38 



TYPES AND BREEDS 



of the draft horse is so great and the surface he walks over so 

 hard that concussion is a big factor in endurance and durability, 

 and concussion is increased immeasurably at the trot. Condi- 

 tions of traffic in most city streets are such as to make trotting 

 impracticable. However, any draft horse should be able to trot 

 well. The trot accentuates all features of the walk, so that to be 

 able to trot well insures a good walk (Fig. 33). 



The draft horse gait, then, is the walk, a powerful, prompt, 

 swinging stride of as much length as the short legs will allow. 



Fig. 33. — The wav a draft horse should be able to move. A powerful, straight, free 

 stride, hocks sharplv flexed, well under and close together, good knee action but no rolling 

 or pounding in front. 



The notion that a longer legged horse, with his longer stride, can 

 accomplish more is not borne out in experience, except witli 

 mules. A leggy drafter lacks coordination in his movements, 

 which counts against him in the course of the day, even though 

 his single stride is longer. Furthermore, correlated with his 

 leng-th of leg is a general deficiency in draftiness. 



There is a tendency in massive draft horses to roll or paddle 

 in front and go wide behind, on account of their broad fronts and 

 thick thighs. This is objectionable, if very marked, as it results 



