JUDGING HORSES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS. 7 



The modern draft horse. — The modern draft horse is the result of 

 a demand for great power in hauling heavy loads. This power is as- 

 sociated with weight and has been gained at a sacrifice of speed. 

 While the breeding of draft horses is increasing in the United States, 

 this country has received all of its draft breeds from Europe and is 

 still importing a great many of its breeding animals. All of the draft 

 breeds have distinctive breed characteristics which may be considered 

 by the class after a general consideration of type. All draft breeds 

 conform to the type to be considered. 1 



Terms used in judging. — Before proceeding with a study of the 

 draft type, the student should learn the names of the parts of a horse. 

 It is not wise to assume that the high-school students knows all the 

 terms used in judging. (Fig. 4.) An outline drawing may be used 

 to designate the names of the parts. If drawn upon the blackboard 

 the names of the parts may be erased and the students asked to fill 

 them in. 



The score card. — Some time may be used by the students in the 

 classroom in becoming familiar with the score card which they are to 

 use. They should understand that the score card is a detailed de- 

 scription of a perfect animal designed to aid them in establishing an 

 ideal. The card will also aid them in examining an animal in a sys- 

 tematic manner and give them a sense of relative values in judging. 

 Many different score cards for draft horses have been devised. Varia- 

 tion in score cards is likely to continue, as there will always be a dif- 

 ference of opinion upon the relative value of minor points and upon 

 forms of grouping. The forms given here are used by the Iowa State 

 College. Similar forms are used in a number of other schools. 2 



Students' score card. 



DRAFT HORSES. 



Scale of points for gelding 



Perfect 

 seore. 



Students' 

 score. 



Corrected 

 score. 



1. Age 



General appearance — 16 points: 



2. Height 



3. Weight, over 1,750 pounds. Score according to age 



4. Form, broad, massive, low set, proportioned 



5. Quality, bone clean, yet indicating sufficient substance; tendons 



distinct, skin and hair fine 



6. Temperament, energetic, good disposition 



Head and neck — 6 points: 



7. Head, lean, medium size 



8. Muzzle, fine, nostrils large; lips thin, even 



9. Eyes, full, bright, clear, large 



10. Forehead, broad, full 



11. Ears, medium size, well carried 



12. Neck, muscled; crest high; throat latch fine; windpipe large 



1 For a description of breeds see Breeds of Draft Horses, U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' 

 Bui. 619 (1914). 



2 Score cards may be obtained from most of the State agricultural colleges. 



