HORSES. 189 



The Horse. 



The horse is adapted by nature to various uses. The result 

 of breeding has produced two distinct types : 



1. The light type. 



2. The heavy type. 



Each type has been divided again according to adaptability 

 to perform some peculiar kind of labor. Breeding for certain 

 characteristics has resulted in the following well-recognized types 

 of light horses : 



(a) Running, (b) Trotting, (c) Pacing, (d) Saddling, (e) Coach- 

 ing, etc. 



and the following types of heavy horses : 



(a) Light Draft, (b) Medium Draft, (c) Heavy Draft. 



Recognizing the fact that modern inventions have resulted 

 in various means of travel that have taken the place of the light 

 types, it is the purpose of this chapter to encourage the produc- 

 tion of only those horses that will meet the demands of the 

 market. 



The ideal horse for the farm is the draft horse. 



The great farm-horse problem is the cost of horse labor for 

 the farm. 



The region, the type of farming may be a determining fac- 

 tor, but for general purposes on the average farm, the selection 

 of a work horse should be made on a basis of certain well-defined 

 and recognized facts, among which the following are given for 

 the farm student: 



Do not keep geldings, because they return nothing for the 

 cost of maintenance except their labor. By the time a gelding 

 has reached his greatest efficiency as a work animal at 5 or 6 

 years of age, he begins to depreciate in value. 



The number of mature work horses on the farm should be 

 limited to brood mares. The work of the farm can be done by 

 the brood mares and by the colts while they are growing into the 

 maximum value. 



