Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 January 1915 — MAKE-UP OF A HORSE Interesting Experiment Twenty-one Animals. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MAKE-UP OF A HORSE

Interesting Experiment Twenty-one Animals.

Data in Regard to Efficiency of Thraa Different Rations for Fattening Purpose*—Weight Not Controlling Factor in Making Gains.

(By W. A. COCHEL.)

The ability of a horse to lay on- flesh is largely a matter of individuality controlled by disposition, temperament, age, condition, digestive capacity and type. A most interesting experiment was made, with 21 horses, to obtain data in regard to the efficiency of three different rations for fattening purposes. The point to be discussed in this article, however, is merely that of the changes in form due to fattening. The average gains made by horses weighing over 1,450 pounds at the beginning of the experiment were practically the same as those of lighter horses, which would seem to indicate that weight is not a controlling factor in making gains. Mature horses, six or seven years of age, made more satisfactory gains than those four to five years of age. A record of the outline ,of the chest and of the middle of the paunch of each horse was made at the beginning and close of the experiment by means of an adjustable chain, for. the purpose of determining where the fat was placed on the body. Results showed that there was little change in depth of body, especially at the heart girth, but there was an apparent improvement in the spring of rib and a very material increase in the width of body throughout. It would seem from the facts obtained that the greatest change in form due to the fattening process is noted in those parts of the body where there is the heaviest covering of muscle and that in those regions where there is

No. I—Showing Average Line of Chest for Twenty Draft Horses at Beginning and Close of Experiment, No. 2—Showing the Average Outline at Middle of Paunch for Twenty Draft Horses at Beginning and Close of Experiment. little muscle the changes were insignificant. One very marked change in the form of the chest is noted in the location of the point of greatest width, which is nearly two Inches higher in the fat animal than one in thin condition. Theue is a smoothness in outline and rptundity of form after fattening whiohi is entirely absent before the finishing process is started. In the outlines of the middle x of paunch of thin horses there is a flattened appearance above the median, while the same measurements after fattening result in almost a perfect circle. While there is some change in the lower half of the middle girth, the greater change in the upper half eliminates from the jiat animal that degree of paunchiness ■frhich is displeasing and adds very much to the neatness of the individual. As a few of the horses used in the experiment were kept at heavy work immediately after the close of the experiment, it is interesting to note that as they lost in weight and condition they assumed a form similar to that which they had before the fattening period. These changes are so striking as to need little or no comment, but show that the horse at hard work may not only utilize his daily rations for the production of work but may draw upon the reserve energy which is stored up in the form of fat on his body. While additional data should be secured along these lines before final conclusions are made, the results here presented seem to indicate that the greatest change in fattening horses is one of width rather than depth, that

Changes in Cross Section of Chest of One Horse From Beginning of Experiment to Close, and After Six Months’ Hard Work. No. I—Horse at Beginning. No. 2—Horse at Close. No. 3—After Six Months’ Hard Work. \ . ... the smoothness, symmetry and general appearance are greatly improved by the “rounding out” process due to deposit of fat within the muscles, and. that the form of the, individual horse is largely a matter of condition, while the type is almost Entirely due to breeding.