172 A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



of the carriage horse for the city coach trade, high knee and 

 hock action being especially valued. The roadster or trotter 

 of first class must have a long, active, true stride, such as 

 always goes with superior speed. 



Quality in the horse is shown in the hair, the skin and 

 bone, and in the general appearance. A fine, silky coat of 

 hair; a thin, mellow skin; and fineness of bone, are features 

 that show refinement, or quahty. A big, rough head; large 

 ears for the size of the body; wiry, heavy hair; too large 

 joints and coarseness of bone, indicate lack of endurance 

 and weakness of constitution. A large, coarse bone is more 

 porous and less strong in proportion than one that is finer 

 and smaller. Fineness and softness of skin is an indication 

 of good secretions and healthy internal organs. In an ani- 

 mal of quality we find the most durabihty and stamina, or 

 power of endurance. 



The disposition of the horse is usually seen in the promi- 

 nence and character of the eye and the carriage of the ears. 

 If the eye is prominent, the whites clear, and the expression 

 pleasant, the disposition will probablj^ be good. A small, 

 sunken eye indicates a bad temper. Too much emphasis 

 can not be placed on the relationship of the eyes to the dis- 

 position, for in general here is an excellent indicator of the 

 mental attitude of the horse. Ears that are usually carried 

 erect or that point forward show a good temper, but, if 

 the horse has a tendency to throw the ears back suddenly, a 

 mean spirit is evident. A lopping about of the ears is evi- 

 dence of laziness. 



The height of the horse is usually expressed in "hands," 

 a hand being equal to 4 inches. The height is measured in 

 a vertical line from the ground to the top of the withers. A 

 horse 16 hands high would stand 64 inches from the ground. 



The weight of the horse, in a degree, indicates to what 

 class he belongs. A mature horse weighing 2,000 pounds 

 would natiu-ally Ije a heavy draft animal. If weighing 1,000 



