JUDGING BREEDING CLASSES 175 



Ponies between 11-2 Hands and 14-2 Hands. — This is a class 

 of ponies of heavy harness or saddle-horse breeding with 

 miniature size. They are used principally for children for 

 purposes where the Shetland and Welsh do not conform well 

 to the requirements. Good solid colors are most desirable, 

 having in this respect more of the qualifications of the mature 

 horse and less of the Shetland pony color attributes. 



JUDGING BREEDING CLASSES.i 



In judging breeding classes, there are certain factors of 

 special significance not considered under the requisites of 

 draft and light-horse attributes. These problems involve 

 conformation, temperament, sex characteristics, and the 

 factors of special significance in judging young stock. 



Breeding Attributes. — The judging of horses for breeding 

 purposes is not radically different from judging such animals 

 from a strictly draft or light-horse standpoint, barring 

 reproductive characteristics. The , principal factors to con- 

 sider, aside from those already discussed, are healthfulness, 

 constitution, and breeding coiiformation. Temperament is 

 important. Special emphasis should always be given to 

 the healthfulness, constitution, and form in judging breeding 

 classes. The type of animal which will make a durable and 

 otherwise satisfactory . draft or light horse will not always 

 be a satisfactory breeder. The draft horse proper should 

 be compact in form, short, and closely coupled. Such an 

 animal would not of necessity make a strong, vigorous 

 breeder, although these characteristics are all important. 

 Capacity should be closely associated with these points. 



The breeding animal should be long in the body, deep, 

 broad and roomy. While compactness or fulness of form is 

 highly desirable, this should not be obtained at the expense of 

 breeding capacity. Breeding requisites are in all essential 

 factors the same as draft form. It is of special importance, 

 however, that the larger, more capacious form be associated 

 with a strong constitution, and a large, strong, fine-qualitied 



' Applicable to draft and light horses. 



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