186 A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



and the thickness and depth of body below the placing of 

 neck, which should be smoothly blended into the body. 

 There is quite a good deal of variation in the withers of driv- 

 ing horses. They should not be very sharp, but fairly well 

 muscled and not appear too prominent. Notice whether 

 the back is strong and well carried, with the loins broad and 

 not much depressed below the level of the croup. The well- 

 turned carriage horse will show a fullness of body from 

 various points of view. The greater speed he is capable of 

 making, the more muscular and angular he will appear. 

 This point is illustrated by comparing a carriage horse and a 

 working trotter, each being about the same size, but used 

 for a different purpose. 



The hind quarters of the carriage horse show power. As 

 one stands at one side, the length of croup and its posi- 

 tion are easily seen. A long, strong, high rather than low 

 croup is desired, with the tail having a free, easy, and some- 

 what high carriage. The length from the hips to the point 

 of the hocks should be considerable. 



The distance from the hind flank diagonally across to the 

 setting on of the tail also should be comparatively long. As 

 one stands behind, one should be able to observe some 

 thickness below the tail, where the hind legs merge together 

 into the thick, muscular quarters. A driving horse is not 

 likely to be too thick in the quarters. As one views the 

 horse from behind, the legs should reach back, with the 

 hocks separated aljout four inches, and the lower thighs 

 showing a strong muscular development from both rear and 

 side views. At the stifle joint, where the upper and lower 

 thigh connect, fullness rather than depression should occur. 

 The hocks should be inspected from the front, at one side, 

 and from behind. It is important that they be clean, well- 

 turned, and straight. Careful examination should be made 

 of this part, for the hocks require much study. The occur- 

 rence of bone and bog spavins here, and often a puffy condi- 



