162 - THE HORSE IN AMERICA 



large breeders, but pretty nearly every farmer has 

 a saddle mare or two that are regularly bred. But 

 the supply is not up to the demand. The dealers 

 and trainers have their eyes open all the time for 

 promising individuals to train for the show rings, 

 and supply to wealthy customers in various parts 

 of the country. They get first choice because they 

 are willing, when they come across a particularly 

 fine specimen, to take it even as a yearling. As 

 these animals are usually not salable until four 

 years old, it will be seen that the disposal of the 

 yearling is an attractive thing for the breeder and 

 risky for the dealer. But there are still a good 

 many of them needed for use at home, as the 

 young Blue Grass Kentuckian must have his sad- 

 dler so that he can range the country-side at will. 

 Most men, unacquainted with the easy gaits of a 

 Kentucky saddle-horse, as used in his native 

 counties, would think it rather strange to go 

 courting on horseback, and arrive at one's des- 

 tination hot and mussed up. But these easily 

 gaited horses do not muss one up any more than 

 a hansom cab does. This easiness of gait reminds 

 me of another use for which they are invaluable. 



