HORSES OF HEAVY HARNESS TYPE 



155 



the standpoint of action alone, the higher the knees and the 

 hocks are lifted, the more valuable is the horse, provided the 

 type and other features more common are equally satisfac- 

 tory. The feet must be thrown forward without any dish- 

 ing on either side, and the hocks must pass each other close 

 and in line with the forward movement. It is easy to under- 

 stand that while this method of movement is the most showy 

 and stylish, it is not serviceable action for a road horse. 

 The front legs soon succumb to the heavy concussion they 

 would be called upon to stand under heavy driving. But 

 this action is sought only in the horse that is used for drives 

 about the city where style is paramount to speed and 

 stamina. While it is recognized that the high-stepper 

 should have as many as possible of the other qualities of 

 excellence in addition to high action, yet all others are con- 

 sidered of minor value among horses of this class. 'All- 

 around action only to be considered,' is the current phrase 

 in the prize lists that provide classes for competition 

 among the high-steppers, which means a combination of 

 shoulder, knee and hock action." Judges should carefully 

 study the action from the three points of vantage, front, 

 rear and side, and place a proper premium on all these 



Fig. 84. — "Such horses are now Infrequent, though they are still to be seen 

 at the horse shows." (Courtesy The Pictorial News.) 



