CHAPTER IV 

 THE TYPES OF HORSES 



A HORSE^s usefulness depends upon his power of locomotion, 

 and whether he moves with power, speed, show, or to carry 

 weight will determine Avhether he is a draft, a race, a show, or 

 a saddle horse. The sum total of those characteristics, by which 

 adaptability to the different kinds of service is detennined, con- 

 stitutes tlie type. 



Draft Type. — The service of the draft horse is to furnish 

 poAver to move the heaviest of loads, usually over the paved 

 surfaces of traffic-congested city streets (Fig. 32). Special 

 efficiency in this line of service depends upon the possession of : 

 ^^^^ 1. Wei^-ht suffic ient (1500 to 2400 pounds) to hold the horse 

 ' to a secure footing during muscular exertion, by increasing the 

 friction between the shoe and the opposing hard, smooth surface 

 of the roadway or pavement. Weight thrown into the collar 

 also supplements muscular exertion. 



2. Low statio n, to bring the centre of gravity as near the base 

 of support as possible, thereby increasing stability of equilib- 

 rium, as stability of equilibrium is the measure of power. 

 Length of leg is largely determined by length of canon bone, and 

 a short canon is correlated with, and therefore indicative of a 

 short, broad, deep, and compact horse. 



3. Breadth^to. give a horse ample skeletal foundation for the 

 support of great muscular development, and also to increase 

 laterally the base of suj^i^rt, which affords a much more stable 

 balance and in turn increases the power. 



4. Depth, to afford heart, lung, and digestive capacity, which 

 is a most essential asset to a horse which must expend much 

 energy, almost continually, for long hours, and six days a week. 



5. Compactness, to insure a short vertebral column, bring- 

 ing the source of power, the hindquarters, nearer to the applica- 

 tion of power at the shoulder, thereby minimizing loss in trans- 

 mission, and making for strength and rigidity of the shaft, as 

 it were. 



35 



