Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-12-02

Is. Ribs; 49, Girih. T. Loins. Is Group. 10;
20. Canon or shank. ~ Fetlock joint. 2s.
pastern. e. z. C9ronet 80 >, Feet 81 Ergot and
IS. Bullock. 50, Leg, 81 Hook; 3s, Canon or
shank. 50: Fetlock joint. 40 Ergot and fet
lock. Al. Pastern. Il. Coronet. 40. Foot. A.
| Lower thigh. 45. Point of hook.
will cause the public to look for defects
which without the diagram they might
have passed over.
A standard measurement between
points cannot of course be taken as
criterion, because all measurements will
differ, according to the peculiar type of
| hackney presented for measurement. 1t
is type, and then performance at the
walk and trot, and then conclusion as to
| quality, strength and substance that
| govern in class shown to halter. The
/ harness classes decide the rest.
l suppose decisions at fairs will be
made on the basis of the best looking
horse and the best goer If SO, hope
that the judges will allow at least co
per cent for action in the stallion and 40
for his shape, but in the mares 60 for
shape and 40 for action, the latter be-
cause she is the cradle in which the foal
must lie and develop.
| would like to have had time to give
you brief account of the origin of the
! hackney, but l must refer you to the
introduction of our studbook. AS to
color, think the rich, dark chestnut is
now popular among stallion owners, es-
pecially III England but the brown and
| dark browns, such as Old Fireaway used
to get, are holding their own, while the
beautiful bright or the mahogany bay is
a color which is much liked in this coun-
try, and especially the bay with black
points.
A little white pastern or two is good
mark to have when the judges are look
ing for high action, and especially if
both fore feet are marked alike, as of
course it does not do to have one white
foot seemingly going higher than the
black one, and the same can be said
about the hind feet. The white star or
crescent in the forehead or the narrow
strip in the face and the faint snip on
the nose are often carefully looked for as
proof Of direct blood from some famous
stallion or mare, as are the few gray
hairs in the flank or the white spot un.
der the belly in some strains of hackney
blood. Blacks are favorites with some
people, but others believe that they do
not summer we'll when turned out, and
their coats require deal of working on
to get into show condition. A brilliant
black full of quality and fine action is a
pretty sight and strong one to beat.
The blue roam has always been called
strong one, and for use on general
purpose mares never fails to make
friends among the old fashioned coun-
try breeders. but quality. is what he
must have in a remarkable degree TO
hold the judges, and roam is color that
does not always do itself justice in this
particular. The red or strawberry roam
carriage team with snap and style can
run the price up very high, but when
shown in hand the shade is against them,
and here again they must have an I'M
usual amount of quality to win. a pie
bald or skewbald we do not often see
now, and | do not think there are any
"inagpies" or movements on this side.
A. II. Godfrey in Breeders Gazette.