THE STALLION. 135 



THE STALLION. 



Purity of blood is the very first consideration in a 

 stallion. He should not contain the slightest stain. 

 It matters not whether he is a racer, a Suffolk, a 

 Clydesdale, or any other sort, he must mvariably be 

 pure of his own breed. He will then suit for getting 

 either pure or half-bred stock. He requires to be 

 pure for mares of a mixed strain, because the first 

 cross is by far the best. When the crossing is conti- 

 nued, the quality is certain to deteriorate. I have often 

 heard people, after admu-ing a half-bred stallion, say they 

 would put their common-bred mares to him, as he was 

 just the sort of horse they would like to breed. Do 

 they ever succeed on this plan ? Certainly not. Their 

 only chance of obtaining what they want is, to put 

 their mares to a pm-e bred horse, and thus breed their 

 colts on the same principle as the half-bred stallion 

 himself was got. It has frequently strack me, that 

 want of attention to this rule has been the means of 

 brmging thorough-bred stalUons, as well as short- 

 homed bulls, into disrepute in country districts. The 

 result of the first cross is often a good-looking animal. 

 He is considered too good for castration, and conse- 

 quently is kept for a sire. His apparent strength, 

 good looks, and cheap price, added to a flaming pedi- 



