ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY New York State Colleges OF Agriculture and Home Economics AT Cornell University SF 115.C7°1908""'™''"'"-"'"^^ Judging live stock. 3 1924 002 924 490 Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924002924490 HIGHLAND SHEEP AT HOME Photo by Reid THE PRESENTATION of this pboto-engraving as a froctis- piece is meant to be a tribute to tlie talent o£ Mr. Chas. Keid, of Wisliaw, Scotland, whose worlc in this direction has shown the degree to which animal photography may be made both artistic and instructive. The sustained merit of the work which he had done has pointed the way to gratifying results, and the outcome has just recently made it possible to Illustrate a book of this kind with all the types and qualities shown as they are, through the agency of photographs madn, by him and such artists as Schreiber of Philadelphia, Hills of Ohio, and Brown of Scot- land. In addition to the clearnesn ot detail in this reproduction of some Highland sheep, note the beauty of the mountain stream with the old water wheel at the side of it, the naturalness of the Dheep, the watchful pose ot the dog, guardlike in position, with the sLepherds resting at the toot of the trees and all in the fore- ground of the rolling hills suggested beyond. Judging Live Stock By JOHN A. CRAIG Proprietor, OAKMORE FARM, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS FORMERLY Editor Canadian Live Stock Journal Professor Animal Husbandry, University of Wisconsin Professor Animal Husbandry and Vice Director Iowa Agricultural College Dean and Director Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College TWELFTH EDITION PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR 1908 328747 COPYRIGHTED 1901 BY JOHN A. CRAIG SET UP AND ELECTROTYPED, JANUARY 1901 REPRINTED, SECOND EDITION, MARCH, 1901 REPRINTED, THIRD EDITION, APRIL, 1901 REPRINTED FOURTH EDITION, JANUARY 1902 REPRINTED FIFTH EDITION, OCTOBER, 1902 REPRINTED, SIXTH EDITION, AUGUST, 1904 REPRINTED, SEVENTH EDITION, 'FEBRUARY 1905 REPRINTED, EIGHTH EDITION, FEBRUARY. 1906 REPRINTED, NINTH EDITION, JANUARY, 1907 REPRINTED, TENTH EDITION, JANUARY, 1908 REPRINTED, ELEVENTH EDITION APRIL, 1908 REPRINTED, TWELFTH EDITION, OCTOBER. 1908 THE KENYON PRINTING & MFG. CO- Des Moines, Iowa Beauty is bought by judgment of the eye. — Shakespeare. ^ntrtrductmn. IN JUDGING LIVE STOCK there are two faculties which * seem to require special development — observation and judgment. The eye must see quickly and accurately, so that there may be no mistake in the observations which are to form the basis for a conclusion. While this is to a considerable extent dependent on being informed on what to look for, yet no amount of informa- tion will supply keen powers of observa- tion, which in addition, must be kept In practice by continuous use. The student should never be dilatory in this, for once allow it to be said that he sees a thing which he does not, the foundation for candid criticism is being built on sand. It is bette. to be " simpler than the infancy of truth " and completely candid with one's observations than to be in the least deceptive or dilatory in recording them. Not only should one be quick to see things as they really are but there should be as much dispatch in detecting deviations from the correct standard. There is much difficulty in this for a standard only forms itself clearly in one's mind after the re- sults of experience, observation and study have merged together into a clearly de- fined ideal. To formulate an ideal is absolutely essential and in doing this it is imperative to familiarize one's self with the good qualities of animal life, correct conform- ation and the highest types, so that the least variation from these at once attracts the attention. When a distinct ideal, based on the best types and their highest qualities has been formed in the mind, and this is sup- What, then, makes a dog beautiful ? The possession of the excellence of a dof. And what makes a horse beautiful? The possession of the excellence of a horse. What, then, makes a man beautiful ? Is it not the po- session of the excellence of a man ? — Epicietus, No pessimist ever made much in the study of life his- tories of animals. The stu- dent of such had better be an optimist out and out. — Samuel Locktvood. ported by a discriminating eye, ■ it is but another step to render a correct judgment. In judging the market classes of stock the demands of the market should have a strong influence in the establishment of standards and in the judging of breeding classes the official scales of points, when such exist, should be relied upon chiefly as a guide, and when these are not officially But do thou, I say, simply and fully, choose the better and hold to it. But that which is useful is the better. — An- toYtinus. published an effort should be made to become informed regarding the understanding that exists among the breeders. While tbe-y'j standards are so wide in scope as to include many minor poinu yet it will be noticeable that the essential features are given the greatest prominence and they are usually based on the utility oJ the animal for its purpose. This does not mean '±at the minor features should be slighted, for the degree of excellence in domestic animals is now so high and the competition so keen thai No detail is too small to be studied for truth. — Stevenson. it is most frequently on some of these minor details that their rank in the show ring is determined. In show ring judging, after the inspection is completed, a draft or " short leet " is made of the likely winners of place from the rest of the competitors. Up to this time the judging has been the detection of faults and deviations from the standard required, but now the work is more of the nature of comparative judging, in which the points of the animals considered worthy of prizes are compared to determine their rank. It greatly aids dispatch and tends to more exactness to make such a draft when Reverence the faculty which produces opinion. — Anioninus. there are five or niore animals in the class. It also materially assists the examiner in keeping in mind the qualities which he musi compare. Carefulness at this point will do much towards the formation of a decision, which may be afterwards maintained with justice. CONTENTS CHAPTER I— JUDGING HORSES. I. THE ANATOMY A BASIS OF STUDY 5 The Bones as Levers; Actions of the Muscles; Function of the Nervous System; Temperaments. II. JUDGING LIGHT HOESES . General Examination. — Form; Propelling Power Re- sides in Hindquarters; Three Classes of Light Horses; The Coach or Carriage Horse; Analysis of Style; The Trotter or Roadster; The Pacer as a Roadster; The Saddle Horse; Quality; Durability Associated with Quality; Action, The Walk; Observing Straightness of the walk; Manner of Noting Levelness; The High Stepper in Action; The Carriage Horse; Straight and Regular Action; The Driver's Sensation of Action; The Trotter; The Pacing Gait. Structural Examination. — Head; Nostrils; Eyes; Ears; Jaw Bones; Neck; Shoulders; Fore Legs; Arms; Elbows; Fore Arms; Knees; Cannons; Pasterns; Feet; Ribs; Back; Loin; Croup; Thighs; Quarters; Hind Legs; Hocks; Hind Cannons; Hind Pasterns; Hind Feet; Scale of Points for Light Horses. III. JUDGIJSTG HEAVY HOKSES 32 Consideration of Condition. General Examination. — Form; Advantage ot Weight; Market Value of Weight; Quality with Substance Nec- essary for Durability; Action; Trotting Action. Structural Examination. — Head; Neck; Shoulder; Chest; Arm; Fore Leg; Knees; Fetlocks; Pasterns; Feet; Body; Loin; Croup; Hock; Scale of Points for Heavy Horses. IV. JUDGING nOESES IN THE BREEDING CLASSES 44 Sex Characteristics; Differences in Disposition; Differ- ences in form; Variation in Features; Relation of Sex Characteristics to Sterility; Relation of Sex Character- istics to Prepotency; The Stallion Classes; Importance of Correct Conformation; Hereditary Diseases; The Mare Classes; Colts and Fillies. V. ESTIMATING THE AGE OP HORSES BY THEIR TEETH 50 Appearance of Incisors; Order of Appearance of Incisors; Disappearance of the Tables. CONTENTS — CONTINUED VI. EXAMINATION FOB UNSOUNDNESS 52 A Blemish Different from Unsoundness; Decayed and Worn Teeth; Discharges from the Nostrils; Defective Hearing; Sweenied Shoulders; Capped Elbows; Splints; Ringbones; Sldebones; Quarter Cracks and Sand Cracks; Corns; Thrush and Scratches; Locating Lame- ness; Thoroughpin; Curb; Bone Spavin; Bog Spavin; Unsound in Wind; Detection of Stable Vices. VII. OFFICIAL STANDAKDS FOR HOUSES 58 Standard for Trotting and Pacing Horses; Shetland Pony Scale of Points. CHAPTER II— JUDGING CATTLE. Method of Examination 63 I JUDGING BEEF CATTLE 63 Method of Handling; Store Steer; Form of the Feeder; Quality; Inferences from Good Handling; Features of the Head; Neck; Chest; Ribs; Hips; Judging Fat Steers; Handling; Condition; Relation of Parts; Value of Cuts; Scale of Points for Beef Steer. II. JUDGING BEEF STOCK FOE BREEDING PURPOSES 73 Judging Beef Bulls; Judging Beef Cows; Judging Young Beef Stock. [II. JUDGING DAIRY CATTLE 76 Dairy Cow's Function; Making of Milk; Function of the Blood; Function of the Udder; Nervous System; The Dairy Form; Skin; Hair; Bone; Head; Neck; Hind Quarters; Hips; Thigh; Escutcheon; Udder; Teats; Milk Veins; Scale of Points for Dairy Cow. 17. JUDGING DAIRY BULLS 88 Purity of Breeding; Uniformity of Breeding; Pedigree Based on Performance; Qualities Associated with Individuality; Judging Calves. V. OFFICIAL STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE FOB CATTLE 90 Aberdeen Angus; Devon; Red Polled; Holstein- Friesian; Jersey; Guernsey; Dutch Belted; Ayrshire. CHAPTER III— JUDGING SHEEP. Method of Examining Sheep; Deception Due to Trim- ming; Estimating Age by the Teeth 107 I. JUDGING SHEEP FOR MUTTON AND WOOL 109 Feeding Type that Gives the Best Gains; Feeding Type Bringing Most at Maturity; Type Desired by the Butch- er; Quality; The Importance of Condition; Judging Condition; Importance of Dressed Weight; Considera- tion of the Consumer; Qualities of the Fleece; Examin- ing the Fleece; Quantity of Fleece; Density; Length CONTENTS — ^CONTINUED of Staple; Classification of Wool; Quality of Fleece; Softness; Commercial Grades; Crimp; Soundness; Condition; Purity; Domestic Wool; Territory Wool; Blanket Wool; Lustre; Brightness; Yolk; Scale oi Points for Fine Wooled Sheep; Scale of Points for F::t Sheep. II. JUDGING SHEEP FOR BKEEDING PURPOSES 1Z7 Formation of Types; Value of Breed Type; The Ram; The Ewe; Judging Lambs and Flocks. [II. OFFICIAL STAND.* RD OF EXCELLENCE FOR SHEEP 131 Southdown; Shropshire; Hampshire; Suffolk; Oxford; Cotswold; Wensleydale; Dorset Horn; Cheviot; De- laine, Spanish Merino; Black Top Spanish Merino; Tunis. CHAPTER IV— JUDGING SWINE. I. JUDGING FAT HOGS 145 Form; Quality; Head; Byes; Ears; Jowl; Neck; Shoulder; Front Legs; Chest; Sides; Back; Loin; Hips; Rump; Hams; Hind Legs; Scale of Points for Fat Hogs. II. JUDGING BACON HOGS 152 Condition; Form; Weight; Shoulder; Side; Scale of Points for Bacon Hogs. [II. JUDGING SWINE FOR BREEDING PURPOSES 156 The Boar; The Sow. IV. OFFICIAL STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR SWINE 158 Berkshire; Poland China; Essex; Chester White; Duroc Jersey; Victoria; Cheshire, Large White York- shire; Middle White Yorkshire;. Small White Yorkshire; SufEolks; Tam worth; Thin-Rind. CHAPTER I. JUDGING HORSES. To furnisla reasons for many of the points that will be submitted in discussing the types of horses, it becomes neces- sary to consider the horse as a mechanism in which the bones are levers, the muscles the source of power and the nervous system the stimulator of the muscles. I. THE ANATOMY A BASIS OP STUDY. I. The Bones as Levers. The three classes of levers are all represented in the anatomy of the horse. The first class may be fittingly illustrated by a pair of scissors; the power is applied at the holes for the fingers, the fulcrum is in the center where the blades are united and the applica- tion of the power is at the points. This is the strongest form of leverage and it is employed in the skeleton of the horse by the parts involved in the extension of the limbs. The lever of the second class may be said to be clearly represented by a wheelbarrow. The power is applied at the handle, the weight is in the center and the application of the power is at the wheel. This leverage in the horse enables it to sleep standing or to stand without feeling much strain. It is in action in such parts as that in the region of the humerus. The leverage of the third class is represented by a pair of sheep shears. The power is applied at the center, the ful- crum is at one end and the application of the power is at the other. This leverage is not common but it is shown in the action of the lower jaw of the horse. The masseter muscles 6 JUDGING HORSES of the jaw apply their power to the center of the jaw bone, the fulcrum is at the point where the under jaw joins the head, while the application of the power is at the teeth. 2. Action of the Muscles. In considering the leverage, the attachment of the muscles and their nature are impor- tant. As the muscles consist of bundles of fibers, it is easy to understand that when these fibers are long, they possess more elasticity than when they are short. The long muscle with long leverage, added to by length of the bones is more favorable for quick action or speed, while the heavier muscle is more favorable for draft or power. The attachment of the muscles to the skeleton is also an important feature. When the muscles by means of the tendons are attached to promi- nences thus enabling them to work some distance from the bones that furnish the leverage, it is easy to see that the action of the muscles would De more effective. Hence, in most joints there are prominences to give the muscles the most favorable attachment. In this connection it will be interesting to study the pro- portions of the bones of the skeleton to find reasons for the advantages which are supposed to originate with different proportions. In general we look for short bones in those parts where the function is simply the transmission of power; while we desire greater length in those 'parts where the mus- cles, the source of power or speed, are to be found. In the front leg for instance, it is desirable to have the distance long from the elbow to the knee, with the proportions showing a much greater distance from the knee to the fetlock joint for the reason that the distance over which the power travels should be as short as possible that it may be economized and but little of it lost in transmission. 3. Function of the Nervous System. In studying the horse as a mechanism, more than bone and muscle sl^ould be included. The stimulation for action comes from the nerve oower or force. The nerve power is represented centrally Ancient unci modern schools in st(iCic judf^ing. In early times ',vli;i,t was known in regard to tbe jud^in;^ of stoclc had to bcKa-rncrcd nnderthe environment and with tJic material shown in tlicupperillustration. Modern facilities and methods arc shown in the lower illustration, which is a photo- /?raph of the stock judging? i^avilion at the Iowa Agricultural College, with ihe first class to come t.ogether for special instruction in stuck judging. Three hundred were in attendance at this school January. r.:ni. S O C C o ° c o o o ^ c E ^ i' c cT^ (« o b oi:i ■- ^:^' " -:^^^^^=' THE ANATOMY A BASIS OF STUDY 7 by the brain and from there it is carried to all parts of the body by the spinal cord through the main channel of the vertebrae, and from this it branches out to stimulate many muscles. The stimulation for action must come from the nerve centers and these consequently have much to do with the quickness and the strength with which a horse may act. It has been determined * in the races of dogs and other ani- mals showing superior speed, that the nerves regulating the heart and lungs have greater power than in the instance of those that are slower. Another authority f who has given this feature special study states that the degree of contraction of the muscle is proportioned to the degree of stimulation. This general statement serves to sustain the position that the horse of strong nervous organization has quicker and more complete control over its muscles than the one deficient in this feature. 4. Temperaments. To the nervous organization, its tone and force, we can largely trace the temperaments that are characteristic of horses. The horse of nervous temperament expresses the fact by being a willing and enduring worker in its sphere; while the horse of lymphatic temperament seem- ingly lacks zest in its labors for the want of tone in its nerv- ous system. The bilious temperament reflects itself in a bad temper and springs chiefly from the condition of the body; while the sanguine temperament, resulting from apparently opposite conditions, finds expression in a disposition that is kind and willing. In this connection it should be stated that the term nervous temperament is not used in the sense in which it is commonly accepted, namely, a lack of nervous control; for such a condition usually results in an irritable and erratic temperament which is devoid of results as expressed in work. * Mills, Comparative Physiology, page 213. t Smith, Physiology of Animals, page 721. 9 JUDGING LIGHT HORSES II. JUDGING LIGHT HORSES. /. General Examination. In the general examination of horses, the form, quality and action are the chief features requiring consideration. This examination takes in the horse as a whole, while the struc- tural examination requires detailed criticism of each part independent of others. 5. Form — The Contribution of Siceleton and Muscle. To be able to accurately estimate the form of a horse, it is neces- sary to understand the extent to which the x'orm is due to the skeleton and how much of it depends on the muscular development. A comparison of a skeleton of a horse with a living and well developed animal will show clearly that some parts owe their form to the framework of bone, while other regions are shaped wholly by the muscle. Beginning at the head, it will be noticed that the form of it is determined almost alto- gether by the bones that comprise it. The outlines of the neck, however, are just as distinctly due to the muscular development of that region. The shoulder and chest are outlined in form chiefly by the skeleton though smoothened with muscle. The shape of the leg from the knee upwards to the body is determined by muscles of that region, while from the knee to the fetlock the outline is due largely to the tendons that make the leg at this point appear flat from the side. The common supposition is that the leg appears flat from the side view because the bone is flat, but the fact is the flat appearance is due to the degree to which the tendons stand back from the bone. 6. Propelling Power Resides in Hind Quarters. A study of the degree to which the skeleton and the muscular develop- ment contribute to the form of a horse, brings into promi- nence the idea that most of the power resides in the hind parts. The fact that the greatest muscular development is in that region would indicate this. fr s*- ^^ k- W^^SSMH ^ ■'^C^'- ■■' ■ * ,.. j,. . ,.•.,—■• -i^ -"i".Sil. '- ■^'^^---.-fi^^^^Na^ ^ • . ' - ifk '^^^^ K - ■'"^ X^,..^,.,^ Photo by ?cbr' iber' Lr.ADLli, THE Sc■t)TCl3lMA^', w'iiinii' (f ri unici'i 'LIS [jri/.cjh ill lliu IJoston aDCi PhiladL'IpljLU liorsc sliows iJi tln.^ Iion.v.v harm-ss chisscs. 1 1 lustrrilive of the fuUuL'SS and symmetry of fiirm tli;il. slicmUl l.i- a feature of the carriage or coarli tyije. Tiiyo DKiroN and Lotiiauio sbowinf riage horses. Photo from Rider and Driver, the type desirable in a pair of car- Pbiito by Scbreibe Hood's McGkeoou, record 3:a61i, by Eoliert MoGrr^'or ^iirT'.i. Winner ot three first prizes Philadelphia Horse Sliow, IS'.iT, in loaflsler classes, and also first' for best appoint.ed roafl rif^. Plioto by LiUio Saddle geldiiR, OotjUMbus. showing Spanish trot. Winner of first prize high school class at Kansas Oity Horse Show, 1898. Owned by C. T. Walker, GENERAL EXAMINATION It will be noticed that the form of the loin, the shape of the croup, the fullness of the thigh and quarters are due in the greatest degree to the extra development of muscle in these parts. The front quarter of the horse is bare of muscle in comparison with the hind quarter. Another reason for accepting this theory is the difference in the manner of the attachment of the fore legs to the body, compared to that of the hind legs. The shoulder blade is loosely attached to the trunk while the hind leg connects with the body through the agency of an unusually strong ball and socket joint. The shoulder blade plays loosely, seemingly for the purpose of lessening the concussion the leg receives from contact with the ground, while the hind legs in their connection with the pelvis make a joint that is the most powerful of the body. 7. Three Classes of Light Horses. The light horse in respect to form and other characteristics may be divided into three main classes: the carriage horse, the road horse and the saddle horse. These may be spoken of as the most com- mon types recognized in the market, while the pure bred representatives of them are to be seen in the breeds of coach horses, the standard trotter and the standard saddle horse. 8. The Coach op Carriage Horse. The distinguishing features of the coach or carriage horse are its symmetry and action. The height should be about i6 hands to make a good appearance. In contrast with the roadster the carriage horse is very smooth and symmetrical. The smoothness should be due to plumpness of the muscle over all parts. In the carriage type the head should be comparatively small and lean, the ear neat, the neck long and carried gracefully, the body round and plump and the limbs clean cut, with well formed and durable feet. Graceful carriage and stylish action are leading qualifications. 9. Analysis of Style. When in any posture, style is a very desirable attribute in any carriage horse. A critical 10 JUDGING LIGHT HORSES examination of this type would indicate how far the posses- sion of style depends on the adjustment of the parts of the framework. When a carriage or coach horse possesses characteristic style, there seems to be an appropriate blend- ing of all proportions of form. In analyzing this it will be found that most of the lines have a similar direction, in addition to the fullness of contour already discussed. The line running from the poll to the nose seems to be parallel to that of the shoulder, the line dividing the pastern also has a similar direction, and the line of the thigh in the hind quarter corresponds with the slope of the hind pastern. Considering the lines that run different from these it will be noticed that the one made by the arm from the point of the shoulder to the elbow is very similar in direction to that made by the ischium of the pelvis and this again is similar to that of the lower thigh. Bach part of a typical carriage horse seems to bear a fixed relation to every other part both in size, length and slope, giving the horse that symmetry which contributes so much to its style and beauty while standing or in action. iO. The Trotter or Roadster. The chief characteristics of the roadster are speed and stamina. The ability to trot fast is a desirable quality and the ability to maintain a rapid gait is equally essential in a horse of this kind. In addition to being able to stand steady road work, such a horse must be well mannered so as to be safe and pleasurable to drive. The typical roadster may be said to be about 15^^ hands high and about a thousand pounds in weight. In conforma- tion the horse of this class is somewhat narrow in front, deep chested, wide at the loin and very muscular in the quarters. Every feature about the horse appears clean cut, giving a hard finish which indicates durability, l* he linea- ments of the face and the outlines of the neck and especially the distinctness with which the tendons stand away from the leg are very desirable features. Combination saddle and ]i;irness seldinj? Highland, owned by Professor C. F. Cui'tibs. Invfii Ay;riculturai C'ollegc, Ames, Iowa. A winner at state fairs in this class. Prize winning Kentucky bred saddle horse Compeer, property of Edsvin n. Wotherbee, New Yurk City. Tlie Breeder's Gazette, referring to this horse, says : ''Of magnificent presence, witli a licight of 153 and a weight of 1,100 pounds, this young horse wants merely to settle to his height by the development of another /ear; in sound feet, elastic pasterns, quantity and quality of bone, height at "withers, range of neck and strength of back Com- peer makes good his name. Disposition and manners arc the essentials of a perfi'Ct saddle horse, and these Compeer possesses in unusua.l degree. He is brilliant in his action; his walk is fine, his trot distinguished by a superb flex of hocks, while his haunches could not be better tucked under at the /'H.ntrAp." Photograph of Ckesceus 2:02^4, the champion trotting stallion of the world in track harness, with Geo. K. Ketcham. his owner, in th\, sulky. Cresceus was sired by Robert McGregor 2:17i4. Owned by Geo. H. Ketcham, Toledo, O. Cresceus trotted a mile in 1:59%, but it was dis- allow'' ^vx-j^n- f/^ a tp^>hnira]itv. Hen Hoi.t, cliMiiipiori liKliI' wcislit liiintitr. I'liiliiflvlplna norse Show Assooiati I'.iiin, (Iwiicd iinfl riflikTi l>y Miss Marion llalloway KAfir.E rr.nwE, ciiaTripioii heavy wpifclit hnntpr.anrl winner of numerous nrizes IIS a, saddle liorse. owned liy <;eo. I"'e|iper i^c Sons, of Onl.ariu. I'anada. ¥ ■''-^^ WBM ^KBU^^^-" » m Myj.a^Vo.>v£j^jw b M 1 t^,.ff^ rlBj ■P^.,..^,. m- g^.'-:-] ""^JBI |P^J^^^^^ ^m b«5iw •■- J Bm>y ■"-■<'^^, :^ L,,.. ^•^-^<«piiiM 1 V Si- r- . i i^^ittstt ^^^ 1 M m Polo pony o\s' r a cost, of SI. (Mill, rh.te h) SthiL'ioe l.y U.diert. ]<;. Slr;i\vlirhlne, Philadelphia. I'lireliased Lt :i t d GENERAL EXAMINATION 11 The type kcks the fullness and symmetry that are char- acteristic in the carriage or coach horse. To do effective and hard work on the road is the sphere of the roadster and the type that has been evolved is an illustration of the evo- lution of a form for a specific purpose. The type of the best campaigners that have marks of 2:10 or better will show a similarity that indicates the type towards which the trotter is tending. Though it should be noted here that the roadster in show form will show quite different outlines from one that has been subjected to the hard training that the campaignei receives. To describe the roadster form in detail it may be said that the head is proportioned to the rest of the body, wide between the eyes and somewhat sharp at the poll. The neck is slim, long and very often carried somewhat straight, owing to the continual use of the top check. The shoulder slopes very markedly and extends well along towards the back. The arm is short and this with the slope of the shoulder makes the under line much longer than the length of the back. The fore arm is long, the cannon short and the pasterns with sufficient length and slope. The horse appears too far from the ground in proportion to its height. The back is short and strong rising some at the hips and the croup is strongly muscled. Perhaps the most noticeable feature of the type is the exceptional length from the hip joint to the point of hock and then from the point of the hock to the fetlock joint the distance is short, making the hock appear as if set low. 1 1, The Pacer as a Roadster. As a roadster, the pacer has many claims for consideration chiefly on account of the speed that characterizes this gait and the fact that it is easily maintained on smooth city roads. It is, however, mainly the quickness with which full speed is attained that makes the pacer so popular among the road riders of our cities. The difficulty that a pacer encounters on rough, broken roads or 12 JUDGING LIGHT HORSES in snow, makes it necessary to have a smooth hard road to enjoy the pleasures of the gait. Among pacers there is often noticeable a type that is not desirable in any class. It can hardly be called typical of this class of horses for many of those that are fastest at this gait, do not have the very low fore hand, the cramped hind quarters or bent-in hocks that are often connected with this form. The horse that paces smooth and true exhibits an easy and pleasing manner of going as well as one effective in producing speed, but there are many varieties of this gait that are the reverse of this because of defects in conformation which preclude rapid movement in any other manner. 12. The Saddle Horse. The type of the saddle horse is somewhat similar to that of the carriage horse but the typical saddle horse shows more quality and better manners than any other class of light horses. Aside from these features the most necessary qualifications of the saddle horse are the ability to show the different gaits that are required of horses of this class. The standard performances adopted by the executive committee of the American Saddle Horse Associa- tion are the following gaits: (i) Walk. (2) Trot. (3) Single foot or rack (4) Canter. (5) Slow pace, running walk or fox trot. The gait known as single foot or rack is very similar to the pace, except that in the latter the two feet of the same side move together while in the single foot the hind foot reaches the ground shortly before the front foot on the same side. The gait known as single foot is con- sidered synonymous with that of the rack and it has been described as exactly intermediate between the true walk and the true trot, each foot apparent?-/ moves independent of the other with what has been termed a ' ' one at a time move- ment." 13. Quality. This term applied to horses has reference to their bones, skin and hair. Evidences of quality are (dearly cut features, glove-like skin, silky hair and firm, clean Ldii I)iLi,(i.\, champion trotter of the world. Keconl, 1 iiiile, 1 ;r.8i^,. Bred hy I'ieiee Bi-os., Santa Rosa, Califoi-nia. ()\Yned by r. K. C, killings. New York. Dan Patch, chamiiion pacer of the world. Record, 1 mile. 1:00 'A. Owned by International Stock Food Co., Minneapolis, Mmn. GENERAL EXAMINATION 13 bone. In the instance of the horse possessing quality, the lines of the face are clearly defined and in every region there is a complete absence of coarseness. It is possible in such a horse to easily distinguish the muscles, tendons and bones and when slightly exerted, so that the coat lies smooth, the veins in the skin show clearly in an intricate net work as delicate and fine grained as the skin. This freedom from coarseness in the joints and tendons show a soundness in these features that guarantees durability. Coarse hair is associated with coarse skin and that is a true indication of soft, spongy bones which quickly become diseased when sub- jected to the strain of hard usage or neglect. 14. Endurance Indicated by Quality. The connection between a horse' s staying power or endurance and its quality is frequently seen when subjected to severe road work, but the reason for the connection is not so plainly evident. The fine skin that is one of the features of high quality is consid- ered to be of value for what it tells of the internal organiza- tion of the animal, for it may be said in a general way that the one skin cov^ers the horse internally as well as externally. The inner coat of the skin which covers the ribs and all exter- nal parts is a continuation of that which lines the stomach and intestines. If the skin covering the internal region is soft, fine and pliable it indicates that the secretions are healthy and it would seem natural to reason from this that the lining of the stomach would be in the same state, and if such is the case it is in a better condition to digest the food that goes into it, thereby increasing the horse's recuperative powers and endurance. 15. Durability Associated with Quality. Quality in a horse's limbs and feet is especially desirable for the reason that such prove more durable under stress or strain. In looking for this feature in the leg, it is a common practice to run the hand over the cannon bone. In doing this the skin and hair are felt against the bone and if there is the proper 14 JUDGING LIGHT HOKSESs quality, there, the skin seems to melt from under the nand letting the latter come in close contact with the bone which feels firm and smooth. The fingers seem to touch each other as they pass between the tendon and the bone of the leg, when the latter has the right degree of quality. It is a fact that in finely bred horses that undergo unusual trials of endurance, such as the thoroughbred and the trotter, the texture of the bone is decidedly firmer and closer than that of horses bred for slower work. Another evidence of quality is to be seen in the lines showing the division of the muscles as these should appear distinct in the horse of quality and the joints of the limbs should not show any fullness but be clearly defined and hard. 16. Action — Why Highly Valued. In the market for light horses there is no single feature held in higher estima- tion than that of desirable action. It has difierent degrees of valuation when associated with the various types of horses, but to sell well they all must have as much as may be dis- played and used to advantage. The fact that proper action associated with the coach type brings exceptional prices in the market, would of itself make the subject an important study but when its influence on the prices of all classes of horses is considered, it at once assumes the position of being the most valuable characteristic connected with the classes of To^ht horses. Good action is mainly desirable for its utility and also for the many other qualities which it indicates. It will readily be expected that the horse with good action is more durable and more enjoyable, as the work is done easier, and also more profitable, for more of it is accomplished. But looking further into the subject it is surprising what other attributes are dependent on it. The action of a horse reflects its tem- perament, proves the balance of its conformation and indi- cates soundness. With right action there must be a dash and zest which is the outflow of a sanguine temperament Iligli s(ci,]:ri- in ;uli,.n. ri;.)l(.,m';tplM d rroju ■•[►rU in- [n\- i" .iis::!-.'/ s!i<)\vin,ii I lie ext renii^ dc,^"M.'(' to wliicli tlie knvt' niul liock nd imi iiin y !u dfvolopccl liy heavy shorin;;- and training. Bi H^ hhh ^t^MBBRlM^^flB pHimy ^1 ■fjBJn ____n^B^^^^^^^^B HB^|S IP^jHII (91 WtttKH^KUS ^S^Baf r^m ViT ■ '^ "j jjSBiy 1 / il' ^^ti^.^'^'^^ Lkadi'3K, the SrcTCH.MAK. in action, sliowin^ the foiding ol the knee aiMl the flexing of the hock nesii-ed in cari-iage horses. secure fi:r^