136 THE ORANGE COUNTY 



curbs are less frequent than they were five-and-twenty years 

 ago. This may fairly be attributed to the fact, that con- 

 siderable circumspection has been exercised in avoiding such 

 animals for breeding purposes as, possessing peculiar con- 

 formations in their hocks, would render their offspring 

 predisposed to those defects. Blindness is certainly less 



Cvalent than formerly. Superior management in the stable 

 evidently assisted in averting this evil, insufficiently ven- 

 tilated, dark stables, with an accumulation of dung to generate 

 ammonia, are fortunately out of fashion. 



There is an impression that roaring is more frequent ; 

 and among race-horses it is not without foundation. As an 

 hereditary complaint it may certainly be traced to several 

 sources to horses whose progeny have, in many instances, 

 given unequivocal testimony of the infirmity. When the fact 

 is seriously considered, it is surprising that gentlemen of 

 known talent, owners of valuable studs, liberal in every 

 item of expense calculated to promote the success of their 

 young racing stock, should ever breed from sires or dams 

 known to entail this malady on their progeny. A veterinary 

 surgeon of great ability and observation has stated that every 

 staUion, when consigned to the stud, becomes a roarer. It is 

 a startling assertion, and induced me to investigate the fact 

 very minutely. The result does not corroborate the state- 

 ment to the full extent of the declaration, although I dis- 

 covered sufficient to lead me to the conviction that it is a 

 very prevalent affliction. I must here, however, introduce 

 a reserving clause, arising from the difficulty which exists of 

 positively deciding upon every case, which I shall enter upon 

 more minutely as I proceed. In contradiction to the asser- 

 tion of the professional, I must observe that at various times 

 I had two hunters, which were used for stud purposes dur- 

 ing the summer; one of them continued in my possession 

 three seasons, the other two; most assuredly they were not 

 either of them roarers. This might have been, and very 

 probably was, prevented by the work they performed during 

 the hunting season, for it is quite certain that very many 

 stallions, especially those which belong to private breeding 

 establishments, and are kept principally for the use of these es- 

 tablishments, do not enjoy that exercise which is absolutely 

 necessary for the maintenance of their health. The country 

 stallion, which travels from fair to fair, and from market to 

 market, is infinitely more favorably treated in this respect, 

 than his more highly-distinguished brother who presides over 

 a private and choice seraglio. 



