179C Report of Farmers' Institutes 



mauj government races during the past century. The trotting 

 branch of this breed are required to go from a mile and a fourth to 

 over three miles, from a standing start under the saddle, over un- 

 even sod tracks, and the time tliev make under these conditions, 

 handled and ridden by the unskilled French trainers, shows that 

 the thoroughbred blood which is being used freely at the present 

 time has given them greater staying qualities than is found in any 

 other breed. 



The French Coacher, after a long and faithful trial in America, 

 did not produce the results expected. This was not entirely the 

 fault of the breed, as they were crossed with every kind of mares 

 from mustang to English Shire, and the colts produced were as 

 uneven as the dams, and in many cases of less value. But when 

 the stallions were mated with trotting bred and other light bred 

 mares, the colts in many instances were of high quality and stood 

 well to the front in the show rings, and for gentleman drivers. 



The auto and the demand for more rugged farm stock is respon- 

 sible for the decline of the French Coach horse, as well as all driv- 

 ing horses. It is to be regretted that a breed having the size, qual- 

 ity, finish, style, high action, speed and endurance of these horses 

 are not still bred even in limited numbers in this country. 



There were none imported from France in 1912, even though 

 prices were lower than in former years. This government does not 

 allow the French Coacher to come in free of duty now, as the recent 

 crossing with the thoroughbred prevents them to be classed as a 

 pure breed. 



