90 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE 



height, and as the weight increases, the height may also bear a 

 relationship to it. Quality and substance, as shown in hair, bone, 

 and joints, should be preeminent with this horse. The hair 

 should be fine and silky, even if long, and the bone smooth and 

 attractive, with neatly turned joints, the lower limbs being gener- 

 ally free from all superfluous fleshiness. Coarse joints are usually 

 associated with coarse and poor bone and feet and often with a 

 coarse and undesirable head. The long hair on the leg of the 

 Clydesdale or Shire is indicative of quality, fine silky hair being 

 associated with superior bone and feet. 



The head should be lean, not out of proportion with the body, 

 and have plenty of breadth between the eyes, which should be 

 reasonably prominent and bright. The nose and muzzle should be 

 broad yet not coarse, with nostrils of ample size for easy breathing. 

 Nicely matched lips and strong cheeks and lower jaws help to 

 make a strong head with character. The head should be crowned 

 with fine ears of medium size, gracefully placed and carried. 



The neck of the draft horse should be strong and muscular, 

 supporting the head cleanly and gracefully and being joined 

 smoothly and deeply at the body. Some arch to the neck is 

 desirable ; this should appear in a very small degree with mares 

 and geldings, yet enough to suggest power. 



The shoulders should not be as long and sloping as with a 

 light driver, but more upright, being well set into the back — a 

 happy medium between the straight and sloping shoulder giving 

 the best power and movement for the draft horse. Too straight 

 a shoulder promotes excessive concussion and bone trouble of 

 the limbs and feet. Smoothness of shoulder is essential, for 

 roughness and prominence will be sure to involve soreness and 

 trouble from fit of collar. 



The chest should be full and deep, indicating large capacity 

 of the vital organs. Narrowness behind the shoulders is quite 

 common and indicates defective constitution. Too much thick- 

 ness of chest — an unusual occurrence — • may cause a swaying 

 movement in action. 



The ann must be large and muscular and placed so as to 

 bring the legs in proper position under the body and not standing 

 out at the corners. 



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