150 JUDGING LIGHT HORSES 



In contradistinction to the heavy harness group, light 

 harness horses, as the name suggests, possess less weight, a 

 more rangy and upstanding body, a deeper body in propor- 

 tion to the width, longer and thinner muscles, more reach 

 in the stride, and all-around lower going action. This 

 group should be characterized by just the reverse of the 

 heavy harness type, which is characterized by high action 

 with a degree of flexion, depending on the particular class 

 under consideration. 



Quality. Quality is an essential characteristic in animals 

 which perform under severe strain. This is particularly 

 true of the light harness horse which may be subjected 

 to moderate road driving or to the severest trials on the 

 track. Quality is indicated by a clearly defined head, fine, 

 dense bone, with no inclination to meatiness, smooth, well- 

 made joints, fine, silky hair, and in general, a finish indicative 

 of hard, wearing qualities. Undefined features, open, spongy 

 bone, characterized by meatiness, rough, open joints and lack 

 of symmetry and finish indicate just the reverse of what 

 is wanted in speed and endurance requirements. Animals 

 of this group should look and appear as possessing the hard, 

 enduring usage which is required of them. 



Durability. Durability is an attribute which is usually 

 associated with an animal possessing the quality attainments 

 formerly described. As the term indicates, every part of the 

 conformation should be of such quality and so constructed 

 in the blending of the finished animal that it emphasizes 

 the possession of durability attributes to the very depth 

 or nucleus of the structure. A strong constitution is indi- 

 cated in a large, well-defined muzzle, large nostrils, large, 

 bright, prominent eyes, and a broad, and unusually deep 

 chest. These qualities are directly associated with dura- 

 bility. 



Temperament. The temperament of the light harness 

 group should be highly developed and active, thus directly 

 opposed to the temperament which characterizes the draft 

 group. Hard, wearing qualities are directly associated with 

 the strong nerve force exhibited in the characteristic light 

 harness horse. 



