TiiK Morgan Horse. 175 



But after all this, and it is admitted that they are the best 

 liorses for all work in the country, that they are the most 

 capable of performing the various labors of a horse in New 

 England, the fashion is for a tall, rangy horse, and the Mor- 

 gan is not as tall as some other families. 



Ah, here is the point ; the shoddy aristocracy of New 

 York have set the fashion. They well knew their favorites 

 could not compare with the Morgan in the grand combina- 

 tion that goes to make up the horse of all work ; but their 

 horses were taller, therefore by setting the faslrion for tall 

 horses the Morgans would bo left out in the cold. 



In reply to this, I protest against New York dictating the 

 fashion of our horses, and I protest against our being such 

 consuuunate fools as to try to follow. 



This fashion has been the great stumbling block in the 

 way of our breeders, leading them to neglect the useful 

 points in their anxiety to rear a sixteen hand horse, to suit 

 the fashion of the hour. 



How strikingly is tins illustrated in the history of the 

 horse business in this State. When we were breeding the 

 purer Morgan of twenty years ago Vermont stood at the 

 head of the list in the production of fine horses. But the 

 attempt to rear a tall, rangy horse to hit this fashion has 

 had a damaging effect upon our horses. They were no 

 more adapted to our surroundings than the rank growing, 

 late maturing corn of the prairies is for the hills of Ver- 

 mont. 



It is a self evident fact that the perfect size for a horse is 

 the size nature has lavished the most gifts upon that pleases 



