

THE HEAVY HARNESS HORSE TYPE 



full, muscular development, yet is entirely free from the thickness 

 of draft-horse character. A ewe neck is out of place in this class. 

 Much of the style and symmetry of the heavy harness horse at 

 rest is seen in the carriage and make up of head and neck. The 

 neck should blend smoothly in its attachment to the body. 



The chest of the heavy harness horse has neither the thickness 

 of the draft .horse nor the narrowness of the Thoroughbred, but 

 should be a happy medium, deep, with the breast carried out in 

 some prominence. Too broad a chest prevents a free, easy gait. 



FIG. 20. Brigham Pearl, a Hackney mare and a great example of the heavy har- 

 ness type. Note the maximum stride, but one foot touching the ground. From 

 photograph by courtesy of the owner, S. L. Howe, Vancouver, British Columbia 



The shoulders of the heavy harness horse are long and oblique, 

 sloping well into the back, with withers somewhat prominent yet 

 refined. A steep shoulder prevents strong, rapid movement and 

 produces hard action, conducive to defects of feet and legs. High 

 or free knee action is dependent on a long, well-laid, muscular 

 shoulder. 



The body of the heavy harness horse should be round, short on 

 top, and long below, the ribs being long and well arched and the 

 back and loin covered smoothly with strong, thick muscle. The 

 loin, in particular, calling for strength, should be level, broad, and 



