MULES AND BREEDING CLASSES 229 



desire more style and action in the small ponies than is 

 required in the countries to which the ponies are native. 

 Cleanness of bone, freedom from all unsoundnesses, sym- 

 metry of body, and all the other essentials of a good horse 

 should be found in ponies. 



JUDGING MULES 



The mule is produced for work in warm climates and 

 should be judged as a work animal. The mule type, how- 

 ever, is different from that of the work horse. Height is 

 one of the most important factors in determining the value 

 of a mule, size being very important. QuaHty is also given 

 great consideration, mules of good quality selling better 

 than rough ones. The same relationship of parts that ob- 

 tains in the case of horses should be found in mules. The 

 feet of the mule are long and narrow Kke those of the ass, 

 and should be of as good quaHty as horses' feet. 



JUDGING BREEDING CLASSES 



In judging breeding classes, the judge should first be 

 familiar with the tj^e sought for by the best breeders. 

 This presupposes a knowledge of the breed and breed re- 

 quirements. Even though one animal may be better fitted 

 for market and may be more useful than another, it is not 

 eligible for highest rank in the show ring if it lacks the type 

 set forth in the standard established by the breed association. 



Unsoundness and poor conformation should be looked for 

 with great care, because, while unsoundnesses are not in- 

 herited directly, the predisposition toward them is inherited. 

 Blemishes that would lower the market price of the animal 

 •> are not so serious in breeding classes, although they are 



