BREEDS OF HORSES 93 



discounted in buying a draft horse for work or breeding and, in 

 judging, one should note the development of muscle rather than fat. 

 A draft colt should weigh approximately 100 pounds for each month 

 of age at 12 months. A horse is mature at five years old, but 

 should attain practically full weight a year or so earlier, and if pure- 

 bred, weigh 1600 or over at three years. 



In scoring mature draft horses reject those under 1600 pounds 

 in weight. Cut immature draft animals for lack of development 

 with respect to age. A young animal, not yet mature, should weigh 

 proportionately to the mature one and be cut if markedly under 

 weight for age. 



Form. The form of the draft horse should be broad, deep, mas- 

 sive, evenly proportioned and symmetrical, the entire make-up sug- 

 gesting great strength and weight. The body should be blocky, and 

 compact, with short, broad, clean, well set legs showing fine skin, 

 large joints and prominent tendons. Perfect, 4 points. 



The entire appearance of the draft horse should be indicative 

 of strength for heavy hauling. A massive body, set squarely on 

 sturdy legs, is required. Discount the horse for marked departures 

 from such form. 



Quality. Good quality is shown by fine, bright, silky hair; 

 soft, pliable skin; clean, well defined tendons; smooth, well devel- 

 oped muscles; strong, smooth bones. It usually is associated with 

 style, spirit and intelligence indicative of breeding. Perfect, 6 points. 



The term quality is applied to the evidence of refinement, as 

 opposed to coarseness, grossness, and sluggishness. Symmetry, high 

 spirits, lively action, endurance, all should be observed. Quality is 

 plainly evidenced when the legs are free from meatiness, appear 

 broad, flat, and, when showing feather (the long hair under knees 

 and hocks) , this springs as a silky fringe from the rear of the ten- 

 dons. Quality is the opposite of grossness and combines grac with 

 great weight and power. Excessive quality may denote weakness, 

 slimness. narrowness and lightness of bone. It is then highly ob- 

 jectionable. 



Action. The draft horse should walk spryly, with regular, 

 straight steps and elastic tread. The action when trotting should be 

 free, springy and straight. Perfect walk, 6 points ; trot, 4 points. 



A draft horse does most of his hard work at the walking gait. 

 It is therefore important that he should be able to walk fast without 

 tiring. He should be able to walk four miles an hour with a load. 

 To do this the action must be perfectly regular, straight and level. 

 Joints must be quickly and fully flexed ; feet must be advanced and 

 set down without deviation from a straight line. Soles of the feet 

 should turn up and show the shoes plainly as the horse moves away 

 from the observer, at both walk and trot. The feet should be lifted 

 quickly, and evenly, and be set down squarely and firmly. 



There should be no paddling, dishing, or winging in or out, 

 cutting or interfering, nor should the fore legs swing out or roll, 

 or the hind legs be carried too close together or too far apart. In 

 judging of the action the observer must note the movements of each 



