JUDGING HORSES OF LIGHT HARNESS TYPE 141 



behind, one is impressed with a degree of narrowness of 

 body. Width is undesirable from a speed point of view, 

 and no great race horses have been notably wide. Hayes 

 states that he is convinced that no race horse can be too 

 narrow in front, for the width of frontage is essentially 

 that of the body. Persons familiar with the trotter or 

 pacer, recognize that while the body may show plenty of 

 capacity for the various organs, this capacity is seen in 

 depth rather than in width. The high elevation of the 

 withers, and their lean, long appearance, add to the gen- 

 eral effect of depth of body. So also a rib formation 

 showing ample length, yet only moderate spring or arch, 

 is in harmony with the desired conformation. The back 

 of the race horse should be short and strong, for the 

 longer it is, the weaker will be the muscular connection 

 essential in speed production. So also should the loin be 

 short, broad and thick, indicating strength. 



The hindquarters of the light harness horse often stand 

 at a slightly higher elevation than the forequarters at the 

 withers, and have a lean and somewhat angular appear- 

 ance. The hips should be less fleshed over than in the draft 

 horse. The croup should be long and muscular, and tend 

 to be level from between the hips to setting on of tail. 

 Steepness of croup is quite common among light harness 

 horses, especially pacers, a side view showing a marked 

 slope. In the case of the trotter the croup is carried 

 higher and in better form. Hayes states 4 that, "to have 

 the point of the buttock placed high and projecting well 

 to the rear is a great beauty, which may be seen in some 

 Thoroughbreds and in high-caste Arabs." The gaskin 

 should be long, broad and muscular. Differing from the 

 draft horse, length and strength of gaskin muscle are es- 

 sential if speed is to be secured, for by these only can 

 increase of motion be obtained up to the end of the stride. 

 The stifle joint should be fairly high, and face outward 

 enough to permit freedom of motion. The hock of the light 



4 Points of the Horse, p. 311. 



