CHAPTER VIII 
WORK ANIMALS 
Horses for the South.—Although the tendency of 
American farmers is to adopt mechanical means of ac¬ 
complishing work in the field, there will be a demand for 
horses or mules to supply the needs of Southern farmers. 
The farm tractor does much of the work that has been 
found too hard for animals, during hot weather. It has 
not yet been so well adapted to the needs of small farm¬ 
ers and truck gardeners. 
Types.—Harness or carriage, saddle, and draft horses 
have been recognized as distinct types. The first two 
kinds of horses are light bodied animals, unsuited for 
farm work. They are developed now for the race track 
and show ring, while the automobile provides a large part 
of our transportation. Draft horses include those heavy 
animals which supply the power for moving the plows, 
cultivators and wagons. 
Qualities.—In order to pull heavy loads, a draft horse 
must have weight. We consider sixteen or eighteen hun¬ 
dred pounds as a very suitable weight for the draft horse. 
This weight should not be in a form that is too awkward 
to move rapidly. A draft horse should be able to lift his 
feet and move with ease. However, in order to move 
heavy loads, he must not be too high above the ground. 
His body should be deep and wide. The muscles of the 
legs of a draft horse must be powerful, and the bones 
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