CHAPTER VIII. 

 JUDGING LIGHT HORSES. 



Classification. — Light horses are divided into four rather 

 distinct groups or types which include heavy harness, light 

 harness, saddle horses, and ponies. Under each of these 

 groups or types are classed the various breeds and classes 

 representing or conforming to the standard requirements. 

 The four main types included are those recognized from the 

 market and show yard standpoint. The pure-bred represen- 

 tatives of these types are represented in the coach breeds, the 

 American Standardbred,i American Saddle Horse, Thorough- 

 bred Running Horse, and the Shetland, Welsh, and Hackney 

 pony breeds. 



HEAVY HARNESS GROUP OR TYPE. 



The distinguishing marks of the heavy harness group or 

 type are principally the form, symmetry, finish, and action. 

 Unless these qualifications are possessed in all important 

 details horses belonging to this group will neither show nor 

 sell to advantage. Their value is fixed largely by these 

 qualifications. Contrasted with the other light types of 

 horses, they are smoother, closer knit, have more finish, 

 symmetry, and action. The head should be medium in 

 size, clearly defined, the eyes large and the forehead broad, 

 thus showing great intelligence. The face should be straight, 

 the muzzle large, the nostrils open, lips thin, and the angle 

 of the lower jaw-bone wide. The throat-latch should be 

 clean, the neck of medium length, depth, smoothly muscled, 

 and set well back on clearly defined, oblique shoulders. The 



> Bred to standard requirements. See official trotting and pacing standards, 

 page 152. 



(133) 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



