COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DRAFT HORSES 115 



example, length and depth, balance and carriage. The 

 action of the horse must also be carefully inspected. The 

 groups as a whole may first be paraded about the ring 

 following in single file, after which individuals may be 

 taken one at a time and the action studied and compared. 

 Each horse should be examined by the judge from the same 

 points of view, that his comparisons may be uniform. 



Reasons for positions assigned a ring of horses may be 

 demanded from a judge at any time, and should be always 

 willingly given. In fact, a more instructive service would 

 be rendered at our shows if judges were to make a state- 

 ment to the ringside why awards are made as they are. 

 Modern methods of education in our schools and colleges 

 require the student to give the instructor his reasons for 

 making his decisions. In the various student judging con- 

 tests, such as at the International Live Stock Exposition 

 at Chicago, the National Dairy Show, and in state and 

 county competitions, the student is usually graded for his 

 placings and reasons for making the same. The students 

 are given a limited amount of time for placing the ring, 

 after which they are taken aside and allowed time for giv- 

 ing oral or written reasons. In the International Live 

 Stock Show judging contests, eighteen minutes are al- 

 lowed a contestant, "to make his observations, record his 

 placings, and write such memoranda as he may desire." 

 Bach contestant is later called before the judges and al- 

 lowed two minutes to give reasons for his placing of a 

 ring. At the National Dairy Show, written reasons are 

 required, the student being allowed fifteen minutes for 

 writing his reasons for placing a group. An example of 

 student method in giving written reasons, is herewith 

 offered, as perhaps suggestive and helpful to some not 

 entirely familiar with this work. This is an exact copy 

 from classroom work, written by one who had no thought 

 of its publication here. It is not perfect, but presents a 

 method of expression in placing a ring of four Percheron 

 mares : 



