36 JUDGING HEAVY HORSES 



clear of the ground and placed down evenly as if in delibera- 

 tion. From the side it may be noted that if the hind and 

 fore legs work in unison. Horses with short bones and long 

 underlines present the best view from the side while in action 

 but on the other hand those with long backs and weak loins 

 usually drag their legs in a slovenly way. Viewed from 

 behind the action of the hock should be carefully noted. 

 The flexion in this region should be free and straight. It 

 is a common weakness of the hocks to be turned outward 

 when raised, but more frequently the hocks are bent in too 

 much and the feet thrown out of line. As a rule the stride 

 should not be too long but well balanced with a movement 

 quick and elastic. 



59. Trotting Action. The ability to trot well is not gen- 

 erally considered a valuable attribute for a draft horse, as it 

 is claimed that to walk well is a much more useful achieve- 

 ment. Good trotting action, however, is not only valuable 

 in itself but it also brings with it many other qualities such 

 as activity, style, balance of conformation and other features 

 that are desirable in any class of horses. The draft horse in 

 trotting should go level, straight and regular, for any devia- 

 tion from these qualities are usually evidences of unsound- 

 ness or the absence of a balanced conformation. The legs, 

 both fore and hind, should flex freely at the hocks and knees, 

 for a rigidness of movement of these is indicative of defects 

 of some kind. A stilted hock action is much too common 

 in draft horses and is very often due to the fact that the hock 

 is not properly set as may be observed in all hind legs that 

 are too straight. Such are usually lacking in reach and 

 power. 



//. Structural Examinatioii. 



60. Head — Lean, Medium Size. Coarseness of the head 

 is a prevalent fault. While it should be of only medium 

 size there should be sufficient breadth between the eyes and 

 the face lines should be clearly defined with the total length 



