96 Management and Feeding of Heavy Horses 



proper plan is to select a horse strong in those points. The pro- 

 geny may then inherit the horse's good points, or at least the 

 weak points of the mare may be modified. By no means should 

 a mare showing any pronounced defect be put to a horse exhibiting 

 the same weakness, as the progeny is almost certain to inherit the 

 same defect, and perhaps in an aggravated form. 



The remarks previously made respecting the outward appear- 

 ance and soundness of mares hold good with equal force in the 

 selection of a sire. It is contended by some that a horse intended 

 for stock should stand at least 17 hands high. That is by no 

 means essential, as many of the best Clydesdale and Shire stallions 

 do not reach that height. There are more important points than 

 the mere height. 



The bone below the knee should be large and strong, and 

 measure at least 11^ in. in circumference (Laurence Drew's Prince 

 of Wales, the best Clydesdale stallion of the last century, measured 

 considerably over ii^ in.). The cannon bone should be short from 

 knee to fetlock; a long-legged horse with small bone is unfit to be 

 used in the stud. The chest should be wide, affording ample room 

 for the action of heart and lungs. The forearm and thigh should 

 be well covered with muscle. It has been averred that the progeny 

 is likely to inherit the outward framework of the sire, including 

 legs, feet, and action, and is more likely to inherit constitution, 

 temper, and character from the dam. If that theory is correct, 

 it is doubly necessary to use a sire with large limbs and feet, and 

 with good action. 



Some of our best Shires have been the progeny of compara- 

 tively small mares, but mares of style, quality, and constitution 

 mated with sires of weight, bone, and muscle. Purity of breeding, 

 soundness, robustness of constitution, strength of conformation, and 

 activity, are leading characteristics essential in a sire. It is most 

 essential that he pass a thorough examination by the veterinary 

 surgeon. Many of our heavy horses have had to be condemned 

 for roaring. Some of the very best have been afflicted with this 

 ailment, so that it is not to be wondered at that it shows itself 

 still in their descendants. A horse so afflicted should not be used 

 in the stud. The groom may have a plausible tale to tell about 

 some dusty hay he had to eat when ill with the influenza, and that 

 his stock will never inherit it, but unfortunately many of his pro- 

 geny have the influenza and the dusty hay, and are roarers. It is 

 a disease that must be exterminated at all costs. 



The Board of Agriculture have recently instituted a scheme 

 with the object of eliminating the unsound sire. The scheme, 



