CHAPTER VI. 

 JUDGING HORSES. 



FUNDAMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS. 



Uses. — Before placing a value on a horse or giving it a 

 rating in the show ring or otherwise it is necessary to have 

 a definite knowledge of the particular character or kind of 

 work to be performed. The horse, like the dairy animal, 

 has a specialized function or work. In the former this is 

 dependent largely on locomotion in one or more of its various 

 phases. Whatever the character of work to be performed, 

 whether for draft, for racing or for pleasure purposes, the 

 degree of perfection of the organization, which, either in its 

 parts or as a whole, is responsible for locomotion, measures 

 the value of an animal. 



Block animals may be temporarily or permanently im- 

 paired in structure and still possibly render an acceptable 

 service to mankind in meat production. This is essentially 

 true under certain conditions, considering the comparatively 

 short period of usefulness of the block animals. While in 

 the breeding classes of block animals locomotion is impor- 

 tant, it is secondary to other considerations, and therefore 

 of less importance than in the horse. If the structure of 

 the horse is so injured through disease, accident, or from 

 unsoundness, or the conformation is faulty, either in body 

 or limb, it reacts directly and most forcibly on the value 

 of that animal for any specialized purpose. Speaking from 

 a broad viewpoint, a horse must work to be useful, and 

 to work continuously and satisfactorily to the maximum 

 capacity calls for a well-balanced individual in body, limb, 

 and mental attainments. 



A proper study of the horse necessitates a knoAvledge of 

 the structure responsible for the activities in the organization 



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