160 LIVE-STOCK JUDGING 



special features which distinguish trotter and pacer from 

 runner and jumper, i.e. a lower forehand, a longer, more 

 sloping croup, greater relative length from elbow to knee, 

 and from hip to hock, resulting in the hocks being set 

 farther back, and necessitating a more abrupt deviation 

 of the hind legs downward and forward to the ground. 

 The head of the Standardbred is of good size, not espe- 

 cially fine, but clean cut, the neck of medium length, lean 

 and straight. The way of going is most characteristic. 

 Whether at trot or pace the gait is distinguished by 

 the length and rapidity of the individual strides, and the 

 level, true, frictionless manner in which they are executed. 

 Furthermore, the instinct to trot is well marked. Colors 

 are not at all uniform although bays predominate. 



Undersized and ill shaped individuals with ewe necks, 

 goose rumps, bent or rounded hocks and tied-in cannons 

 are too common. 



176. The Thoroughbred. As indicated by the name, 

 this is the purest breed of horses, except the Oriental, from 

 which they are derived. They were the first to be im- 

 proved and the first for which pedigree records were kept 

 and a stud-book established. They also have been bred 

 for about two and one half centuries with running speed 

 as the sole consideration. The typical Thoroughbred is 

 characterized, therefore, by the strongest evidence of breed- 

 ing and refinement, together with a racy form and tem- 

 perament. The most representative individuals (Fig. 80) 

 stand near sixteen hands, and weigh 1000 to 1100 pounds. 

 They are rangy, with that length of legs, body and neck 

 which is conducive to a long stride. They conform 

 strictly to the speed form, in fact, are the truest exponents 

 of the speed type, distinguished from the trotter and pacer 

 by greater range, better development of the forehand, more 



