JUDGING HORSES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS. 29 



detract from the value of the horse, although they are not considered 

 unsoundness. 



COMPARATIVE JUDGING. 



The score card has been used in order that the student might estab- 

 lish in his mind an ideal of a draft horse. The judging so far has 

 been a comparison of the horse judged with the ideal. The use of 

 the card should have trained the student to examine the horse in a 

 systematic manner, taking in all details. After these aims have been 

 attained the student is ready for work in comparative judging; that 

 is, in comparing a horse with other horses in place of comparison 

 with the score-card ideal. 



In considering the superiority of one horse over another, it is 

 necessary to merge details into more inclusive qualities or characters 

 which affect values directty, such as size, conformation, quality, tem- 

 perament, action, and soundness. It is well to have students begin 

 by making comparisons in simple features, placing the horses as to 

 weight, qualit}', or general conformation. As they become profi- 

 cient in making comparisons, a number of horses may be placed 

 according to their market or breeding values. Horses of marked 

 differences may be chosen at first, and later horses more nearly equal 

 may be used. Each student should write a report covering his rea- 

 sons for placing the horses. These reasons may be graded by the 

 teacher and discussed later in the class. 



DEMONSTRATIONS. 



Demonstrations are usually conducted by the teacher or some ex- 

 pert induced to point out the good and bad points for the benefit of 

 the class. After the students have developed proficiency in judging, 

 a member of the class should be called upon to discuss the merits and 

 defects of an individual or to give his reasons for placing in compara- 

 tive judging in the presence of the animals. 



Judging at fairs. — Competitive stock judging at fairs and stock 

 shows has become very popular in some sections. If these compe- 

 titions are conducted honorably and with the students' development 

 paramount, they have high educational value. Whether students 

 enter a judging competition or not, much may be learned by the stu- 

 dent at these shows. A progressive teacher will take advantage of 

 live-stock exhibitions and will aim to organize the students and super- 

 vise their visit so that maximum results may be obtained. The better 

 fairs not only give the students an opportunity to see the best horses 

 of the section represented, but they also give them an opportunity 

 to observe the methods of judges of experience. The work of the 

 judges should be observed closely by the visiting class, and explana- 

 tions of reasons for their placing noted carefully. The fairs give an 



