lo Aug., 1910.] 



The Stud Horse hidustry. 



493 



muscles and bones set into such shape and position that he loses all 

 chance of growing into a well-balanced, well-formed horse. On the 

 other hand, the colt that is always kept " above himself " in condition, 

 gallops about and develops his muscles. He stands square and alert, and 

 moves with his head up and tail cocked. His ribs are well sprung out, 

 and his muscles, being well padded or bandaged so to speak, with a layer 

 of fat, are kept in position. So he grows up a well-balanced, properly 

 turned horse, with a beauty of form, an elasticity of gait, and a buoyancy 

 of spirit that give him character and merit as a sire. 



Stud masters in the countries in which breeding is most successfullv 

 carried on have recognised the immense importance of these two factors 

 I have been speaking of, in the rearing of stud stock — hand feed and 

 shelter — and hence largely their continued supremacy in turning out high 

 ■class stud stock. In the South Island of New Zealand, from which comes 

 the greatest rmmber of stud horses imported to this State, the rigorous 



Foaled 1904. 



OVAAi.i. 

 Winner of Cawdor Cup, igo6, and of Brydon Shield, 1907. 



winter weather demands that both these features should be given attention; 

 and the practice there is to both liberally hand-feed and to winter-house 

 or shelter the colts intended for stallions. In my opinion, so long as these 

 practices are neglected in Victoria, so long will we have to depend on out- 

 side sources for the up-keep of the size and quality of our draught horse 

 stock. 



The reform required in this matter would, I feel sure, be greatlv 

 hastened by the establishment by Agricultural Societies of Foal Shows or 

 Sires Produce Stakes for yearlings, to be competed for at. the Annual 

 Stallion Parades in the early spring. In such competitions the amount of 

 money subscribed is such that the prizes can be made substantial, and a big 

 entry is secured. It follows that the colts eligible for entry are more 

 likely to be well done to during the previous winter, and the likelihood is 

 that a greater number will be kept in the condition necessary to develop- 

 ment towards stallionhood than at present. That, I believe, has been the 



