The Prescott daily news., 1912-02-27

hands" (4 inches) from the summit of the withers to the ground. A typi- cal, ideal draft horse stands over 16 hands 0 feet 1 inches) and under IS hands high. Tall, leggy horses, if de- ticient in weight, width and quality, are undesirable. Such horses often are found affected with St. Vitus' dance. Exceptionally tall horses lover 17.2 hands) are difficult to match in pairs and therefore may not meet with ready sale on the market. Such horses are chiefly used for single work or as the middle horses of three horse teams.
 A draft horse should weigh 1,600 pounds, or more, in ordinary flesh. Weight in a draft horse is absolutely necessary for the hauling of heavy loads. It enables the horse to derive full benefit from the strength of his muscles, adds to the effect of his mo tions and gives him a firm grip upon the ground. Heavy weight is a use less burden when not associated with adequately developed frame and mus cle. It should be accompanied by vigor and energy.
 The form of the draft horse should be broad, deep, massive, evenly pro portioned and symmetrical, the entire makeup suggesting great strength and weight The body should be blocky, and compact, with short, broad, clean. well set legs showing fine skin, large joints and prominent tendons.
 The entire appearance of the draft horse should be indicative of strength for heavy hauling. A massive body, set squarely on sturdy legs is re- quired.
 Good quality is shown by fine, bright, silky hair soft, pliable skin; clean, we'll defined tendons; smooth well developed muscles; strong, smooth bones. It usually is associated with style, spirit and intelligence in- dicative of breeding"
 A draft horse does most of his hard work at the walking gait. It is there fore important that he should be able to walk fast without tiring. He should be able to walk four miles an hour with a load To do this the action must be perfectly regular. straight and level. Joints must be quickly and fully fexed; feet must be advanced and set down without deviation rom a straight line. Soles of the feet should turn up and show the shoes plainly as the horse moves away from the observer, at both walk anu trot. The feet should be lifted quick ly. evenly and be set down squarely and firmly.
 There should be no "paddling, "dishing." or "winging" in or out, cut- ting or interfering, nor should the lore legs swing out or roll" or the hind legs be carried too close together or too far apart. In judging of the ac- tion the observer must note the move ments of each leg and foot, the handling of each joint and the car riage of the entire body, as the horse walks and trots. Watch closely for lameness. The hooks should be car ried we'll together when in motion. Rolling, or waddling in front is due to too great width of chest. Knee and hook action should both be free and comparatively high. Perfection of ac- tion at the walk is of highest impor- tance in the draft horse.
 The draft horse should show a viz orous, lively. energetic disposition. yet be docile tractable and intelli- gent. He should be neither sluggish, nor irritable, nor excessively nervous.
 Noticeable vices, as cribbing. wind sucking, weaving. tail switching, shy