46 JUDGING HORSES 



and it is because of the close connection between the two 

 features that many breeders consider the characteristic 

 disposition valuable indications of future usefulness for 

 breeding purposes. 



77. Differences in Form. In the development of the 

 sexes marked differences in form result. The true male 

 form is heavier at the shoulders than the female while the 

 latter is wider in the region of the pelvis. This should be 

 borne in mind in critically examining animals of the differ- 

 ent sexes, for it may oftentimes prevent an adverse critic- 

 ism which should be favorable comment. It is not infre- 

 quent to hear the remark passed that a ram for instance, 

 in a breeding class, would be an exceptionally good sheep 

 if he were as wide behind as he is in front. This is thought 

 by some to be the striking defect of our mutton breeds 

 (and perhaps it is) but in many instances it is but the uni- 

 versal pattern that nature has adopted for the male form. 

 A male of any class of stock should be expected to be 

 wider in the chest than behind though it should not be 

 weak in the latter part. Width of hip, however, is not the 

 chief qualification of the female form ; depth in this region 

 or length of the barrel and from rib to hip, is of more im- 

 portance as this makes provision for the proper growth 

 of the foetus. 



78. Variation in Features. There are many marked 

 variations in the features that are characteristic of the dif- 

 ference in the sexes. In the stallion the face has a harder 

 look and the head is larger. The neck is fuller and the 

 crest or swell of the neck is very pronounced and sur- 

 mounted with a heavy mane. The mare has a slimmer face 

 with a softer expression, the neck is thin and often ewe 

 shaped and the mane light and fine. In cattle the face of 

 the bull is more or less burly and covered with wavy hair, 

 the horn is strong and inclined to roundness while the neck 

 ic thick and stout with a full crest. In the cow the face is 

 long, free from wavy hair, the horn light and flat and the 

 neck thin and in-curved on the top line. In sheep the face 



