Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-08-02

A horses height is measured in
hands" a inches) from the summit
of the withers to the ground. A typi-
cal, ideal draft horse stands over 10
hands Is feet 4 inches) and under is
hands high. Tall, leggy horses, ii de-
tcient In weight, width and quality,
are undesirable. SUch horses often
are found affected with st. Vitus'
dance Exceptionally tall horses lover
l7.2 hands, are difficult to match in
pairs and therefore may not meet
with ready sale on the market. Sucn
horses are chiefly used for single work
or as the middle horses of three horse
teams.
A draft horse should weigh 1000
pounds, or more, in ordinary flesh.
Weight in a draft horse is absolutely
necessary for the hauling of heavy
loads. 1t enables the horse to derive
full benefit from the strength OF his
muscles, adds to the effect of his mo-
tions and gives him firm grip upon
the ground. Heavy weight is a use
less burden when not associated with
adequately developed frame and mus
Gle. 1t 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 aad
weight. The body should be 5iocky,
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
we'll developed muscles; strong,
smooth bones. 1t 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. 1t is 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 fiexed; feet must be advanced
and set down without deviation from
a straight line. Soles of the fest
should turn up and show the shoes
plainly as the horse moves away
from the observer, at both walk and
trot. The feet should be lifted quick
ly, evenly and be set down squarely
and firmly.
There should be no padding"
"dishing," 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 ac-
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
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 &C
ton at the walk is 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, as cribbing, wind
sucking, weaving, tail switching, shy
ing, biting, kicking, head shaking
etc., are undesirable. Slugg1shness
associated with fat should be avoided,
as it induces disease. Stupidity, clum-
siness, meanness or excessive nerV-
BUSINESS are Objectionable and should
discount the animal.
The head should be large, proper
tionate in size to the body and well
formed, clean, free from coarseness
and irregularities.
Strength may be shown in the head
as we'll as the rest Of the body. 1t
should be carried we'll up and balanced