The Marshall republican., 1912-03-29


A horses height II measured IN
hands" q inches) from the summit
Of the wfthers to the ground. A typf
cal. ideal draft horse stands over 1e
hands % feet 4 inchss) and under ~
hands high. Tall. legsy horses, II do
fcient In weight. width and quality,
are undesirable. Such horses often
are found affected with st. vitus'l
dance. Exceptionally tall horses lover
17.3 hands) are dinicult to match In
pairs and therefore may not meet
with ready sale on the market. Hucn
horses are chiefly used for single work
or a. the middle horses Of three horse
teams. 81
A draft horse should weigh 1900
pounds. or moro. In ordinary flesh.
Weight In . draft horse IL absolutely
necessary for the hauling OF heavy
loads. Il enables the horse to derive
full benefit from the strength OF his
muscles. adds TO tho effect Of his mo-
lions and gives him q arm grip upon
tho ground. 4. Heavy weight L. . use
less burden whom not associated with
adequately developed frame and mus
Gle. II should DO 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. largo
Joints and prominent tendons.
The entire appearance OF the draft
horse should be Indicative Of strength
for heavy hauling. A massive body,
set squareiy on sturdy legs 10 re-
quired.
Good quality Is shown by fine,
bright, silky hair; soft. pliabie skin;
clean, well defined tendons; smooth
well developed muscles; strong,
smooth bones. II usually ID associated
with style. spirit and intelligence In
dicative of breeding"
A draft horse does most Of his hard
work ut the walking gait. II II there
fore important that he should be able
to walk fast without firing. He should
be able to walk four miles an hour
with . 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 from
. straight line. 6oies OF the feet
should turn up and show the shoes
plainly % the horse moves away
Sro- Aha ohs~rv~r - 18th ~slL ana
trot. The feet should be lifted quick
ly, evenly and DO set down squarely
and firmly.
There should DO no padding"
sdishing." or "winging'' In or Out, cut
ting or interfering. nor should the fore
legs swing out or roll" or the hind
legs be carried too close together Or
too far apart. In judging OF the &C
ton 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
iameness. The hooks should DO car
ried well 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 IL Of highest impor-
lance in the draft horse.
The draft horse should show . Wig
orous, lively. energetic disposition.
yet be docile. tractable and intelli-
gent. He should be neither sluggish.
nor irritable. nor excessively nervous.
Noticeable vices. a. cribbing. wind
sucking. weaving. tail switching. shy
ing, biting. kicking. head shaking.
ETC., are undesirable. 6luggishneas
associated with fat should BE- avoided.
a. Il induces disease. stupidity, clpm-
sinsss. msanness or ~excepsive nsrv'
ousneus are objectiopahle and should
discount the animal.
Tbs head should b. large, proper:
tionato IN Biss - ths BODY and well
fcrme6, cisan, ire from coarseneas
and irregularities.
Gfrohgth may ~ shown a ths head
a. we'll A. ne Teet o. the body. ~
should - ens1te1 vell ~ AZ bslapoed