l6 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



from the ground to the point of your chin when standing 

 erect. Stand facing the horse close to his left side and 

 note the height of the withers as compared with your 

 chin. Gradually train the eye to estimate height 

 unaided. 



In draft horses the desired height is from i6 to 17.2 

 hands, with the average approximately 16.3 hands. This 

 should be due to depth of body instead of length of leg. 

 In driving horses the height is exceedingly variable, but 

 should be at least 15 hands. This should be due in a large 

 measure to length of leg. The card does not give a 

 numerical value to height in the draft horse for, as a rule, 

 if he is heavy enough he will possess sufficient height. 

 For driving eight points is a perfect score. 



Weight. — The draft horse must weigh at least 1,600 

 pounds. This weight should be due to strong bone, 

 heavily muscled, as well as to large proportions, and not 

 the result of excessive fatness. Weight holds the horse 

 to the ground, enabling him to secure a foothold against 

 which to exert his strength. Weight brought forward is 

 power in itself and the greater the weight to bring for- 

 ward the greater the power derived from it. This is of so 

 great importance that on the market draft horses are 

 divided into classes according to their weight : Light 

 draft, weighing 1,600 to 1,700; medium draft, 1,700 to 

 1,800 and heavy draft, 1,800 pounds and up. For the 

 draft horse eight points is a perfect score. 



Among light horses, weight is considered of minor im- 

 portance and no numerical value is given to it on the 

 card, as the horse that meets the height requirement and 

 possesses sufficient action will, as a rule, be heavy enough 

 to fill the. demand. ■'. • 



Form.^ — The draft horse should be broad, deep, mas- 

 sive, evenly proportioned and symmetrical, the entire 

 make-up suggesting great strength and weight. The 

 body should be blocky and compact, with short, broad. 



