FUNCTIONAL POINTS IN JUDGING AND SELECTION 53 



Horses. — The judging and selection of the horse differs 

 fundamentally from other animals because of the relation 

 of its disposition, temperament, soundness, and action to 

 its value in the breeding or commercial world. A horse 

 must possess all these additional attributes to make it 

 most acceptable and serviceable. 



Unlike most other farm animals the principal value of the 

 horse lies in the amount and quality of work which can be 

 performed. This of necessity requires strict observance to 

 the special attributes named. The horse should therefore 

 be examined in and out of the stable. While customary 

 student or show ring judging will not permit this additional 

 examination, it is important that it be accomplished when 

 conditions warrant. 



An examination of the horse in the stall will reveal many 

 of the vices which mar and prevent a ready sale of an other- 

 wise valuable and well-formed animal. The most common 

 vices detected in the stall are cribbing, weaving, wind sucking 

 and halter pulling, all of which lower the value of an animal 

 materially. Unsound feet or legs may also be frequently 

 detected by the position in which the animal stands. When 

 the weight is thrown on one leg or foot, either in the fore- 

 quarters or hindquarters, there is indication of lameness or un- 

 soundness. Weak or imperfect eyes may also be determined 

 by the size, shape, and condition which they assume when the 

 animal is brought from a dark stable into the outside light. 



After the test of the eyes is completed it is of vital im- 

 portance to examine the condition of the wind carefully. 

 Unsound wind is detected by hitching the animal to a vehicle 

 and giving severe exercise. Any questionable unsoundness 

 of wind from collar or harness adjustment should be decided 

 by having the harness readjusted or by exercising the ani- 

 mal vigorously under the saddle. After stopping the animal 

 suddenly, the judge should advance quickly to the nostrils 

 and note the character of the breathing. If it is character- 

 ized by a wheezing sound the probable trouble is either 

 roaring or whistling. When the breathing is irregular or 

 spasmodic the animal is likely affected with the heaves. 

 In the latter case, the air is apparently partly expelled 



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