JUDGING HORSES OF LIGHT 1IAHXKSS TVPK 143 



The hind feet, as explained elsewhere (page 103), arc not 

 so round as the front ones, while the sides are straighter, 

 the heel higher, and the frog narrower. 



The action of the light harness horse is one of its most 

 important features, for without excellence in this regard 

 he becomes distinctly inferior in importance. The walk 

 should meet all the requirements of correct action al- 

 ready described. Further, the walk should be free and 

 easy, the feet being picked up with snap and placed 



Fig. 77. "The action of the light harness horse is one of its most im- 

 portant features." (Courtesy The Horse Review.) 



back on the ground with decision, with no tendency to 

 stumble or drag the toes. When standing behind the horse, 

 the flexing of the joints should clearly show the glisten of 

 the shoes as the horse walks away. The trot or pace, how- 

 ever, rather than the walk, is the especial feature valued 

 in the light harness horse. High knee action is not sought, 

 but rather the long stride, in which the forward and back- 

 ward reaches are carried to maximum efficiency. In other 

 words, extreme extension is associated with great speed. 

 Therefore, as the judge stands at one side and watches the 

 light harness horse pass by, the relationship of flexing to 



