ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 
CHAPTER I 
THE BREEDS OF HORSES 
THERE are two distinct types of horses,—light and heavy. The 
light is useful for driving and light, fast work. This group is 
further divided into running, trotting, pacing, saddling, coaching, 
and similar types. Horses belonging to the light type are usually 
designated light horses, while those belonging to the heavy are 
called draft horses. As the form or conformation best adapted 
for one type is different from that of the other, we cannot find 
both united in the same animal. It is a physical impossibility to 
have maximum speed and maximum draft in the same engine, 
and it is no less the case among horses. 
1. Light type. — In conformation, horses belonging to the light 
type vary considerably, depending on the purpose for which they 
are adapted. For example, the saddle horse differs in many re- 
spects from the running horse, and the trotter or pacer has many 
characteristics unlike either. However, since all horses belonging 
to the light type are intended for light and rather fast work, they 
possess many points in common. 
In general conformation, the light type of horse is rather tall, 
the limbs long, and the distance from the chest to the ground 
is more than one-half the height of the horse from the withers 
to the ground. The distance from the withers to the knee and 
from the hips to the hock is great. The animals are somewhat 
narrow but rather deep in front. In general form the light type 
resembles the greyhound. 
3 
