SECTION FIFTH. 



AGE OF THE HORSE. 



By the word age is generally understood, in speaking of the horse, 

 the time which has elapsed since his birth. It must not be confounded 

 with ages, or periods, a paronymous expression by means of which the 

 different periods of life are designated. 



Physiology teaches us, in fact, that the evolution of one same 

 organism passes through three very distinct periods of development : 



The first, during which it increases, grows, and acquires, little by 

 little, possession of its functional activities. 



The second, stationary or adult period, in which it has acquired its 

 complete development, possesses all the attributes of its species, all its 

 aptitudes, and remains stationary. 



The third, finally, of decline, in which it manifests more and more 

 the effects of organic deterioration and insensibly approaches decay and 

 death. 



These three periods of life, which characterize all beings whose evo- 

 lution is normal and complete, are, as will be understood, intimately 

 related to the time during which the organism has already lived. 



From an industrial point of view, the adult period is by far the 

 most important as it concerns our domestic animals. Characterized 

 by the regular and harmonious development of all his parts, this is the 

 time, says H. Bouley, in which the horse enjoys the fulness of all his 

 functions and is in a position to furnish, as a motor, the largest share 

 of useful services,^ 



It is of special interest to those who desire to reproduce and im- 

 prove him, prepare him for the sale, and develop his aptitudes, to 

 know exactly when he reaches or passes beyond this period in which 

 he acquires his greatest value. 



1 H. Bouley, Nouveau Dictionnaire pratique de medecine, de chirurgie et d'hygiene v6t6ri 

 naires, t. i. p. 200. 



38 593 



