THE SHOW HORSE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 12

THE SHOW HORSE.

If at times we are inclined to extol the many uses to which the farm tractor can be put, it does not follow that we are blind to the virtues of the farm horse. Far from it. Fortunately there is ample room for the mechanician and the lover of a draught horse. This is the season of the year when the males in the horse world are paraded at the various horse shows in the Dominion, and the Clydesdale’s njain characteristics are summed up by those who frequent the ringside. Without going into the finer points touching upon bone, conformation, height, colour, etc., it is interesting to note the methods adopted by a good judge in arriving at his decisions. He will see that the horse stands even and firm on his feet, which in some horses are inclined slightly inwards. To be the least inclined outwards is a bad fault, and one that gets worse with age. As regards the hind legs, a glance will tell if they are all right with the animal; hocks close to gether and the feet at the proper place for supporting the weight of the body, while at the same time giving the animal the fullest power for the use of the hind legs, in which lies nearly all the propelling power. In walking, the horse should, if approaching, come with his head carried well, and with an apparently measured stride, lifting his feet well off the ground, and placing them down again regularly, evenly, and with apparent deliberation. On a side view the action should be even, and his hind and fore action should be in unison. In going away, a horse should plant his hind feet forward as deliberately as his fore ones, at the same time raising and bending the leg at the hock, and'keeping the hocks close together, moving in line with the body. Wide action at the hocks is a bad fault. For soundness, good feet and legs, the Clydesdale holds pride of place amongst heavy horses, but there is a lot in the old adage, “No foot, no horse,” and breeders should beware of using stallions with small, narrow feet, short, upright pasterns, and soft, fleshy joints. It is not always the case that the best horse annexes the first-prize ticket. He will escape the notice of the judge at times because he is not “ brought out ” for the occasion. ’ There is a good deal in the fitting, feeding, and showing of a horse, and many good animals have been passed over by the judge just because • they have not been wisely treated. Presuming that the horse has been fed correctly and thoroughly groomed every day, his legs and feet receiving particular attention, we may also infer that he' has daily exercise. In exercising, it is well, says an authority in the Farm and Ranch Review, to accustom the horse to walk smartly in a straight line to and from a certain point, not so fast as to incline him to travel’ " ide at the hocks or spread himself, nor vet so slow as to indicate a lack of vigour or ambition. Some experienced horsemen are so afraid of their charge going a little “ wide behind ” that they accustom him to walk as if he were in a funeral procession. This is entirely wrong, and creates a false and unfavourable impression on disinterested spectators. A smart, active, alert style of walking is always attractive and desirable, the horse holding his head well up and showing the possession of some snap and ambition. .In trotting the same remarks apply exactly, but at this gait the horse should be started slowly until he gets his prpper balance, when the speed may be increased, but always kept moderate and under complete control. As the show day approaches, the horse should receive additional attention, and his body and limbs should get a liberal amount of rubbing and “ elbow grease.” The. horse’s eyes will be bright, his actions lively and alert, his bottled-up nervous energy very evident, and his whole appearance indicative of high spirits, health, and bloom. He will sttnd, walk, or trof before the judges

like a soldier on parade, always responding promptly to every request of the groom or the judges.