CHAPTER V 



THE ROADSTER TYPE 



The roadster, or light harness horse, occupies a class by itself, 

 representing a lighter type of driver than the coach horse. Such 

 a horse is desirable for speed, in rapidly conveying along roadways 

 a light driving vehicle. The American trotter or pacer is the 

 common type used for this work. Speed and endurance seem 

 to be the principal points sought in the roadster, and less uni- 

 formity of type is found in this class than in any other. Light 

 harness horses vary widely in height, weight, and conformation. 



The best type of roadster stands from 15;^ to 15I hands high 

 and weighs about a thousand pounds. In conformation this horse 

 tends to be angular, the muscles and joints showing prominence, 

 with the ribs more or less noticeable. There is proportionately 

 less body and more leg, a thinner neck, with muscularity at the 

 croup and quarters. 



Discussed in some detail, the following are the more important 

 characteristics in the roadster. The head as a whole is lean, 

 small, refined, denoting intelligence, spirit, and vigor. The neck 

 is inclined to be slender and long with a straight top, though ewe 

 necks are not uncommon among mares and geldings of this class. 

 The shoulders are quite oblique and long, and are set deep in the 

 back, ending at the withers, which are sharper and more promi- 

 nent than in any other type of horse. The long sloping shoulder, 

 with powerful muscle attachment, accounts for the long and pow- 

 erful front reach of the roadster when in motion. The arm should 

 be large for the size of the horse, and the fore arm very mus- 

 cular, being wide and thick at the top, with muscle well carried 

 down, and from elbow to knee fully twice as long as the cannon 

 bone. The legs show prominent and strong development, with 

 the tendons most prominent and very free from fleshiness. The 

 leg of the roadster is often lacking in depth at the upper part of 



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