SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT 523 



a breeder and importer Mr. Singmaster submits 

 these views: 



"In my opinion, tbe chief characteristics of a 

 Percheron stallion are these: a head of good length 

 and breadth, broad between the eyes, wide-open nos- 

 trils; eyes full and rather outstanding, rather than 

 deep-set or in any way out of normal; a gracefully 

 curved and massive neck; broad and heavy shoul- 

 ders; a deep-ribbed body; a back well developed 

 from the point of the shoulder and of graceful sym- 

 metry; medium-closely ribbed at the point of the 

 hip; the hindquarters slightly narrower than the 

 shoulders; a gently sloping and rather long hip; the 

 legs to match this body — a good, straight limb, a 

 flat bone of rather heavy type ; long, springy pastern 

 joints; good, dark-colored hoofs of above medium 

 size, and clean legs both front and rear. He should 

 also have a heavy tail, docked at 9 inches for beauty 

 of carriage, and still long enough to brush away 

 the flies. There are other points, but these should 

 assist the inexperienced purchaser in guarding his 

 own interests. The stallion's weight in selling con- 

 dition should be 2,100 jwunds and in breeding 

 condition 1,950 pounds. I prefer the dark or steel 

 gray or black colors, without markings other than a 

 star in the face. Plenty of bone to support the 

 body is essential, but abnormal bone is rather a 

 weakness that foretells an early breakdown or rough- 

 ness of limb. 



"The breeding season in our latitude should not 

 be earlier than April 1. The stallion should be put 

 on the road for exercise a month earlier, so as to 

 harden him for producing fertile semen. "We would 

 not increase his feed of bright timothy hay and oats 

 until he is put to breeding; then increase the amount 

 fed and add small quantities of clover hay or alfalfa 



