Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 467 



pal requirements in conformation are (1) a long, refined neck, (2) 

 nicely sloping pasterns and shoulders, and (3) moderately high and 

 refined withers. The lines of the head should be cameo-like in sharp- 

 ness and clean-cutness. An ideal saddler will naturally have a head 

 showing an unusually kind disposition and high intelligence, for the 

 intimate relation between horse and rider demands the best of manners 

 in the horse and thinking ability on both sides. The head should be 

 set at the right angle on a very long, refined, nicely arched neck. Un- 

 less there is lots of horse in front of the saddle, the appearance is 

 spoiled, and a horse with a short, straight, heavy neck is not easily 

 controlled. There should be easy flexion of jaw and neck, and this is 

 possible only with a long, refined neck, properly arched. However, a 

 "weedy" neck, that is, one lacking in muscular development, is not 

 wanted. Much attention must be given to the slope of pastern and 

 shoulder, for straight pasterns and shoulders are more objectionable in 

 the saddle horse than in any other type because they are almost certain 

 to make the horse a hard rider. Height and refinement of withers are 

 necessary for a similar reason. Horses that are low in the forehand 

 are not comfortable to ride. Furthermore, the saddle cannot be made 

 secure on round, flat withers, this being particularly true of the side 

 saddle. The extension of the shoulder into the back and shortness 

 and strength of coupling are very important. A straight or reached 

 back does not aff'ord an easy ride; there should be a certain degree of 

 springiness, without any weakness or sway-backed conformation. 

 The saddle horse is somewhat upstanding, and the head and tail should 

 be smartly carried. 



Refinement and finish. — The saddle horse should possess a high 

 degree of quality, and lots of smoothness from end to end. There 

 should be greater refinement of head, ear, and bone than in the heavy- 

 harness type of horse. The shoulders should be well laid in, and the 

 hindquarters smoothly turned. The smoothness of the typical saddler 

 is in marked contrast to the angular appearance of the roadster. 

 Rotundity of body is a highly desirable feature. Levelness of croup is 

 more important in the saddle horse than in any other typ^', if a horse 

 has a steep croup, the defect is magnified a great deal when the saddle 

 is placed upon his back, and he presents a plain appearance. 



Action. — The action should be energetic, elastic, of moderate 

 height, and especially there should be trueness of motion in all gaits. 

 Gracefulness and ease of action are very desirable. A springy step 

 resulting from sloping pasterns and shoulders is more essential in the 

 saddle horse than in any other type. A straight-shouldered and -pas- 

 terned horse gives one a ride like a carriage without springs. Collected 

 action, by which is meant harmony or unison of movement between 



