Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 February 1913 — FACTORS THAT DETERMINE QUALITY IN HORSE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FACTORS THAT DETERMINE QUALITY IN HORSE

BY W. W. SMITH,

I, Animal Husbandry Department, Purdue University School of Agriculture. Purdue University Agricultural Extension.

That quality adds to the value of a horse Is clearly recognized by experienced breeders, dealers and users of horses the world over. It not only contributes to “looks,” but it id an essential of strength, durability and wearing' qualities. These are elements sought for by the breeders who are trying to produce the highest type of horse of whatever class —heavy as well as light. Quality is fineness of texture as opposed to coarseness of texture. It refers to the size and character of the fibey out of which a part is made. Quality means fineness of fiber and denseness of structure. Good quality of bone is dense, hard, steel-like in character as compared with bone which ,is poor in quality; In the latter, the fibers out of which the bone that is made are coarse and large, the bone is, threfore, porous, Bpongy and wood-like in character, instead of steellike in character. The cannon home of a fine quality thoroughbred horse, for example, when tapped with the fingers or knuckles has the ring of steel. It is hard and flintlike in character. The cannon bone of a horse of poor quality is usually round, meaty and feels as if thete was a thin beefsteak between the skin and the bone. Tapping such bone as this emits a sound more like the tapping of a water-soaked < post than anything having the ring of steel. A cubic inch of bone of quality will frequently weigh nearly twice as much as the same mass of poor quality bone. If a horse has quality it is apparent in every feature, line and part of his makeup. It is shown in hard, tough appearing horn; clean, hard bone.

free from thick skin, coarse hair, puffs and general meatiness. The tendons are prominent and clearly defined, the joints are hard, bony and clean cut in their outline, showing an entire absence of tissue which might interfere with the free, easy action of the part. The coat is naturally fine and soft and the mane and tail, Instead of being stiff and wiry in character, has a peculiar lightness and fineness about it. The ears are pointed and fine and the head and face lean, hard and refined. The skin of a horse of much quality is fairly thin, and when exercised the blood veins of the surface appear with unusual clearness. This is the meaning of “blood-like” appearance; it is simply the result of quality. Perhaps the farm horse is not *so much in need of quality as he is o£ quantity. Certain it is that a good horse must have both. By combining the two we get a horse of substance. Also it seems to be easier to get quality in the light horses than it is in the heavy horse, It is is difficult to secure sufficient size with quality. On the other hand, we should understand that smallnesß alone is not quality. No greater mistake could be made in the selection of the stallion than that of ignoring all essentials but quality. Such breeding would result in a rapid' degeneration in size and substance. To be qf greatest value to the horse, quality must be associated with weight and size. If there is added to these correct conformation we have the faotors most important in determining the length of a horse’s usefulness as a worker, his freedom from unsound* ness, his strength and stamina and endurance.

An Indiana Bred Draft Mare Combining Size and Quality.