222 AGRICULTURE FOR COMMON SCHOOLS 



faster one than the trotting. Dan Patch is at this time (1908) 

 the fastest pacer in the world. His record is a mile in 1 : 55 J. 



The roadster is a harness type of the trotter or pacer class, 

 somewhat heavier than is used for racing, but not as heavy 

 as a coacher. The roadster is desirable for pulling light vehi- 

 cles on the road. He is especially desired by physicians and 

 others who have much driving to do. 



The American Saddle-Horse was developed mainly in 

 Kentucky. Because of bad roads, which made travel by 

 horseback necessary, an easy-gaited saddle-horse was desirable. 

 The saddle-horse had a great deal of Thoroughbred blood in 

 his early ancestry. Many pacers were also used in the breed- 

 ing-stock. A saddle-horse must have a very strong back in 

 order to carry his rider well. 



Stud Books. — Usually the men interested in a breed or 

 class of horses meet and form a society to promote the 

 interests of that breed. They publish a book in which are 

 listed the names, ages, owners, descriptions, and pedigrees of 

 their animals. A pedigree is the ancestry of the animal for 

 several generations back. Such books are called stud books. 

 When an animal has its name and description in one of these 

 books it is said to be registered. Each association lays down 

 certain rules and requirements which an animal must fulfil 

 before it can be registered. For example, before a saddle- 

 horse can be registered in the American Saddle-Horse Stud 

 Book he must be able to move in five different gaits — ^walk, 

 trot, rack, canter, and either running walk, fox-trot, or slow 

 pace. 



What has been said concerning the registering of horses in 

 stud books, is also true of all other kinds and breeds of ani- 

 mals. Men who raise pure-bred cattle have their herd books 



