Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 451 



depends upon proper position of the legs and feet, that great attention 

 should be given to this point. The legs must come straight down and 

 the toes point straight forward to insure true action. 



Feet. — The size of the foot should be proportionate to the size of 

 the horse. Roundness and size of hoof-head, width at the heels, and 

 height at both heel and toe are important. The discussion regarding 

 the sole, bars, frog, denseness of horn, etc., as given in connection with 

 draft horse type, applies here with equal force. 



Action. — The requirements of action in the carriage horse are: 

 (1) trueness, (2) height, (3) length of stride, (4) collection, (5) elastic- 

 ity, (6) boldness and power, (7) gracefulness of movement, and (8) 

 moderate speed. The walk must be snappy, quick, and businesslike 



Fig. 171. — The carriage horse in harness. Compare this picture with Fig. 

 174 and note the difference in height of action, type of vehicle, and weight of harness. 

 This is the noted Hackney mare Bountiful, owned by Judge W. H. Moore of Chicago. 



to a marked degree. But it is at the trot that action is wholly revealed. 

 The flight of each foot must be straight and true. The fore foot should 

 be carried forward and high up, as if following the rim of a rolling 

 wheel, and the stride should be long. The foot meets the ground 

 easily and without apparent jar, in fact the step appears elastic, and 

 the meeting with the ground seems to send the foot on again as though 

 it were made of rubber. Every movement must show grace and style, 

 and the whole attitude of the horse should be one of combined courage 

 and power. 



