CHAPTER VI 

 HORSES 



The universal question that comes up in connection with the 

 farm is horsepower both for work and for travel. 



The horse is a machine used by man to appropriate to his 

 own use the energy stored up in plants. The horse eats these 

 feeds and uses the energy to develop power for his master. 

 This brings out one of the most important phases of the horse 

 industry, namely, exercise. 



HORSE ENVIRONMENT 



Since the horse is valuable only as it can develop speed and 

 power it is of the utmost importance that its environment ])e 

 such that these be developed. 



Colts. — It is a well-known fact that all young animals, as 

 they are growing, need exercise. It seems to be true that the 

 energy of feeds cannot all be used for growth and that some 

 of it needs to be worked off in the form of exercise. If this 

 is an important factor with all animals, and without doubt it 

 is, then it is doubly important in the care of colts. These 

 animals should be developed especially with respect to their 

 powers of locomotion, and for this exercise is very important. 

 Whoever has seen colts is famiUar with their ability and 

 willingness to run. The mother very frequently is decidedly 

 worried for fear her baby will get lost. Exercise may be 

 provided as the owner sees fit. But perhaps the most econom- 

 ical as well as the best way is in a good large pasture. This 

 is necessary not only for the colts but also for the mature 

 horses and especially the brood mares. 



Work Horses. — What is the purpose of the long period of 

 training in preparing for a horse race or a prize fight? To 

 develop the muscles for the work that is to be done. This 

 training may start a long time before the event, and the longer 



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