180 JUDGING FARM ANIMALS 



than with the horse. Hooper and Anderson state ^ that 

 the cannon bone should be 8 to 9i/2 inches in circumference, 

 and specify that a jack 153/4 hands high, weighing 1,150 

 pounds, should measure not less than 9 inches below the 

 knee, and 91/2 inches are better. The feet incline to be 

 smaller and narrower than with the horse, the sole higher 

 and more arched. A large, shapely foot is greatly to be 

 desired. Probably the high arched sole contributes much 

 to the surefootedness of this animal when on steep mountain 

 pathways and roads. 



The body of the jack is narrow, and lacks depth of rib. 

 Therefore the judge should place a premium on ample 

 width and depth of body, indicative of weight and draft 

 form. Hooper and Anderson recommend girth • measure- 

 ment of from 68 to 72 inches about the chest and 66 to 70 

 inches about the loin and fiank. Measurements given by 

 them of a two-year old jack, weighing 1,000 pounds, show 

 66 inches front girth and 72 inches hind girth. This was 

 an "extra high class" jack that sold for $1,500. The hind 

 flank naturally tends to be high, and it is important that 

 this part be so carried that the underline will be long and 

 low, indicative of feeding capacity and weight. 



The hindquarters of the jack naturally tend to be short 

 and steep at the croup, and much more defective in con- 

 formation than in the horse. It is important that the croup 

 be long and wide, and carried as nearly level as possible, 

 but at the best, this will not compare with the well-turned 

 croup on a horse. The thighs also frequently lack in 

 thickness of muscle, and pare off into the gaskins, to pro- 

 duce what is sometimes termed a cat-hammed effect, which 

 is not at all ideal. The hocks are often crooked and there 

 is a tendency for them to stand somewhat close together, 

 with the feet so placed, that the toes point widely out. 

 There is also an inclinaion for the ass to stand with the 

 hind legs extending too far behind. The legs should come 



^Bulletin 176, Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station, Nor. 30, 1913. 

 I. Jack stock of Kentucky. 



