PONIES 



they are economising. Rearing young stock on these hnes is, 

 in my opinion, false economy. 



The proper mating and selection of the sire is important. 

 Some good sires will not mate well with good mares. The 

 farmer must be guided by his ideal of what he desires to breed 

 as to what horse he selects. I am inchned to think that a 

 travelhng sire is a more sure foal getter than a stationary one. 

 The latter, often, is pampered in feeding, a wanting in exercise 

 and nerve power to mate successfully. I hope that every 

 student will help in the district where he may come from to 

 get a combination of farmers to purchase, or to hire one of the 

 most suitable sires obtainable, if private enterprise does not 

 iurnish a good one. It is desirable to know the past history 

 of a sire before securing him. Inquiry should be made whether 

 he has been an impressive sire. To ensure this, his back breed- 

 ing must be good and pure. Has he been a sure foal getter ? 

 Is his progeny inclined to softness, and particular softness of 

 constitution brought on by over feeding and want of exercise ? 

 Sweating on the least exertion is hereditary from sires, from 

 some of those studs which are kept entirely for breeding — 

 studs where the sires are pampered to such an extent that 

 what stock they get show the taint for two or three generations. 

 The offspring of such animals are generally weaker and smaller 

 than themselves, being difficult and expensive to rear. 



I have kept in the background the modern word " shire " 

 so far. The Shire Horse Show Society has done excellent work ; 

 and by registering, mating together, and preserving the best, 

 they have well earned the honour of giving what name they 

 like best to the breed they have done so much to improve. 



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