STRUCTURAL EXAMINATION ^ 



of the head proportionate to the rest of the body, It should 

 be well set on the neck and carried gracefully. The nostrils 

 should be large and of a healthy color. A n examination of 

 the mouth, though usually made to estimate the age, should 

 include inspection for the most frequent defects in this region 

 which, in heavy horses are parrot mouth or overshot mouth 

 and troubles of the teeth. The eye should be bright, full 

 and mild with no appearance of film to interfere with the 

 vision. In looking at the eye it is well to remember that the 

 natural shape of the pupil is elliptical, while a spherical 

 form indicates blindness or impaired vision. Haziness of 

 the eye, one being smaller than the other or a wrinkled 

 eyelid are indications of ophthalmia. 



61. Neck Strong, Lengthy. The neck should have the 

 appearance of being strong and massive and also of sufficient 

 length and well arched. Undue length of neck especially 

 in draft horses is so rare that it may be considered unknown. 



62. Shoulders Sloping, Muscular. While a decidedly 

 upright shoulder may give increased power in the shafts, it 

 must be remembered that it may be in an extreme position 

 in this respect, and if so it forces the step to be short and 

 slow. It is easy to see that a moderately oblique shoulder 

 favors a long, quick step and at the same time it detracts 

 but little from the power. When the shoulder is very upright 

 the concussion upon the feet is increased and hence this con- 

 formation is generally associated with sidebones and ring- 

 bones. Activity and elasticity of movement, especially in 

 the walk is a desirable feature of the heavy horse and such is 

 very seldom found in connection with an upright shoulder. 



63. Chest Deep, Full. The chest should be deep and 

 comparatively broad giving great volume and lung room. 

 It is best estimated by the girth, which is the body's circum- 

 ference behind the fore legs. Horses that are slack in that 

 part, are generally of weak constitution without average 

 staying power. Exceptional width in the chest usually 



