CHAPTER VIII. 



JUDGING BREEDING DRAFT HORSES. 



THE judging of breeding horses requires consideration 

 of sex characteristics, and those features of conformation 

 essential in the animal used for reproduction. It requires 

 the highest degree of intelligence on the part of the judge 

 wisely to discriminate in selecting breeding animals. If 

 one is qualified to do this, there can be no doubt about his 

 ability to pass on geldings. 



(A) JUDGING THE STALLION. 



The sex character of the stallion is one of his conspicu- 

 ous features. His head is somewhat stronger and larger 

 than that of the mare, and his neck much heavier and 

 thicker, with some strength of arch. When the stallion is 

 in superior physical vigor and spirits, he tends to carry 

 head and neck high, and shows the self-assertion and 

 dominant quality of the masculine sex. He should show 

 marked strength of character in his head, for it expresses 

 much, whether bold and toplofty, or meek and droopy. 

 Some stallions have heads of an effeminate appearance, 

 or resemble the gelding in sexless character. Such heads 

 should be discriminated against by both judge and breeder. 

 One could not expect the best breeding results from a 

 feminine appearing sire. The neck should show some 

 length, rather than be short and steer-like, and be well laid 

 with powerful, long muscles. A strong development of hair 

 at the foretop and top of the neck, is also a feature of the 

 stallion, the hair tending to be coarse rather than fine. 

 The stallion should manifest in his head and especially 

 eyes, something of his character, not easy to define, yet 

 expressing personality, temperament, disposition, and sex- 



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