JUDGING HORSES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS. 29 
detract from the value of the horse, although they are not considered 
unsoundness. 
COMPARATIVE JUDGING. 
The score card has been used in order that the student might estab- 
lish in his mind an ideal of a draft horse. The judging so far has 
been a comparison of the horse judged with the ideal. The use of 
the card should have trained the student to examine the horse in a 
systematic manner, taking in all details. After these aims have been 
attained the student is ready for work in comparative judging; that 
is, in comparing a horse with other horses in place of comparison 
with the score-card ideal. 
In considering the superiority of one horse over another, it is 
necessary to merge details into more inclusive qualities or characters 
which affect values directly, such as size, conformation, quality, tem- 
perament, action, and soundness. It is well to have students begin 
by making comparisons in simple features, placing the horses as to 
weight, qualit}^ or general conformation. As they become profi- 
cient in making comparisons, a number of horses may be placed, 
according to their market or breeding values. Horses of marked 
differences may be chosen at first, and later horses more nearly equal 
may be used. Each student should write a report covering his rea- 
sons for placing the horses. These reasons may be graded by the 
teacher and discussed later in the class. 
DEMONSTRATIONS. 
Demonstrations are usually conducted by the teacher or some ex- 
pert induced to point out the good and bad points for the benefit of 
the class. After the students have developed proficiency in judging, 
a member of the class should be called upon to discuss the merits and 
defects of an individual or to give his reasons for placing in compara- 
tive judging in the presence of the animals. 
Judging at fairs. — Competitive stock judging at fairs and stock 
shows has become very popular in some sections. If these compe- 
titions are conducted honorably and with the students' development 
paramount, they have high educational value. Whether students 
enter a judging competition or not, much may be learned by the stu- 
dent at these shows. A progressive teacher will take advantage of 
live-stock exhibitions and will aim to organize the students and super- 
vise their visit so that maximum results may be obtained. The better 
fairs not only give the students an opportunity to see the best horses 
of the section represented, but they also give them an opportunity 
to observe the methods of judges of experience. The work of the 
judges should be observed closely by the visiting class, and explana- 
tions of reasons for their placing noted carefully. The fairs give an 
