CHAPTER V 
CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF HORSES 
WHILE we have no available data in the United States on the 
number of horses and mules consumed, or used up, in a year, yet 
a very conservative estimate would be approximately two million, 
this to include export animals as well as those consumed at home. 
These horses must be replaced as consumed, or there will be 
a horse famine. There are approximately ten million mares 
in the United States, of which we will assume one-half, or five 
million, are of breeding age. If we are to raise the two million 
colts, both horse and mule, it means that at least one-half, of this 
number must be bred each year. 
140. Plan of improvement. — A clearly defined plan of pro- 
cedure should be thought out before the farmer makes the attempt 
to breed horses. To do this a good knowledge of horses and horse- 
breeding should be secured. Breeding establishments and horse- 
producing farms should be visited. One should familiarize himself 
with the methods of successful horse-breeders, should note the 
conditions that lead to success and those that cause failure. The 
horse-producer should study his conditions. Some conditions 
will be favorable to the production of one class, some to another. 
It should be kept clearly in mind, whatever the type or class 
chosen, whether it is light or heavy, or for speed or draft, that 
none but superior horses will sell at remunerative prices. There 
will always be an overproduction of common horses, which will 
be the first to be affected by oversupply and other business depres- 
sions, and the last to be revived. The'market should be studied 
also. In some sections the demand will be for a certain class and 
in other sections another class will be in most demand. 
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