226 



THE HORSE IN SERVICE 



a horse is capable of exerting his draft power to the best advan- 

 tage is from two to two and a half miles per hour, the ordinary 

 walking rate. Power and pace are not correlated ; the speed 

 horse to accomplish his utmost must have the lightest impost 

 of weight, while the draft horse requires full time allowance 

 for the best performance of which he is capable ; therefore, as 

 more pace is required, less load can be hauled. 



The Duration of the Period of Work, or the Distance 

 Travelled. — The traction which a horse is capable of maintain- 

 ing continuously, for a day's work, as plowing, is much less 



Fig. 126. — The angle 

 formed by the traces with 

 the hames should be as near 

 a right angle as possible in 

 order to insure the proper di.s- 

 tribution of collar bearing on 

 the collar bed. 



Fig. 127. — The scapulo- 

 humeral and elbow-joints, 

 showing the position of the 

 bones of the shou^der and 

 arm and their relation to 

 collar bearing. 



Fig. 128. — The 

 breast or Dutch collar 

 in proper position. 



than that which can be accomplished in one short, supreme effort, 

 as in the starting of a load or even for a short haul. 



There is an intimate give-and-take relationship existing 

 among these factors by which the severity of a horse's work is 

 determined. They represent the means by which energy is 

 expended. 



The Application of the Power. — \Vliat might be considered 

 as the application of the power, on the part of the rider or 

 driver, is a most important factor in limiting what a horse can 

 do. Two drivers will show very different results in what they 

 take out of their horses in accomplishing the same work. One 

 husbands his horse's strength, speed, and stamina in such a way 



