SECTION VI.-BREEDING 



THE STUD 



There is nothing more satisfying to a breeder of horses than to breed a 

 good one. To win a race over a course, or a prize in a show-ring, affords a 

 certain amount of pleasure, and maybe some profit. While allowing that 

 to bring a horse into a condition to accomplish either of these feats entails 

 a certain amount of intelligence and skill, it falls far short of yielding that 

 substantial and abiding gratification which is afforded by having overcome 

 the far more difficult task of producing the animal by which the one or the 

 other is accomplished. 



To breed a winner of a classic race or a champion of the first class is 

 unquestionably the end to be aimed at. That success in these respects 

 seldom comes, even to the most patient and painstaking, should be rather 

 an encouragement than a deterrent, for the more difficult the task the 

 greater the honour. 



We could point to many men who, with control of large studs, have- 

 spent a lifetime in honest endeavour to realize these higher ambitions 

 without attaining success; but they have done the next best thing, they 

 have produced stock of a high standard of excellence which has brought 

 a remunerative average; and, after all, that is what the general breeder 

 desires and what the country requires a grading up as near to the 

 highest attainable point as can be reached. 



In breeding operations a certain percentage of the produce of the stud! 

 are sure to fall below mediocrity in conformation and character, and others, 

 for various reasons, will fail to prove remunerative. To guard against these 

 adverse influences is the great problem which the breeder should strive to 

 solve, and upon which his highest success will depend. 



A plentiful supply of common horse stock is assured to this country by 

 our colonies and the Continent; and if it is to hold its position as a centre 

 to which all nations will continue to look for the best and most impressive 

 specimens of the several varieties, those principles of breeding which ex- 

 perience has dictated must be more rigidly followed. 



VOL. Ill 205 79 



