32 THE HORSE 



breeders were vieing with one another to produce animals 

 to win races, many of which were valuable, for country- 

 bred horses. What was found to be the best system was to 

 cross the country mare with an Arabian, and then follow on 

 with the thoroughbred horse. The Arabian at once knocked 

 out the ungainly points, the very low croup and long back, 

 and put a fashion into the progeny which remained for 

 generations, and this was seldom effected by using an 

 English sire in the first instance. No doubt good horses 

 were occasionally bred by so doing, but then in all prob- 

 ability the mare was an exceptionally shapely animal, and 

 most likely had some Barb breeding" in the background 

 which was not known. I have also seen good horses bred 

 by using the English horse first, and then an Arabian. 

 For the general run of mares, however, experience seemed 

 to teach that it was preferable to use an Arabian sire first, 

 and then to continue with English thoroughbred ones for 

 subsequent generations. 



It should be added that roaring and whistling are quite 

 unknown amongst them, possibly due to the very dry 

 climate. I even remember an English thoroughbred mare 

 being taken out there " that made a noise," which in the 

 course of twelve months became so perfectly clear in her 

 respiratory organs she would have passed any veterinary 

 examination, and have received a certificate of being 

 " sound in wind." 



