ACTION 211 



should be carried forward in a straight line. Paddling, 

 or throwing the toes outward as they are carried forward, 

 and winging, the opposite defect, are both equally bad. 

 The hocks should also be carried straight forward. If the 

 points of the hocks turn outward, carrying the toes of the 

 hind feet too close together, the horse cannot get so much 

 strength for pulling and is classed as defective in the hocks. 

 In action, the feet should be lifted from the ground with a 

 snap, and the joints near the feet should be so flexed that 

 the horse will show the sole of each toot when viewed from 

 the rear. 



The horse should also be led straight back toward the 

 judge, so that a front view of action may be obtained. 

 From this view, the judge can get an impression of the 

 carriage of the horse's head, and obtaia a better view of 

 the movement of the feet. The style and life of the horse 

 can also be observed from the front. The judge should 

 also obtain a side view of the horse in action. The stride 

 shovdd be long and springy. " Interfering," or " forging," 

 which is the striking of one foot with another, should be 

 watched for while the horse is in action. 



The walk of the draft horse is somewhat more important 

 than the trot. The walk should be free, elastic, springy, 

 snappy, regular, and straight away. The trot should be 

 free and bold, springy without hfting the body too high 

 from the ground, and should be straight away in the line of 

 draft. The action of a horse should never be passed upon 

 until both walk and trot are observed. 



Temperament. — The draft horse should be energetic, 

 but the fiery disposition of the fast horse is not expected. 

 In temperament, the animal should be quiet, or phlegmatic, 

 as opposed to the more nervous disposition of the horse 



