184 JUDGING JACKS, JENNETS, AND MULES 



cannot be criticised absolutely. Considered from the utility 

 standpoint, the general form and appearance of the ass is 

 subject to much less criticism than when compared with 

 the horse. Beauty and appearance are exemplified largely 

 by the type of animal under consideration. 



Form Scale and Quality. Criticisms of the ass, other 

 than the general differences ascribed in comparison with 

 the horse, are the lack of shape, definition, and finely drawn 

 features. The shoulders are not as sloping, the ribs usually 

 not as well sprung, the hindquarters not as well developed 

 or muscled, and there is not as much definition, quality, or 

 refinement in the bones and joints. There is a general lack 

 of smoothness and coordination of parts, although this is 

 usually more apparent in the head, neck, and hind- 

 quarters. 



The height and weight of the ass varies considerably, 

 this depending on the breed and condition of the animal. 

 In the more approved types, the height approximates 16 

 hands. In selecting a jack for breeding, consideration 

 should be given to the mating which is to be made. If the 

 jack is selected for mating with a mare, the height is not as 

 important as when selected for mating with a jennet. A 

 larger, rangier animal and one with more height is desirable 

 for this purpose. The weight of necessity is determined 

 largely by the height and type of the animal, the weight 

 ranging from 900 to 1 100 pounds in the better bred and more 

 desirable types of the approved breeds. 



The quality of the ass is determined in identically the 

 same manner as in the horse, although there may be quite 

 varying differences in the coordination of the structural 

 development of the animal. In the horse lack of quality 

 is usually general, while in the ass it is more frequently the 

 result of a lack of coordination in structure, although it may 

 be generally faulty, the same as in the horse. 



Soundness and Condition. The ass and the mule are pro- 

 verbially less subject to unsoundness than the horse. This 

 is due largely to the structure, especially of the feet and the 

 use to which the animals are subjected. Condition is largely 

 determined by the care and management given these animals. 



