BREEDING THE TROTTER 



hocks. I insist on strong hocks for they are 

 usually a horse's weakest point. There are three 

 things my ideal stallion must possess : good looks, 

 good eyes, and good hocks. 



As to action the stallion must have plenty of it, 

 a nice round stroke, but he must not be choppy 

 gaited. The greatest trouble with many trotters 

 is, they have not action enough in front to get out 

 of the way of their hind feet. There is some- 

 thing impressive about a horse with an even, 

 unchangeable stride. 



The stallion should have plenty of natural 

 speed, so that he may be hitched at any time, go 

 out for a brush and show within a notch or two 

 of his speed without making any fuss about it or 

 asking to be excused. 



MY IDEAL STALLION. 



My requirements may be very exacting, but if 

 they are satisfied the horse will be nearly per- 

 fect. The horse which in my experience came 

 nearest filling the bill was Prince Regent (2.16^ 

 to high wheels). He was a son of M^mbrino 

 King and the first foal of Estabella, the dam of 

 Heir-at-Law (2.05%), etc. Prince Regent died 

 in the spring of his seven-year-old form, just pre- 

 vious to commencing his stud season. Sixty- 

 four mares had been booked to him that year at 

 five hundred dollars. He sired twenty-three 

 foals, of which nine have standard records averag- 

 ing 2.16, including Bright Regent (2.06%), Emily 

 (2.11), etc. 



73 



