BREEDS OF HORSES 89 



of these two methods are merely suggested without an attempt to 

 advise specifically which one to follow. 



HOW TO JUDGE DRAFT HORSES. 



The judging of horses is an art to be acquired by careful ob- 

 servation, practice and experience. Not every man has the natu- 

 rally keen observing powers and love of the subject peculiar to some 

 men who become notable experts; yet all may acquire a practical, 

 useful knowledge of the exterior of the horse by methodical and con- 

 scientious study. To become a proficient judge of horses is worth 

 striving after. The attainment gives its possessor personal satisfac- 

 tion, the necessary information for use in breeding, buying, selling 

 and managing horses and enables him to help his fellowmen by 

 counsel in horse matters, or the selection of prize winners in the show 

 ring. Masters of the art wield a mighty influence on the horse 

 breeding operations of the country. 



How to Acquire the Art. A horseman should get into the 

 habit of sizing up every horse he sees. By comparing one horse with 

 another, he will gain experience and be able to estimate correctly the 

 values of component parts and to judge of beauty, symmetry, corre- 

 lation of members and adaptability for breeding purposes or work. 

 After learning the names of the various parts of the horse's exterior 

 he is equipped to analyze the value or deficiency of each and at 

 length will be able to judge quickly and intelligently of the value 

 of the entire combination of points constituting the individual horse. 



A great number of horses must be examined. Then several 

 must be considered together and one compared with the other until 

 each can be placed in its proper position as regards merit and utility. 

 Horses of varying breed, age, type, quality, soundness and service- 

 ability should be used as material for study. Where possible the 

 student of horses should visit horse breeding establishments, sale 

 stables and shows to continue his studies and round out his expe- 

 rience, as soon as a practical knowledge of the work of judging has 

 been acquired. 



How to Examine a Horse. Have the animal led out to halter 

 and stood at ease in an open, well lighted place. View the horse from 

 all directions. In this way an impression of the conformation, 

 style, character and general appearance of the animal and peculiari- 

 ties or excellencies of the various members is obtained. The horse 

 may be moved around, first at a walk and then at a trot, to afford 

 the judge a broadside view. This should be followed by a careful 

 study of the animal as he walks from and to the observer and is then 

 led away and back at a trot. The examination may then follow in 

 detail. This analytical work is often best accomplished by means of 

 the score card. 



The student of horses should learn to use his eyes rather than 

 his hands in judging. The eye is master of the situation. The hand 

 should only be used as an assistant to the eye. It may be used when 

 the eye unaided cannot determine a question of quality, size, condi- 

 tion or soundness. For example, the eye sees plumpness of flesh, but 

 the hand must be used to decide its depth on the ribs or other part; 



