THE CLASSES OF HORSES 



57 



leg bclo^v the hock directed more downward and forward (Fisr 

 47). ^ ^' 



True pacers, as a rule, are longer in legs, lower in the fore- 

 hand, with longer, steeper croups and more bent hocks than the 

 trotter. The size of the light harness horse is too variable to 

 be defined by any but the widest limits. If horses of this type 

 are of good size, well made, stylish, straight gaited, even though 

 not possessed of extreme speed, and have good manners, they 

 are classed as gentlemen's road horses (Fig. 48). On the' other 

 hand, extremely fast horses, either at trot or pace, whether they 

 have anytliing else to recommend them or 

 not, are classed as speed horses (Fig. 49). 



Road horses are hitched singly or in pairs, 

 while speed horses are seldom used to pole. 

 The road wagon is the typical roadster hitch, 

 while speed horses are hooked to bike sulkies, 

 or speed wagons, the lightest type of vehicle 

 built to meet the amateur requirements, which 

 call for a four-wheeled wagon. Speed horses 

 are classified according to their record 

 performances. 



Saddle Horse Division. — The saddle 

 horse Avas primarily a utility horse, as a 

 matter of necessity, in jDioneer times prior to 

 the construction of roads and vehicles, but 

 he has become in a.ddition a most popular 

 source of pleasure, with circumstances 

 attending his use so diversified as to call for a variety of types. 

 Some horses are ridden for the ease with which they carry one, 

 A\'hile others are used for the exercise and liver stimulation which 

 they aiford. Then, again, some are ridden in a dignified manner 

 in the parks and on the boulevards, while others are ridden 

 " rough" in the field and cross country. The distinction be- 

 tween the first two, in this country, is very largely one of school- 

 ing and trimming, although the English type of walk-trot-canter 

 saddle horse is quite distinctive in breeding and general make-up. 



The ra^e horse is the truest exponent of the speed type, but 

 is used essentially as a saddle horse, a galloper, and is therefore 



Fig. 47.— The bent 

 hock-joint. 



