118 LIVE-STOCK JUDGING 



possess quality, as indicated in texture of bone, hoof and 

 hair, and refinement of head and neck, in order to increase 

 the wearing properties and to improve the general appear- 

 ance. Quality is not natural to the draft horse, since he 

 is primarily gross, but as much as is consistent with the 

 required substance should be sought. 



131. Temperament of the draft horse. The nature of 

 the work of the draft horse requires that he be steady and 

 easily handled, hence his lymphatic temperament stands 

 him in good stead, unless it makes him absolutely sluggish, 

 which he should not be. 



132. Way of going of the draft horse. Since the most 

 approved systems of draft horse management prescribe 

 that he shall work at the walk, it is important that the walk, 

 in his case, should be developed to its greatest possibilities. 

 He should move at this gait with a powerful, yet snappy, 

 free and true stride. He may be trotted for inspection, be- 

 cause the trot magnifies all features of the walk, and for a 

 draft horse to be able to trot well gives assurance of 

 mechanical excellence which will serve him equally well 

 at the walk. 



133. The speed type (Fig. 51). This type is extremely 

 opposed to the horse that has already been described. Speed 

 performance calls for maximum pace with a minimum 

 impost of weight to be pulled or carried. Instability of 

 equilibrium is the measure of speed; therefore, the type 

 in general is one in which there is the least opposition to 

 the rapid and repeated displacement of the center of 

 gravity which takes place with each stride and in the direc- 

 tion of the leading foot. In addition to the rapidity with 

 which successive strides can be taken, the length of the indi- 

 vidual strides determines the speed . Muscular contraction, 

 therefore, must be greatest in degree as well as most quickly 



