HEAVY HARNESS GROUP OR TYPE 137 



ranges from 1150 to 1400 pounds. The color is usually solid, 

 with one or more white points. Brown, dark bay, chestnut, 

 and black are the predominating colors. Specimens of this 

 breed are usually showy in front, although the type varies to 

 a considerable extent. Some animals show too much slug- 

 gishness at times for the best display of style and action. 



The body of the French Coach is longer, and has less depth 

 than the German Coach. The head is broad and of medium 

 length, the ears erect, and the eyes bright and prominent, the 

 general make-up of the head and neck showing considerable 

 intelligence and refinement. The shoulders are usually slop- 

 ing, the back reasonably short, and the underline long and 

 straight. The action of the French Coach is quite character- 

 istic of the heavy harness breeds, showing considerable style 

 and flexion in the execution of the gaits, although there is a 

 tendency for the hock action not to correspond to that in 

 front. The quality is not as well developed as in the Hack- 

 ney, although it is somewhat better than in the German 

 Coach. The temperament is active, although a characteristic 

 not generally as regularly associated with this breed as with 

 the Hackney. 



German Coach. — The German Coach breed is a native of 

 Northwestern Germany. It is bred especially in Han- 

 over, Oldenburg, Schleswig-Holstein, and the district 

 of East Friesland. Representatives of this breed have 

 been variously distributed in this country as Hanoverian, 

 Oldenburg, and German Coach. The breed is characterized 

 by a solid color, either of bay, brown or black, with one or 

 more white points, usually on the hindfeet and in the face. 

 The breed averages about 16 hands high and ranges from 

 1200 to 1450 pounds in weight. The body is somewhat 

 larger and coarser than in the French Coach. On the whole, 

 the breed possesses more scale, less quality, and not as 

 characteristic action as the French Coach. There is an 

 inclination to grossness and meatiness which is objectionable, 

 especially in heavy harness horses. 



Compared with the French Coach, the breed is less 

 rangy, having a closer knit form. The back is shorter, the 

 coupling closer, and there is usually greater depth of body. 



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