764 



VETEEINARY HYGIENE 



co-efficient of resistance, and as shown in the following 

 table it increases with the velocity : 



So that in the case of a man weighing 150 lbs., the effort 

 necessary to move the body at three miles an hour is about 

 71" lbs. for each step taken. 



Applying these figures to the horse, and assuming the 

 body-weight of the animal is 1000 lbs., while the pace is 

 five miles an hour, the animal would have to exert a 

 muscular effort of about 71 lbs. at each step to carry its 

 own weight ; while at 10 miles an hour an effort of 133 lbs. 

 is required for each stride. 



In the above table it is assumed the horse is working on 

 a level surface ; in going uphill it is obvious much more 

 effort is required, while in jumping the entire body- weight 

 has to be lifted. 



The table showing the co-efficient of resistance is mainly 

 academical, but it is introduced to impress the important 

 practical point of the great effort required by the muscular 

 system to carry the animal's own body-weight, and further 

 is intended to illustrate a point on which we shall presently 

 insist, that all horses must in the first instance be got fit 

 for work by carrying nothing more than their own weight. 



An animal oat of condition may be so from overfeeding 

 and insufficient work, or from too much work, or from too 

 much work combined with insufficient food, or finally as 

 the result of lameness or sickness. 



The appearance presented by each of these will naturally 



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