THE TYPES OF HORSES 37 



mentary splint bones, the flexor and extensor tendons, the suspen- 

 sory ligament, a variable amount of connective tissue, and the 

 skin and hair. The total circumference may, therefore, be con- 

 siderable and yet not represent real bone. The bony structure 

 itself is made up of inorganic and organic constituents; the 

 former are the more essential to wear and determine the texture. 

 As a matter of fact, coarse texture of tendons, ligaments, and 

 bones tliemselves, together with too much connective tissue, a 

 thick hide, and coarse hair, tend to increase size in tlie canon 

 region Avithout increasing the wearing qualities of the bone. It 

 is therefore real, and not apparent, bone which counts, and the 

 eye and hand are more reliable than the tape line for determining 

 its amount. Furthermore, the object of ^^ big bone " is not to 

 insure against fracture of the horse's leg but to furnish joint 

 surface of sufficient area and durability to insure the horse re- 

 maining sound under stress of the wear to which it is subject in 

 the course of its work. The bone of the canon region is, there- 

 fore, but an index after all. 



8. Quality, n ot being correlated with substance, is more diffi- 

 cult of attainment in a draft horse, but there is an increasing 

 favor expressed for more refined heads and necks, general finish, 

 and better texture of bone, hoof, and hair. As much quality as 

 is consistent with the required substance is desirable. 



9. Temperament of the draft horse is generally lymphatic, 

 but sluggishness is discriminated against. Wliile the nature of 

 his work requires that the draft horse be steady, jiatient, and 

 readily tractable, it is, nevertheless, essential that it be per- 

 formed willingly and with some snap and aggressiveness. Dis- 

 position should be good to offset frequent provocation. 



10. Way of going. Most drivers, for well-regulated draft 

 horse stables, are instructed to walk their teams both when loaded 

 and light, and experience seems to justify such action. In the 

 first place, a draft horse must walk at least one-half his time, 

 and if he is never allowed to trot he acquires a rapid, snappy 

 Avalk which will accomplish as many miles in the course of a 

 day's work as can be done by the horse which is compelled to trot 

 and allowed to walk only for the purpose of resting. The weight 



