Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1912-04-04


A horses height Is measured in
hands" a inches) from the summit
of the withers to the ground typi-
cal, ideal draft horse stands over IL
hands IS feet 1nches) and under Is
hands high. Tall, leggy horses, it de.
tlcient in weight, width and quality,
are undesirable. Such horses often
are found affected with ST V1tus'
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 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
tons and gives him firm grip upon
the ground. Heavy weight Is use
adequately developed frame and mus
Gle 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 bIocky
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 he Indicative OF strength
for heavy hauling. massive body
set squarely on sturdy legs is re
CURED
Good quality is shown by fine
bright. silky hair; soft, pliable skin
clean, well defined tendons; smooth
well 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. It 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 actor
must be perfectly regular, straight
and level Joints must be quickly anC
fully flexed; feet must be advanced
and set down without deviation from
q 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 anC
trot. The feet should be lifted quick
ly, evenly and be set down squared,
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 hinG
legs be carried too close together o.
too far apart. In Judging Of the &C
ton the observer must note the move
ments Of each leg and foot, tn.
handling of each joint and the car
riage Of the entire body, as the horse
walks and trots. Watch closely fol
lameness. The hooks should be car
ried well together when In motion
Rolling, or waddling in front is due t.
too great width OF chest. Knee ant
hook action should both be free ant
comparatively high. Perfection of &C
ton at the walk Is of highest 1mpor
lance in the draft horse.
The draft horse should show a 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, wine
sucking, weaving, tail switching, shy
ing, biting, kicking, head shaking
etc., are undesirable. Sluggishnes
associated with fat should be avoided
as it induces disease. Stupidity. clum
siness, meanness or excessive nerv
BUSINESS are objectiona BILE and shout,
discount the animal
The head should be large, proper
tionate in size to the body and vel
formed, clean, free from coarsenes
and irregularities.
Strength may be shown in the hea,
as well as the rest of the body. l
should ha carried well UP and balance,
W, Z