Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1877-05-10
Ii { STOCK.
FIJI MODEL HORSE.

IiNpn TO the QtAGl0pltCiit VI
~speaa in horses. At best this can only serve
the purposes of show or amusement, While
so treat is its liabilitiyat to abuse that society
has. with reason, learned to look with stlSpl-
.rious distrust Upon most Of those connected
in any way, with fast horses. Strange tat
association with the nOblest OF irrational
animals should exercise so demoraliZing an
Influence over his human owner and attend
ants, One of the worst results OF this I'M
due eXaltatiOn OF ileetness is Il tendency 10
NEGLECT or undervalue the intrinsic merits OF
the animal. It is as a helper to man tlat
the horse deserves the highest praise; and
in this capacity, a large, powerful, COM
pactly-built and well-proportioEed animal IS
tar more seryiceable than ole of a lighter,
but 1leeter breed.
There are strong indications, however,
that the world will soon recognize the pre-
eminent merits of large, massive horses, and
among these signs not the least Significant Is
the prominent position OF late accorded to
the percheren-N Norman breed of horses.
These are of French descent, ami consider
ing the comparatively recent date OF Their
importation into this country, they have al
ready acquired an cnviable reputation.
The characteristics OF the race may be
learned from the.,foiiowing description of a
model or ideal animal, copied from the Stud
Book of the breed, just published. We are
assured that there is little tanciful about the
sketch, as many of the Observation-Disclosures
are very nearly as perfect. The character
istics of the model horse are:
Head clean, bony ann small N the size OF
the animal ears short, mobile, erect and
sine pointed; eyes bright, clear, large and
prominent forehead broad; nostrils large,
open, and red within; jaws rather wide;
chin fine lips thin teeth sound and even.
Neck a trife short, yet harmoniously
rounding to the body; throttle clean; crest
rigid, rather high, and gracefully curved;
mane abundant with silky hair.
Breast broad and deep, with great mus
.cular development; shoulders smooth, and
sufficiently slop.ng for the collar to set snug
TO them; witllers high; back short and
strongly coupled; body well-ribbed-up,
round, full and straight on the belly, which
lis much longer than the back rump broad,
long and Moderately sloping to the tail.
which is attached high hips round and
smooth at top, and fiat on the sides; quar-
tiers wide, well let down, and swelling with
powerful muscles.
Dock strong; tail long, heavy, and grace
fully hanging out from the Group when the
animal is in full motion.
Legs flat and wide, standing square and
firm, and we'll under the body with hard.
clean bones, and extra-large, strong joints,
cords and tendons short from the knees
and hooks down; pasterns upright; fet-
locks thin; hoofs full size, solid, open,
tough, and we'll set up ut the heels.
Height Is to log hands; weight ! 300 to
LOO pounds.
Color various, as with other horses; but
q clear dapple grey is preferred, as the best
OF the original breed were thus marked.
Action bold, square, free and easy neiti1~
er torele aching nor interfering; the walk
four to five miles per hour; the trpt six to
eight, on a dry and moderately level road,
but capable OF being pushed much faster on
the latter gait. when required.
Temper kind disposition docile, but EN-
crgetic and vigorous; hardy, enduring and
ionglired precocious; able to be put to
light work at Is to d months old possess
ing immense power for his size; never baulk-
ing or refusing to draw at a dead pull styl-
ish, elegant and attractive in appearance
easy. elastic and graceful. i'll motion.
10 tendency to disease of any sort. and es-
pocially tree from those of The legs and feet