CHAPTER IX 



THE COACH OR CARRIAGE HORSE TYPE 



The coach or carriage horse is also frequently called the heavy 

 harness horse. This type is intended for the special purpose of 

 drawing coaches and other vehicles, such as may be commonly 

 seen in every city of importance. It is also of value in light 

 work where a larger type than the American trotter is wanted. 

 A certain size and conformation generally found in the coach 

 breeds are associated with this type. The American trotter of 

 the larger size may, however, furnish the essentials needed in a 

 high-class coach horse. 



The general appearance of a coach horse in good condition 

 shows smooth, graceful body lines, with a general fullness in all 

 the parts. The JieigJit should be about 16 hands and the weight 

 from i ioo to 1250 pounds for geldings or mares. Stallions will 

 usually range from 1250 to 1550, according to breed. In quality 

 the coacher should be superior, showing the best of feet, bone, 

 and hair. Action of the very best, high and strong at both knee 

 and hock, is important, while graceful carriage is equally essential. 

 In general appearance the best type of coach horse shows a long 

 arching neck, round full body, long level croup, high carriage of 

 tail, and what is known as a " coachy " or "trappy " action. 



The head of the coach horse should be lean, graceful, broad of 

 forehead, rather prominent and bright of eye, deep of cheek, 

 and wide and strong in lower jaw, the muzzle fine and nostrils 

 full and open, the ears refined, being neither large nor small, 

 carried close and erect, and turning in slightly at the tips. The 

 head should indicate quality in its leanness, intelligence in the 

 broad, full forehead, and animation in brightness of eye and car- 

 riage of ear and head in general. A smooth, neat attachment 

 of head to neck is highly essential, a fullness at the throat and 

 about the windpipe being most undesirable. 



53 



