124 LIVE-STOCK JUDGING 



142. Conformation of the saddle horse. — Special 

 conformation requirements of the saddle type are a saddle 

 back, short, straight and strong ; a light forehand insuring 

 handiness in carrying weight, a heavily fronted horse not 

 only giving a rough ride but being a blunderer, as a rule ; a 

 long, sloping shoulder, longerthan in any other type of horse, 

 to give a free, springy stride ; and high withers, extend- 

 ing well back, the result of the long, sloping shoulders and 

 serving to keep both saddle and rider from working for- 

 ward, giving the impression of much horse in front of the 

 rider, forming the narrow front which affords the most 

 secure seat by favoring thigh and knee grip and ob- 

 viating the difficulty of a wide spread of legs, and prevent- 

 ing the turning of the saddle. Such shoulders and withers 

 are correlated with the long, supple neck so essential in 

 the saddle horse. 



143. Quality of the saddle horse. — Quality, combined 

 with substance, is desired in the saddle horse, quality 

 being especially required of the park saddle classes, while 

 substance is necessary for carrying weight. Quality 

 is characteristic of the blood lines in which most 

 saddle horses are bred ; substance is therefore most apt 

 to be deficient. 



144. Way of going of the saddle horse. — The stride of 

 the saddle horse is distinguished by elasticity, especially, 

 and the safety of the rider demands that he be sure-footed. 



145. Intelligence of the saddle horse. — A well- 

 schooled saddle horse should be thoroughly responsive 

 to the hand of the rider on his mouth, the rein on his neck 

 and the heel on his side ; he should change gaits, canter on 

 either lead, or in a circle, back and traverse at command, 

 all of which requires a responsive mouth and intelligence of 

 a high order. 



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