A FEW GROUPS OF HORSES 237 



temper; that the judging of horses becomes exceed- 

 ingly difficult. It seems that some directions "as to how 

 one may be least cheated when purchasing a horse " 

 should be given. 



Horses naturally fall into a few groups. The draft- 

 horse of laborious work, the coacher, the roadster, 

 the runner (thoroughbred), the saddle-horse and the 

 children's horse or pony. Some of these groups over- 

 lap each other, and, while a good roadster or 

 thoroughbred may make a tolerable saddle-horse, they 

 cannot be first -class in their own group and also 

 first-class in another group. There is still another 

 class of horses, which does not belong to any group. 

 They are nondescripts, that is a mixture of unknown 

 blood or mixed blood in unknown quantities; careless 

 breeding seldom produces valuable animals. An animal 

 with no marked or striking characteristics in any 

 direction never attracts a good horseman. 



In judging a horse, one should first classify him 

 that is, think of him as belonging to some one of the 

 groups; for an animal may be good if used for one 

 purpose and very poor if used for another. However, 

 there are some characteristics which all horses should 

 have in common; therefore our first discussion may 

 be along general lines. 



It is desirable that all horses should have good 

 eyes, sound limbs and feet, good temper, and be free 

 from serious blemishes and vicious habits. 



It is far easier to detect some blemishes and some 

 objectionable traits if the animal be examined when 

 he is quiet. First notice the horse in the stable. If 



