II April, 1910.] Government Certification' of Stallions. 



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reasonable standard for Government certification. As regards unsoundnesses, 

 detailed particulars concerning the grounds for rejection are given in the 

 following table ; — 



Analysis of Defects of Stallions Refused Certificates for 

 Seasons 1907, 1908, 1909 (to 31/12/09). 



Rejections for Unsoundness. 

 Of all horse.s examined, 15.83 have been refused certificates on the 

 ground of hereditary unsoundness solely. This percentage is comparatively 

 small when compared with the results that ha,ve been published as regards 

 hereditary unsoundness in some other countries. But any ground for 

 congratulation in this respect is removed, when it is realised that in respect 

 of draught horses no less than 25.07 per cent., or practically one-fourth 

 of all horses submitted, have been rejected as being affected wdth one or 

 other of the hereditary unsoundnesses. The position as regards draught 

 horses cannot thus be considered as other than serious ; but hope, as regards 

 a quick improvement from the continuance of the present system of examina- 

 tion, may be gathered from the results that have followed on the similar 

 action which was taken 25 vears ago by the Royal Shire Horse Societv 

 of Great Britain as regards unsoundness. At that time, about 30 per cent. 



