BREEDING THE TROTTER 



As to size I prefer a stallion about 15. 2, but, all 

 other things being satisfactory, his size might 

 range anywhere from 15.1 to 16 hands. The 

 majority of the most successful sires stand about 

 15.2 hands. Only a small percentage of the 16- 

 hand stallions become great sires. There are too 

 many blanks at that height. A comparison in 

 the human race is the weight of the greatest men, 

 more of them weighing one hundred and fifty 

 pounds than two hundred pounds. 



The stallion should have a beautiful masculine 

 look in all his actions; an impressive, clean-cut 

 head and a long neck, with great width between 

 expressive eyes. The eyes I prefer to be hazel- 

 colored. He should be full-chested, well-muscled 

 and carry a beautiful waterspout tail at all times. 

 In color of coat I prefer a seal brown. There are 

 fewer blanks in that color. The next colors in 

 order of preference are dark chestnut (not sorrel), 

 bay and black. 



I prefer as little white marking as possible, 

 although there are many good horses with white 

 legs. I do not object to a star and hind ankles 

 white. Many people object to a great deal of 

 white about a horse because such animals are hard 

 to mate. Others object to white hoofs, but I con- 

 sider that nonsense. I do not think white hoofs 

 are any more brittle or thin-shelled than black 

 ones. You find such hoofs of both colors. 



The stallion should have plenty of substance 

 and be a horse of quality. He should have good 

 bone, the very best of legs and feet and perfect 



72 



