164 Ctoss- Breeding in Horses. 



taining to tlie progenitors, but not apparent in tlie parents, may 

 not, as in mixed pedigree, reappear in the offspring. This 

 argument is good to a certain extent, but it applies equally to 

 each parent, and if it can be dispensed with in the case of 

 the mare in order to secure size and boHe, it may also be given 

 up for ec[ual advantages in that of the sire, who would not 

 have been devoted to the stud unless in addition to his pure 

 lineage on one side, he had derived from the other some rare 

 hunting qualifications and sterling merits which it would be most 

 desirable to perpetuate. 



Conclusions. 



We have endeavoured in our preceding remarks to establish 

 the correctness of the following points : — 



(a) That the use of the thorough-bred horse or mare has 

 greatly improved the coarser bred in speed and in bottom. That 

 the blood has amalgamated exceedingly well Avith other breeds, 

 and that the good results of even one cross only has been seen in 

 various degrees and for several generations. 



(b) That the effect of crossing with the thorough-bred is to 

 increase the supremacy of the nervous and the muscular systems, 

 and is more particularly shown in the fuller development of the 

 thighs, the hind-quarters, and the elongation of the muscles 

 generally. But that with these advantages the bones, joints, 

 ligaments, and sinews are smaller and less powerful, and the 

 action, although quickened, is rendered lower and less safe. 

 The ability for jumping and for carrying heavy weights without 

 injury to the joints and sinews, is greatly diminished. The skin 

 is also rendered thinner and more liable to abrasion, the carcass 

 smaller, and there is a diminished capability for putting on 

 flesh. 



(c) That so long as suitable mares with sufficient substance 

 can be procured, the breeder of hunters should, on the rare 

 occasions when they are offered, avail himself of the services of a 

 first-class thorough-bred stallion, or even one of the second class, 

 provided he has hunting qualifications, — good substance, or good 

 high action in the trot or walk. 



(d) If, going a step further in the same direction, the breeder 

 seeks to put the female progeny to the blood-horse, he will most 

 frequently fail ; the offspring becoming too light ; whilst if he 

 had availed himself of the half-bred or threeparts-bred stallion 

 (the grandson of a great racehorse), his stock having the same 

 amount of breeding as the dam, would have afforded him a fair 

 chance of realising a high price, and failing this, a compara- 

 tive certainty of a fair sale for the cavalry, or for the general 

 market. 



