398 TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 



Fig. 128. Before and After Fattening. 



A gelding fattened by Mr. B. E. Carmichael of the Ohio Experiment 

 Station. Fattening shortened the back, filled out the coupling, smoothed 

 the hips, lengthened and levelled the croup, rounded out the middle, gave 

 crest to the neck, transformed his angular lines into pleasing curves, and 

 changed his worried expression of eye and ear to one of contentment, alertness, 

 and spirit. The feet and legs, however, are not improved during the fattening 

 period. 



It might be assumed from these pictures that fat will transform the head, 

 neck, and entire top of a horse from inferior to excellent. However, when 

 fat this gelding does not have the big middle which a fat horse should have, 

 neither does he show just the right lines and proportions. It is difficult to 

 recognize the merits of a thin animal, and it is almost as difficult to see the 

 faults of a fat one. The above pictures strikingly illustrate these facts. 



