RAISING HORSES 61 



their own hook. New Jersey has appropriated $20,000 to provide stallions 

 of good draft and coach type for the use of farmers in grading up their 

 own stock. With co-operation the horseflesh of this country is bound 

 to improve. Stricter laws are in force, beginning January 1, 1911, to 

 insure only pure bred importations, so that it is clear, the United States 

 Department of Animal Husbandry is lending its aid in every possible way 

 to benefit American breeders. The government is confident that carefui 

 breeding of live stock pays. 



SOME HORSE Since prehistoric times, when man first got the mastery 

 HISTORY of the now extinct wild original, the horse has been 



developed for various purposes according to man's 

 various needs. From that early specimen which three million odd years 

 ago lived and thrived in many parts of the world, in size not much larger 

 than a dog, with two toes on his front feet and triple cleft on his hind 

 feet it's a long and interesting story to the horse of today. But for 

 practical purposes it is hardly worth while for us to look back much far- 

 ther than the 17th century, A. D., when Arabian blood horses were intro- 

 duced into Europe and marked the first real step toward special improve- 

 ment. It was by means of this Arabian stock that breeders in England 

 worked out their improvements and reached at last the highest types of 

 animals we know today as English Thoroughbreds, Racers, Hunters and 

 Hackneys. It was from these in turn this country developed the American 

 Horse, which we have perfected chiefly in trotting. 



BIG DATES IN The keeping of studbooks dates from 1808 when 



HORSE HISTORY the English Thoroughbred was established. But 



previous to that time, in 1797, Diomed, winner of 



the first English Derby, was imported to this country. Bull Rock, which 

 Virginia imported in 1730, is believed to be the first Thoroughbred brought 

 to this country. But Diomed, then 20 years old, may be said to be our 

 greatest early importation. In 1836 Glencoe was successfully imported and 

 the later Leamington was the next most important arrival, since which 

 there have been many and various importations from every country. 



MADE IN As already stated, America has improved the Thorough- 

 AMERICA breds. These horses average now over 15 hands, 2 inches 

 high and weigh probably 150 Ibs. more than fifty years ago, 

 and show improved individual qualities. This improvement is thought to 

 be due to ^better natural conditions, since .animals are housed less over 

 here, have better pasture, and other conditions better for their feet, on 

 which so much depends in horse development. In general the changes in 

 America have been along practical lines, to meet working needs, rather 

 than the demand of sport or pleasure. The use of light vehicles here, 

 and the improvement of our roads have helped to develop high trotting 

 ability. 



II. Draft Horses 



With most horse-raising communities the type of horse selected will 

 be one of the many draft breeds. 



Hprs types may be considered under two main classifications, Draft 

 and Light Horses. 



Draft horses are the heaviest and largest of horse breeds, and have 

 been developed to meet the demand of cities for trucking purposes. The 

 chief draft breeds are Percheron, Belgian, Clydesdale, Suffolk and Shire. 



In form draft horses are massive but low built, blocky, compact, 

 animals, They suggest power in every feature of their development. In 



