CHAPTER V 



THE LIGHT HARNESS TYPE 



The light harness horse, or roadster, occupies a class by itself, 

 representing a lighter type of driver than the coach horse. Such 

 a horse is desirable for speed in conveying along roadways a 

 light driving vehicle. The American trotter or pacer is the com- 

 mon type used for this work. Speed and endurance seem to be 

 the principal points sought in the roadster, and less uniformity 

 of type is found in this class than in any other. Light harness 

 horses vary widely in height, weight, and conformation. 



The best type of roadster stands from 15^ to I5| hands high, 

 although he may vary even more than this. A desirable weight 

 ranges from 1000 to noo pounds, but stallions as a rule weigh 

 somewhat more, sometimes exceeding 1250 pounds. In confor- 

 mation this horse tends to be angular, the muscles and joints 

 showing prominence, with the ribs more or less noticeable. There 

 is proportionately less body and more leg, a thinner neck, with 

 muscularity at the croup and quarters. 



The head of the light harness horse should be lean and shapely, 

 the profile showing quite straight from poll to nose. There is a 

 tendency for stallions to have a slight Roman profile, and the 

 mares a dished face. Coarseness of head is very objectionable. 

 The ears should be small and refined, the eyes prominent and 

 clear, the nostrils well defined, and the lips thin and evenly mated. 



The neck of the light harness horse is essentially long, lean, 

 and muscular. Stallions tend to have a slight crest of neck, while 

 mares frequently are lacking in depth of this part, having what 

 is termed a ewe neck. Length of neck is naturally associated 

 with speed, while shortness shows draft character. The neck 

 should be flexible and easily bent and extended important factors 

 in establishing equilibrium. 



The shoulders of the light harness horse should be long and 

 especially oblique or sloping, because the horse with a long, oblique, 



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