100 A TREATISE ON HORSE-BREEDING. 



those which show unmistakable evidence of 

 high breeding and quality should be patron- 

 ized, for here, as in all other cases, the mere 

 fact of importation alone should not commend 

 a horse to popular favor. 



Another class of horses for which the demand 

 is almost unlimited is the blocky, compact, low 

 but quick-stepping and active draft horse. For 

 use on our farms and for ordinary work they 

 are wanted of from 1,100 to 1,300 Ibs. weight. 

 For our omnibuses and express wagons the 

 demand is for the same style of horse, but 

 heavier, weighing 1,300 to 1,500 Ibs., while for 

 carts and for heavy freighting they can scarcely 

 be too large, provided they are sound, hardy, 

 and active. The great trouble with horses of 

 this class is a lack of endurance. Too many of 

 them have broad, flat, brittle hoofs, or the op- 

 posite extreme of contracted, narrow heels; 

 both are to be avoided. Many of them have 

 unsound joints, especially at the hocks; and the 

 bone is round, beefy, and of a coarse, porous 

 nature. In selecting breeding stock to produce 

 this class of horses especial regard should be 

 had to these points. The hoof should be full 

 arid of good size neither flat nor contracted at 

 the heel. The legs should be clean and flat; the 

 joints firmly corded, free from curbs, spavins, 

 and beefiness. The flank should be full and 

 low, for that indicates a good feeder. The chest 



