222 JUDGING HORSES 



JUDGING LIGHT HORSES 



In the light horse, long and slender bones and muscles 

 are found. The levers and angles in the conformation of 

 the light horse are all so arranged as to give the maximum 

 speed, which is attained only at the loss of strength. The 

 light horse is rangier and less compact in conformation than 

 the draft horse. It ig more refined as to quality, having 

 finer and cleaner bones, and more clearly defined tendons. 



Weight. — The weights of Kght horses range from looo 

 pounds or less in the case of light roadsters to 1 500 ' 

 pounds in the case of the heavy harness or coach horse. 



Height. — There is also great variation in the height of 

 light horses, but horses less than 14 hands high are con- 

 sidered as ponies. 



Form. — In form, the light horse should be symmetrical 

 and stylish; and instead of the blockiness of the draft 

 horse, ranginess should be sought. 



Quality. — The quality of the Hght horse is easily studied 

 because there is less flesh upon it than upon the heavy horse. 

 When the hand is placed upon the animal, the coat should 

 feel soft and silky, and the skin fine. When rubbing down 

 over the cannon bones, one should feel no superfluous meat 

 beneath the skin, which should appear to fit the limbs of 

 the horse much as a glove fits the hand. 



Action. — Attention to action is more important in judg- 

 ing light horses than in judging draft animals. The trot 

 is, in this case, more important than the walk, and in the 

 roadster types speed is sought as well. The walk should 

 be fast, elastic, and straight, and the stride should be long. 

 In the trot, great freedom of motion and " snappiness " are 

 required. In action, the body should not be raised too high 



