66 



CONKEY'S STOCK BOOK 



LIGHT HORSE All of these types suggest nervous energy and power. 

 POINTS All have longer legs than the draft type of animal, with 



back short and strong. In quality the light horse must 

 suggest refinement as well as strength and endurance. In fact in all light 

 horse types there must be plenty of style and grace to suit the popular 

 requirements. Quality is shown by the thin skin and prominent veins, 

 also by the fineness and length of the mane and tail. Bone substance is 

 in the animal, but here too we look for the same quality of refinement. 

 The animal must have clean, sharply defined tendons. In constitution we 

 look for generous and symmetrical development, but every point must be 

 suggestive of spirit. The flanks must be full; the eyes bright and clear 

 and the nostrils large and sensitive. 



As in the case of draft breeds the score card for light horses calls for 

 plenty of action, 15 points for long, fast, elastic, straight and regular 

 walk, or a trot that is rapid, regular and straight. Seven points go for 

 large, strong, wide, deep, clean, well-set hocks; six points for forefeet of 

 medium size, even and sound, with hoofs dense and waxy, and the same 

 general characteristics for good horse feet as for draft animals. Tempera- 

 ment is also very important for the light breeds; and five points cheer- 

 fully go for spirit and energy, combined with teachableness. Tempera- 

 ment is extremely important since so much of the horse's value depends 

 on training. 



Variation from Draft to Coach and Light Horse Types 



CARRIAGE Of the various types of the light horse breeds the largest is 

 TYPES the coach or carriage animal. The carriage horse stands 



usually 16 hands high, and is suited to heavy harness, with 

 a full, graceful body, high carriage of tail and "coachy" or "trappy" action. 

 The French and German Coach were developed in each case by the na- 

 tional government, out of native mares, by English Thoroughbred stallions, 

 the object being more fitness for cavalry purposes. The French Coach 

 has a considerable mixture of blood, and is not therefore true to color in 

 breeding. The German Coach horse is usually bay or brown. In general 

 the German Coach horse has not quite as good action as the French Coach 

 horse; the latter more resembles the Hackney. Hackneys are the corre- 

 sponding type in England, being the mixture of Thoroughbred blood with 

 that of native driving mares, improved with the Darley Arabian who was 

 imported in 1706. With the Hackney speed is not a consideration, but it 

 has a good walking gait and high knee action. In action, the legs are much 

 flexed and the foot describes a circle. Hackneys are good "park" or other 

 stylish driving animals. They are not so good for the farmer, being a little 

 under size and not especially strong, either in speed or endurance. 



