PONIES 



ground. This, in my humble opinion, is only due to his different 

 early surroundings and training. I have conspicuous examples 

 of Arabs and I have myself bred and trained in England. I 

 am inclined to think that the Arab's high intelligence and his 

 independence have been one of the stumbling blocks to his popu- 

 larity, for his training requires more care, study, and patience 

 than is the case with breeds which have become, through genera- 

 tions of unreasoning servitude and routine, more amenable. 

 Any way, I have followed out my convictions, and mated my 

 Arab mares with the English thoroughbred. I have never 

 hesitated a moment to use the biggest stallions — with the right 

 action, good bone, temper, and constitution. As yet, I have 

 not had a single animal bred on these lines over height. Unfor- 

 tunatelv, the continuance of the experiment has been much 

 retarded by the very curious circumstance that during eleven 

 years all the produce of these mares have been fillies ; I have 

 not had a single colt by an English thoroughbred. It will 

 not, therefore, be possible for some years to come for me to 

 continue the cross, and for it to reproduce itself. This circum- 

 stance is still more remarkable when it is noted that the same 

 Arab mares have produced two colts by Arab sires during this 

 period. I have heard many theories regarding such phenomena, 

 but found none to fit my case — except the theory that, as a 

 general rule, the most potent parent determines the sex. \Mien 

 I do get a stallion by an English thoroughbred, I believe I shall 

 have made the right nick, he will be a very exceptional animal, 

 and one of the highest value for breeding polo ponies. 



I feel constrained to add, lest my purpose be misconstrued, 

 that my theories and principles are merely the expression of 

 personal opinion, and I do not wish to dogmatise in any degree. 

 But I am convinced of one thing — that success in breeding can 



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