MANAGEMENT OF THE STALLION 
13 
same size as the mare, his bone tends to he heavier, his muscles more 
prominent and his frame more powerful. The sexual organs should he 
perfectly developed, and the judge should note that the scrotum consists 
of a double sac and prominent enough to bear evidence of being on a 
breeding animal. A stallion with a single testicle is known as a ridgling, 
and is at least open to criticism in the show ring, though he may not be 
a non-breeder. 
“The general body conformation of the stallion should show closeness 
of coupling and strength of back, but plenty of length of middle. Some 
persons favor much compactness of body, but if properly coupled and 
the back strongly sustained, then the body itself may have length to 
advantage. The shoulders of the stallion are also usually somewhat heav¬ 
ier and more prominent than on a gelding or mare, giving a thickness 
in front expressive of masculinity tand power. 
“The size of the stallion usually exceeds that of the mare though not 
to a notable extent in many cases. However, a draft stallion weighing 
2,000 pounds, might be a satisfactory size, while the female of the breed 
at 1,700 would meet all requirements. It is not unreasonable to expect 
the male to weigh three or four hundred pounds more than the female. 
Most men desire comparatively large, rather stretchy types of stallions, 
and these weigh distinctly more than the low set, compact, chunky sort. 
This type of stallion stands higher than the mares, and is larger and 
coarser in every way. 
“The constitutional vigor of the stallion should also receive considera¬ 
tion. This is shown in the strength and character of the head, but is 
especially seen in the prominence of breast and the depth and fullness 
of chest. The degree of width of chest will depend upon the type, the 
draft stallion showing more than the lighter sort, but this should not be 
extreme. It is important that the forerib be well arched, but even more 
desirable that it be long, and so account for a strong heart girth and full 
flank. Not only this, but a long forerib is sure to be associated with 
general depth of body, feeding capacity and vitality. A horse with shallow 
body and long legs cannot stand up under work, and does not show the 
constitution that the deeper bodied, lower set one does. Constitutional 
vigor in the male is regarded of prime importance, and judges should 
give it due recognition. 
“The temperament of the stallion will be shown in a degree, according 
to his type, the heavy draft horse being somewhat quieter and more 
phlegmatic than the lighter type. In general, however, when not over¬ 
worked, the stallion shows an animated, aggressive character, with evi¬ 
dence of much reserve nervous force. If overworked, he loses much of 
his fire and ambition. In the city of Paris there are thousands of draft 
stallions stolidly pulling away enormous loads, quiet and indifferent as 
to what is going on about them, giving little evidence of the naturally 
bold temperament of the sex. The stallions should be active and alert, 
yet not nervous and irritable. His disposition is usually good, but he 
will bear watching for he may be unnecessarily playful with either teeth 
or feet.” 
2. Unsoundness and Diseases Affecting Selection 
The Wisconsin stallion law 10 provides that any of the following diseases 
shall disqualify the stallion from service: Cataract, amaurosis (glass 
eye), periodic ophthalmia (moon blindness), laryngeal hemiplegia (roar¬ 
ing or whistling), pulmonary emphysema (heaves, broken wind), chorea 
(St. Vitus dance, crampiness, shivering, stringhalt), bone spavin, ring¬ 
bone, side bone, navicular disease, bog spavin, curb (with curby con¬ 
formation of the hock), glanders, farcy, maladie due coit, urethral gleet, 
mange and melanosis. The state of New York, 11 however, disqualifies 
the stallion from standing only when affected by any incurable or con- 
