BREEDS OF HORSES 39 



His underpining should be of the very best, his cannons broad and 

 clean, and hoofs of a dense, tough horn of a waxy nature. 



Action. The Express horse is required to do his work both 

 at the walk and trot, the latter being the principal gait. He should 

 be quick and active, able always to keep his feet well under him 

 and throw enough weight into the collar to move a heavy load at 

 the walk or a lighter load at the trot. As in the previous classes 

 he should be a straight-line mover with possibly a little more knee 

 and hock action. 



DELIVERY WAGON HORSES. 



Delivery Wagon horses or as they are often termed Wagon 

 Horses are similar to the Expressers, but the class is broader in 

 its scope, including horses of common and inferior grades as well 

 as medium, good, and choice. Generally speaking they are not so 

 large as Expressers and not as high grade animals ; most mercantile 

 firms are not such liberal buyers and consequently they get a 

 cheaper grade of horses. However, this is not always true as some 

 of the large department stores whose deliveries serve as an adver- 

 tisement will pay more for the very best than express companies, 

 thus getting very choice animals. 



Conformation, Height, and Weight. The conformation re- 

 quirements are practically the same as for Express horses, except 

 they are not quite so large, standing from 15 to 16 hands and 

 weighing from 1100 to 1400 pounds. 



Action. The action requirements are the same as for Express 

 horses in most cases, though some are not so good actors. 



Demand. The demand for Express and Delivery Wagon 

 horses is good at all times of the year, though it is a little stronger 

 prior to the season when parcel-carting is greatest, such as during 

 the Holiday season and spring months. The demand for good to 

 choice Express horses is greater than the supply and as a result the 

 express companies are obliged to purchase from other grades as best 

 they can. 



ARTILLERY HORSES. 



Artillery horses conform very closely to the better grades of 

 Delivery Wagon horses of the same weight. The following speci- 

 fications, prepared under the direction of the Quartermaster Gen- 

 eral of the United States War Department, clearly set forth the re- 

 quirements. 



The artillery horse must be sound, well bred, of a superior 

 class, and have quality; of a kind disposition, well broken to 

 harness, and gentle under the saddle with easy mouth and gaits, 

 and free and prompt action in the walk, trot, and gallop ; free from 

 vicious habits; without material blemish or defect, and otherwise 

 conform to the following descriptions: 



A gelding of uniform and hardy color, in good condition; 

 from 5 to 8 years old; weighing from 1,050 pounds, minimum 

 weight for leaders, to 1,200, maximum weight for wheelers, depend- 

 ing on height, which should be from 15-1 to 16 hands. 



Head. Small and well set on neck; with cars small, thin, neat, 



