HORSES 385 



use the breeds most favored are the American Trotter, the 

 American Saddle horse and the English Thoroughbred. 



4. Judging Horses 



The horse is to many people the most interesting animal 

 on the farm. The satisfaction and profit from horse raising 

 depend very largely on the breed, class and grade. For 

 these reasons all who are interested in farm animals should 

 learn to judge horses readily and accurately. 



The score-card. Before undertaking to use the score- 

 card in actual judging, the pupil must become thoroughly 

 familiar with all its points, understanding fully the re- 

 quirements for a perfect score under any point. With this 

 ideal in mind, the animal is to be examined, and the score 

 put down on the card. Do not be afraid to mark off for 

 all bad points. It takes a good animal to grade eighty per 

 cent, when marked by a trained judge, and an exceptional 

 one to grade ninety per cent. Judges do not usually mark 

 closer than one-fourth per cent, on any point. 



5. Common Defects and Unsoundness in Horses 



Any defect or unsoundness lowers the value of a horse. 

 All who have to do with horses should be able to identify 

 the more common faults, and know their causes. (See Pur- 

 due Circular, No. 29.) 



Defects of head, eyes and ears 



1. Poll evil; sore on top of head, caused by bruises. 



2. Blindness; either with or without defects of eyeball. 



3. ''Blue-eyed"; a peculiar bluish color, may indicate blind- 



ness. 



4. Over-mobile ears; showing viciousness or blindness. 



5. Immobile ears; showing deafness or lockjaw. 



