GENERAL EXAMINATION 9 



It will be noticed that the form of the loin, the shape of 

 the croup, the fullness of the thigh and quarters are due 

 in the greatest degree to the extra development of muscle 

 in these parts. The front quarter of the horse is bare of 

 muscle in comparison with the hind quarter. 



Another reason for accepting this theory is the differ- 

 ence in the manner of the attachment of the fore legs to 

 the body, compared to that of the hind legs. The shoulder 

 blade is loosely attached to the trunk while the hind leg 

 connects with the body through the agency of an unusually 

 strong ball and socket joint. The shoulder blade plays 

 1 oosely, seemingly for the purpose of lessening the concus- 

 sion the leg receives from contact with the ground, while 

 the hind legs in their connection with the pelvis make a 

 joint that is the most powerful of the body. 



7. Tnree Classes of Light Horses. The light horse in 

 respect to form and other characteristics may be divided 

 into three main classes : the carriage horse, the road horse 

 and the saddle horse. These may be spoken of as the most 

 common types recognized in the market, while the pure 

 bred representatives of them are to be seen in the breeds 

 of coach horses, the standard trotter and the standard 

 saddle horse. 



8. The Coach or Carriage Horse. The distinguishing 

 features of the coach or carriage horse are its symmetry 

 and action. The height should be about 16 hands to make 

 a good appearance. In contrast with the roadster the 

 carriage horse is very smooth and symmetrical. The 

 smoothness should be due to plumpness of the muscle over 

 all parts. In the carriage type the head should be com- 

 paratively small and lean, the ear neat, the neck long and 

 carried gracefully, the body round and plumjp and the 

 limbs clean cut, with well formed and durable feet. Grace- 

 ful carriage and stylish action are leading qualifications. 



9. Analysis of Style. When in any posture, style is a 

 very desirable attribute in any carriage horse. A critical 



