# 



CHAPTER XXIX 



HORSES AND MULES 



So did this horse excel a common one 



In shape, in courage, color, pace and bone. 



Broad breast, full eye, small head and nostril wide, 



High crest, short ears, straight legs and passing strong. 



Look, what a horse should have he did not lack. SHAKESPEARE 



428. Importance of horses. There are one hundred million 

 horses in the world, of which one fifth are in the United States. 

 There are also eight and a quarter million mules in the world, 

 half of which are in the United States, principally in the south- 

 ern and south-central states. The American farmer employs more 

 labor-saving machinery and uses more horse power than does any 

 other farmer. The scale of intelligence and the income of the 

 farmers of the world are largely associated with these factors. 



429. Early history of the horse. The Arabians were the 

 first people to develop the horse to a high degree of excel- 

 lence. They used their horses for riding long distances at a 

 rapid rate, and frequently required them to go many hours 

 without food or water. Under such conditions only the hardiest 

 survived. Moreover, the horse was the Arab's only companion 

 much of the time ; consequently the horse most sought was the 

 one possessing the greatest degree of intelligence and most 

 capable of being a good companion. Thus the Arabian horse 

 has long been noted for its endurance, courage, intelligence, 

 and friendly disposition. 



33 



