LESSON TWELVE 
WHAT SHAPE SHOULD A HORSE BE? 
1. Head.—Measure the length in a straight line from 
the top of the head to the point where the lips come to- 
gether. In an ideal head, this measurement will be two- 
fifths the height of the horse at his withers. In draft 
horses, the head tends to be relatively longer, while in 
running horses it may be rela- 
tively shorter. The width of the 
forehead should be more than 
one-third the length of the head. 
The head is twice as long as the 
distance from the forehead to the 
point of the lower jaw. There 
should be good width between 
the jawbones, because between 
them pass the windpipe (trachea) and the gullet (cesoph- 
agus). If these are restricted, the lung power and the 
digestion may be reduced. Too short a distance from 
eye to ear compared with distance from eye to lips is an 
especially bad feature. It indicates a sullen, morose dis- 
position, probably associated with a lack of intelligence. 
A wide forehead, large nostrils, well-situated eyes, ears 
widely separated and larger space between jawbones go 
together and constitute a good head. 
Goop Heap 
2. Neck.—Measure the distance from the base of the 
ear to the middle front of the neck where it joins the 
shoulder. Under ideal conditions this length is equal to 
that of the head, The head and neck serve the same pur- 
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