THE RATE OF GROWTH IN THE HORSE 



295 



Table I. — Showing Rate of Growth of a 14-hands Horse during Development 



V/EEKS 4 a IZ 16 ZO Zl- Z8 32 36 40 14- 'IS WEEKS 



100 c- m. 

 so cm. 



80 cm. 



10 cm. 



60 cm. 



50 cm. 



m cm. 



30 cm. 



zo cm. 



10 cm. 



o cm 



or that, rapid at first, it would gradually diminish as the growth j^ower of 

 the bones was lost. From the data already collected it appears that the 

 growth, rapid during the first month, is inconsidei'able during the second, 

 but more pronounced during the third, while from the fifth month onwards 

 the rate of growth may be said to diminish gradually, there being, however, 

 ups and downs, related to the shedding of the coat, weaning, or other dis- 

 turbing causes. In Tables II and III I have indicated the rate of growtli 

 that may be expected in a colt (born early in May and weaned in October) 

 that will eventually measure 56 to 58 inches at the withers. 



During the first month the growth at the withers is 11 "4 cm., during 

 the second 3 cm., and during the third 10 cm. Throughout the second 

 three months (4 to 6 inclusive) the growth at the withers is about the 

 same as during the third month; from the seventh to the ninth month it 

 is 6 cm., from the tenth to the twelfth 5 cm. Hence, during the first year 

 the total increase in height at the withers may be all but 42 cm. (16^ 

 inches). During the entire second year the growth may not exceed 8 cm. 

 (3j inches), and during the third year it may amount to less than an inch. 



