CHAPTER VII. 

 JUDGING DRAFT HORSES. 



DRAFT GROUP OR TYPE. 



THE term draft is significant of weight, massiveness, 

 and, therefore, the development of power. An animal 

 possessing these qualifications has certain definite attributes 

 which qualify it for work of this character. The draft type 

 is divided into three generally significant classes, namely: 

 drafter, logger, and chunk. 



Draft Conformation. The form of the draft horse should 

 be massive and compact. Animals of this type should 

 be low set, wide and deep in the body, with strong bone 

 and deep muscling, both of which are characteristic of the 

 horse with power attainments. These attributes should be 

 correlated so that the animal possesses perfect symmetry 

 throughout. A draft horse properly made should be low 

 set, square and compact and at the same time symmetrical 

 from every angle. Weight properly distributed is the first 

 essential of a draft animal. Based on weight alone, a horse 

 might possess sufficient weight, yet because of long legs and 

 a rangy body such an animal would not be acceptable on 

 the market or in draft service. 



From a structural viewpoint the head should be long, 

 broad and deep, yet symmetrical with the other parts of 

 the body. The neck should be of sufficient length and depth 

 to harmonize perfectly with the weight of the animal. The 

 head and neck should blend smoothly, and the neck should 

 deepen gradually toward the shoulders, which should be long 

 and sloping, and extend well back in order to give strength 

 in the back, proper style, and symmetry. A moderately 

 sloping shoulder on a draft horse is usually associated with a 

 short back, which is characteristic of a typical draft animal. 

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