The Status of the Horse Industry 245 



and the motor truck have also exerted a large influence 

 and to them the credit is partly due for educating the 

 buyers to select only the better class of horses. Motors 

 have especially displaced a large number of light horses. 

 If history repeats itself, and it is likely that it will, the type 

 of horses will soon readjust itself to the demand, which is 

 at present strongest for the draft horse and the light 

 horse that is strongly built, and therefore serviceably 

 built for draft, army, or any work that requires constitu- 

 tion and wearing ability. 



The value of the horses in the United States has kept in 

 close pace with the number. In the period when horses 

 were increasing in numbers, they were also increasing in 

 price. In 1897 the average price given by government 

 authorities was $31.50. In 1916 the value was $101.60, 

 which was a decrease since 1911, when the value was given 

 as $111.46. Of even greater importance is the value of 

 the horses in different sections. In the more thickly 

 settled states, where the agricultural development is 

 greater, the horses are of higher value. There are two 

 reasons for this situation. In the sections of greater 

 agricultural development, the food is of such a nature 

 that the horses produced are of higher value, and secondly, 

 as the West is more of a breeding center, there is less 

 local demand for commercial stock. These two points 

 may be illustrated. The value of horses produced in 

 grain and farming sections is higher than those produced 

 under range conditions, as the former are invariably larger 

 and better grown, due to heavier feeding, and therefore of 

 more value. The West with its undeveloped lands raises 

 many horses with but little or no grain. A study of horse 

 values shows a direct ratio existing between the agricul- 

 tural development and the value of the horses. Fertile 



