JUDGING HORSES OF LIGHT HARNESS TYPE 139 



degrees. The shoulder and pastern have much work in 

 common, and if the speed is great, or the work severe, the 

 pastern will bear up under it best, if long, strong, and 

 springy. Severe concussion will not be so likely to occur 

 with such a pastern. If short and stubby, the gait will be 

 hard and slow, and foot trouble may very likely result. 

 It will be well to note here, however, that on soft ground 

 conditions are more favorable for the short, less oblique 

 pastern. On the hard American race track and ordinary 

 highway, the long, oblique pastern results in a minimum 

 concussion. The long pastern allows for greater movement 

 of the fetlock joint, an essential if speed is desired. It is 

 important that the pastern should not be too sloping, as 

 occasionally occurs, with the fetlock extending back of the 

 foot to a marked degree. This is a defect due to a weaken- 

 ing of the tendons and ligaments above. 



The foot of the light harness horse does not differ from 

 that of the draft horse, excepting in degree. Besides being 

 smaller, it no doubt has a tougher hoof than that of the 

 heavier horse, and consequently is less inclined to wear 

 away and take on bad form. The feet should be of medium 

 size, good mates in both size and shape ; be wide at the heel 

 and not too low set at this point, and have well developed 

 frog, and strong bars. The length of heel should be about 

 one-third the length of the front of the hoof. Such a foot 

 withstands the severe concussion of heavy driving, and en- 

 ables the horse to do his work without discomfort as far as 

 the feet are concerned. The judge is not likely to over- 

 estimate the importance of the feet, and if he turns a horse 

 down for defective under-pinning, his work will be com- 

 mended by critics, rather than otherwise. 



The position of the front legs of the light harness horse 

 when at rest, is correctly described under the discussion of 

 the draft horse, on page 88. 



The body of the light harness horse differs from that 

 of the draft horse, in being smaller and having a greater 

 relative depth than breadth. As viewed from in front or 



