6 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



secure by the intelligent breeding and utilization of the 

 horse, as well as the great economy secured in substitut- 

 ing brute force for human energy. This also illustrates 

 the strength of the horse as an economic animal. Though 

 he has been threatened by the steam car, the bicycle, the 

 electric street and suburban car, by the automobile and 

 the like, he has steadily increased in numbers and value. 

 As a source of power and as a substitute for human labor 

 in combination with machines, the horse's economic place 

 is more strongly established than ever before. 



Since the horse is such an economic factor in our pro- 

 duction and progress, we should acquaint ourselves with 

 the history and methods of improvement of this most 

 useful and pleasure-giving animal ; so that not only good 

 horses may be produced, but that such selection, breed- 

 ing, feeding and training be practiced as will secure, not 

 only the best horses, but those which shall be best 

 adapted to the work for which they are intended. It is 

 not only unwise but poor economy to grow a horse which 

 will increase man's productive power only fivefold, when 

 a more intelligent effort might have produced one which 

 would increase it ten times. 



