THE DRAFT TYPE 



95 



amply supporting the knee ; and viewed from rear or front, 

 should be quite flat, thus representing the strongest conformation. 

 Often the cannon is tied in beneath the knee, which indicates 

 weakness. A long or rounded cannon shows faulty conforma- 

 tion. Flatness and shortness below the knee are always asso- 

 ciated with the best development. A fair girth at the smallest 

 point is 93 inches. A large girth, however, does not always indi- 

 cate proper development, as the leg may be coarse and out of 

 proportion. 



The fetlock, or, as it is often called, the pastern joint, must 

 be smooth and deep, with no roughness. 



The pastern is an important part of the leg. It should be 

 fairly long, be perfectly smooth and free from extra flesh, and 

 stand at an angle of about 45 degrees. At this slope concussion 

 is received in perhaps the least degree, and with least injury to 

 the foot and leg. There is some difference of opinion among 

 horsemen on the length of pastern, some preferring one reason- 

 ably long and others one of medium length. The slope is more 

 important than the length, but no doubt better feet prevail where 

 the pastern leans toward length rather than shortness. Side- 

 bones, ringbones, and other foot troubles are most prevalent 

 with short, straight-pasterned draft horses. As the horse natu- 

 rally places the foot in action, the pressure first comes on the 

 frog and is then distributed over the rest of the foot. If the 

 pastern is straight, the toe and front of the foot strike first, 

 and thus the concussion is greatest. 



The foot ought to be large, the hoof dense and preferably 

 dark in color, the sole concave, and the frog large. There is an 

 old saying, " No foot, no horse." Sound feet are absolutely 

 essential to comfort and efficiency of work. The interior of the 

 foot contains very sensitive nerves and membranes. If the foot 

 is too small and contracted, if the frog is too narrow and low, 

 inflammation of the membranes will frequently follow. The ample 

 foot, wide on top and behind, well supported at the heel, and 

 carried true in movement, turning neither in nor out at the toe, 

 is least likely to be troubled with disease. 



The body should be short on top, long below, broad along the 

 back, with the ribs strongly arched and of great depth. A long 



