96 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE 



back indicates weakness of both constitution and draft power, 

 while a short, deeply muscled back means strength. If the ribs 

 are well sprung and deep, it shows capacity of the internal 

 organs, indicates a good feeder, and materially adds to the 

 weight necessary in the drafter. Usually satisfactory rib devel- 

 opment provides a proper body conformation. Often immature 

 horses appear to lack depth of body to some degree, but age 

 and feeding establish the proper proportions. The horse that 

 lacks depth of body will also lack such essentials as capacity 

 and the power of endurance. 



The loin should be broad and thickly muscled. Narrow, thin 

 loins indicate weakness of a serious character. Often the loin is 

 depressed directly in front of the space between the hips, a dis- 

 tinctly undesirable conformation. Animals with a sway back as 

 a rule show this weakness of loin. 



The croup should be broad, wide, fairly level, and heavily 

 muscled. A steep croup is very objectionable, and affects 

 both the beauty and power of the horse. A short, steep croup 

 is less strongly muscled than one that is long. The Belgian 

 and French draft breeds seem most subject to steepness of 

 rump and low setting of tail. 



The thigh should be strongly muscled, and the quarters should 

 be thick and full. A horse split up high behind, with a thin, 

 sharply tapering thigh, lacks good draft form at this place. The 

 gaskin, or lower thigh, when properly made, is deep from front 

 to rear and heavily covered with muscle. 



The hock is a part which requires careful study. As viewed 

 from one side, it should show considerable depth, while from 

 the rear it should possess a certain degree of thinness, though 

 broad in front, the entire joint being free from extra flesh. 

 Thick hocks are very common with draft horses, due to various 

 reasons. The joint may be fleshy, puffiness may occur from lack 

 of exercise, or a form of spavin may exist. The hock should be 

 smooth and its various natural curves well defined. As the 

 horse stands in a natural position on his feet, the hocks should 

 be straight and true as viewed from behind, showing no evidence 

 of weakness. Where the hock holds a true position the hind 

 feet also stand true, neither toeing in nor out. When toeing 



