190 THE HORSE 



barnyard, if it chanced to be somewhat protected from 

 the winds. 



Under such conditions, climate played an important 

 part in modifying the growth and structure of both 

 horses and cattle. But little improvement could be 

 made in animals where they were subjected for nearly 

 half a year to climatic conditions as damp and rigorous 

 as those found in the greater part of the eastern and 

 middle states. The improvement in horses which has 

 been made in the last half -century could not have taken 

 place had not the rigorous climatic conditions been 

 changed by the erection of suitable and better stables in 

 which it is possible to radically modify environment. 

 Low temperatures, especially when accompanied by 

 humidity, tend to increase the protective covering of 

 animals. They also tend to arrest the development 

 of symmetrical top and bottom lines. The Shorthorn, 

 which stands humped up for long periods, sooner or 

 later transmits something of its enforced curvature of 

 the spine to its offspring. Where there is constant suf- 

 fering on account of cold and exposure, the hair 

 thickens, the flank rises, the rear of the animal tends to 

 diminish, while the front end, which contains what are 

 known as the vital organs, tends to become relatively 

 larger. Improve the climatic conditions so that the food 

 energy will not have to be so largely expended to main- 

 tain bodily heat, and there is a steady tendency to 

 restore the harmony between the rear and front ends of 

 the animal. If, in addition to improving climatic con- 

 ditions, the food be improved, the change for the better 

 becomes rapid and marked. 



