THE EXTERNAL CONFORMATION OF THE HORSE. 
57* 
in a somewhat summary manner, let us turn for a moment to 
scales of points used in judging horses. In order to demonstrate 
the position we have taken with regard to them, we reproduce 
our advance bulletin upon the subject, but wish to say in addi¬ 
tion, that from information gained from numerous contributors 
we think the most satisfactory way to arrive at a scale of points 
which could eventually be looked upon in the light of authority, 
would be through a National or International congress, made up 
of delegates from the different breeds and classes of horses, and 
let their decision as to what is required govern all association 
show rings. 
The replies to the advance bulletin are to be counted by the 
hundreds, and, after reading them all carefully, the conclusion 
reached was that if it were possible to put them into a bag and 
shake them up thoroughly, the scale of points as we have 
arranged them would come out with so little change that one 
would hardly recognize it, although many writers took exception 
to the intrinsic value of all points on the body of a sound horse 
being equal (in this case a value of 5), some saying that the 
hock is of more importance than the head and consequently 
should have more points ; but (leaving unsoundess out of the 
question), does not the head as often spoil a good horse as the 
hocks ? Another says it is hardly fair to allow as much for the 
croup and dock as it is for the chest, but are there not as many 
horses injured from illy formed croups and crooked docks as 
from badly formed chests ? And similar questions may be asked 
throughout the entire list. 
It has also been suggested that one score card be arranged 
that will include all breeds and classes, the strong points of the 
different kinds of animals being emphasized in such a manner 
that they are not liable to be overlooked. 
These and other questions are the ones which we think can 
only be settled by a congress of representative horsemen. We 
do not presume to offer anything more than the suggestion here. 
Some horsemen are strongly opposed to judging horses by 
scales of points, and while there may be many good reasons why 
