Principles Underlying the Draft of the Horse. 493 



fore fcci are raised from the ground, and this is the limit 

 of its power to draw under these conditions. If the traces 

 are moved downward it is clear that there will he less ten- 

 dency to tip the horse up, and hence the greater the slope 

 of the traces the more will be required to raise the horse 

 from his front feet ; and at an angle of 18 to 20 degrees the 

 weight of the horse will permit him to draw double what 

 he can with the traces horizontal. If the traces are carried 

 above the horizontal then the horse is raised from his front 

 feet more easily and his draft will be decreased. 



\J\ _ / 



FIG. 235. Apparatus for demonstrating the principles of draft in the horse. 



It is difficult to get a living horse to demonstrate its 

 full ability to draw in a standing pull, because it is accus- 

 tomed to pull against loads which move. In the case of a 

 horse weighing 1,645 Ibs. a measured standing draft of 

 1,250 Ibs. has been recorded when the traces slanted at an 

 angle of 22, and of 1,120 Ibs. with them horizontal. It is 

 doubtful if any of the heavy draft horses are able to utilize 

 their full weight in hauling except when the line of draft 

 is above the horizontal. 



615. Influence of Weight on the Draft of the Horse. 

 Weight in a draft horse is as important a factor to his ser- 



