HORSES FOR SMALL HOLDINGS. 49 



neck must be very broad and of short or medium length. 

 The limbs require to be squarely placed under the body, and 

 should be very stout. The fore-arms, the thighs, and the 

 gaskins cannot be too muscular. The hocks should be broad 

 and large in shape, while the cannons, both in front and 

 behind, require to be short. The feet must be fairly large, of 

 good shape, and wide and open at tJie heels. 



TemperaiYient.- — As regards disposition, farm horses 

 should be active and willino; to work, but withal gentle and 

 l)lacid. As their work is always performed at a walking pace, 

 it is of great importance that they should possess good walk 

 ing" action : their walk must be free and quick and long- 

 striding. 



Faults to Avoid. — In selecting a farm or team-horse, 

 the followino^ faults must be avoided: a lons' or narrow back, 

 weak loins, a loosely-coupled body, a narrow breast, want of 

 muscle at the breast, a flat chest, a narrow barrel, a tucked- 

 up belly, a long neck, want of breadth and thickness of neck, 

 badly placed legs, thin limbs, too lengthy limbs, want of mus- 

 cle in the fore-arms, or thighs, or gaskins, small and narrow 

 hocks, very straight hocks, sickle-hocks,* very long cannon- 

 bones, either in front or behind, and small or badly-shaped 

 feet. In addition to the faults of shape enumerated, a sulky 

 temper, lazy disposition, want of activeness. when at work, 

 and a slow and cramped walking action greatly decrease the 

 value of a horse intended for farm work. 



Strength and Power — The strength and power of a 

 Jraught horse is dependent upon its size, weight, and mus- 

 cular development. A big horse possesses greater powers 

 of draught than a small one, and the weightier a horse is 

 the more weight can it throw into the collar, and the greater 

 will be its pow-ers of draught. On the other hand, a very 

 big and heavy horse is less active and slower than a smaller 



• The term sirkle-hoc'.v denote.^ a hock wliicli is vc^ry mueli licnt at 

 the jonit, 



E 



