FOR THE FARM, ROAD, OR FIELD. 125 



portant question, and one whicli our national society does well 

 to encourage. Having selected the breed best adapted for our pur- 

 pose, it is imperative that the breeder should begin laying a sure 

 foundation, by securing the very best material possible. This 

 will be most speedily accomplished by obtaining a fresh young 

 mare, not less than three years old, bay or brown for choice, 

 with as little white as possible, as although white markings are 

 considered as denoting pure breeding, still a whole colour will 

 ever be the favourite with most purchasers ; many will and do 

 object to white, while few, if any, will find fault with the want 

 of it. Perfection of shape must be aimed at. The head, well set 

 on to the neck, should be broad in the jaw with wide open 

 nostril. Eyes not too close set but rather wide, the pupil of 

 which should be large and prominent bespeaking courage, 

 docility, and intelligence. Ears nicely set on, should be pro- 

 portionate to the size of the animal, moving or still, as the 

 motion of the eye directs, with a strong muscular neck coming 

 well out from the shoulders, which should not be too upright, 

 otherwise the long sweeping action, so great a disideratum in 

 any horse, will be in a manner lost. Well sprung deep ribs are 

 most essential ; the back ribs especially must not be too short. 

 Broad massive quarters lying well up to thera, giving additional 

 strenfT^th and taking awav from the lenf^th of the back. Thi^dis 

 with well-developed muscle showing down to the hock, which 

 should be broad, wide, clean, and not too straight-up, otherwise, 

 the probability will be unsoundness in the shape of bog spavin, 

 thorough pin, &c. ; neither too much bent, which detracts much 

 from the appearance if not from the value of a farm horse. 

 The forearms, like the thighs, should show great muscular 

 development down to the knee, which should be broad and Hat, 

 the shank bone from knee to pastern being short, witli the 

 tendons coming well out from the back, giving the broad fiat 

 leg so much desired for wear and tear. Care, however, should 

 be taken, that the shank bone comes properly away from the 

 knee joint, otherwise, the weakly and unsightly back knees, or 

 what is termed calf shins, will be the consequence. Upright 

 short pastern joints should be rigidly guarded against, yet not too 

 long, wliich would introduce an element of weakness. Clood 

 round healthy feet, with open heels, must ])e insisted u})on. 

 The back ])art of the leg, from the knee downwards, should be 

 clothed with long fine silky hair. A mare with these attributes, 

 standing square upon her legs, must have true action, and if 

 about lG-1 or 16-2 in height, if mated with a sire inheriting 

 these cliaracteristics, must })roduce an animal ]>n»titabh! and 

 creditable to the breeder. It is the utmost folly using an 

 inferior stallion merely because he calls weekly at the lionie- 

 stead. The very best sire should be sought out, and no reason- 



