JUDGING A HORSE I7 



clean, well-set legs showing fine skin, large joints and 

 prominent tendons. Perfect score, six points. 



The driving horse should be more upstanding, rather 

 lean, lithe and muscular, having a general appearance of 

 extreriie activity. In this type speed and action is de- 

 sired. Animals of speed possess long bones, long muscles 

 and slightly angular joints. Perfect score, four points. 



Quality. — This is a term rather loosely applied and has 

 reference to the hair, skin, tendons, muscles and bones. 

 Good quality is shown by fine, bright, silky hair; soft, 

 pliable skin ; clean, well-defined tendons ; smooth, well- 

 developed muscles ; and strong, smooth bones. Freedom 

 from coarseness in the hair, skin, tendons, muscles and 

 bones emphasizes soundness and guarantees durability. 

 The best way to determine quality is to run the hand 

 down the legs, over the knees, hocks and cannon bones. 

 The hair and skin should feel soft and pliable to the touch 

 and the bones firm and smooth. The fingers should al- 

 most seem to touch each other as they pass between the 

 tendons and the bones, especially in the light type, where 

 the tendons are well detached. Soundness also indicates 

 quality (p. 42). Perfect score, eight points for draft 

 and ten for driving. 



Action. — While very important, especially at the walk, 

 action is usually considered second to weight in the draft 

 horse. The walk, however, deserves special considera- 

 tion, since it is the principal gait of the draft horse. It 

 should be regular, straight, level and fast. He should be 

 able to walk four miles an hour with a load. While action 

 at the trot is not so essential, it should not be overlooked, 

 as occasionally draft horses are required to work at the 

 trot. There should be no "paddling," "dishing," or 

 "winging" in or out, "cutting" or "interfering," nor should 

 the forelegs swing out or "roll," or the hindlegs be carried 

 too close together or too far apart. Watch closely for 

 lameness. Good trotting action is not only valuable in 

 itself, but it indicates many other desirable qualities, such 



