142 



JUDGING FARM ANIMALS 



harness horse lacks the fleshy tendency of the draft horse, 

 is leaner and more sharply defined. This joint, if superior 

 speed is to be attained, must be right in conformation and 

 position. The hock should be straight and open enough to 

 allow the cannon bone to hold a vertical line. A leg of 

 such conformation has maximum power of extension in 

 producing high class speed. It is not an uncommon sight 

 however, to see race horses possessing great speed, with 

 curved hocks — especially pacers — that, when at rest, show 

 the cannons placed slightly forward and beneath the 



Fig. 76.- 



"The croup should be long and muscular, and tend to be level 

 from between the bips to setting on of tail." 



body. Jay-eye-See was a good example of this sort. Never- 

 theless, such a hock does not admit extreme extension. 

 This being so, the judge should emphasize the importance of 

 the straight hock and properly placed cannon. The leg 

 below the hock should be free of all fleshiness, and show 

 superior quality. The hind pasterns, it is to be noted, are 

 somewhat more upright than those in front, but not enough 

 so usually, to cause injurious concussion or affect speed. 



