OF FARRIERY. 



327 



CHAPTER IV. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE HORSE.— SUPPOSED DEGENERACY OF THE 

 RACING BREED OF THIS COUNTRY, ETC 



We cannot but call our readers' attention 

 to the highly important consideration of the 

 deterioration of our racing blood. The sub- 

 ject has for some time occupied the serious 

 contemplation of the sporting world ; some 

 supposing it may arise from the fashion of the 

 present mode of breeding for length of stride, 

 .ind for short races, which may be easily 

 altered by our present stock, without proceed- 

 ing to the necessity of employing fresh blood 

 to invigorate it ; while there are others who 

 insist that nothing less than a national estab- 

 lishment will prevent our Horses (once so 

 celebrated,) from becoming sorry jades 



The English Horse is so identified with 

 the glory of the country, that we could not 

 look upon any one as possessing patriotic feel- 

 inffa, who could witness without a sigh the 

 degeneracy of our Horses ; and there is no 

 tax which we would pay with the same plea- 

 sure, as to prevent it, if it were necessary. 



There is at the present moment one circum- 

 stance, however, which places us in a novel 

 situation in respect to the Horse, which time 

 only can develope. We allude to the effect 

 tliat rail-roads may have upon the breed of 

 Horses in this country. It is a w^ell-known 

 fact, that many spirited coach-proprietors 

 have given almost hunters' prices for their 



cattle, and that there was a regular demanJ 

 for Horses of any size for the use of coaches ; 

 this traffic having in a considerable degree 

 ceased, it will become a matter for considera- 

 tion whether there will be any stimulant for 

 breeding, sufficient to carry it on with profit 

 and spirit, or will it be abandoned, and treated 

 with indifference ? 



In the event of such a calamity, we confess 

 we should hail a national, or any other estab- 

 lishment which might have the effect of pre- 

 serving to us our present breed of Horses.' 

 We will not say the time may not come, 

 when the Legislature may be called upon to 

 devise some plan to prevent the degeneracy of 

 our Horses, if needed, because we feel con- 

 vinced that that, or any other measure would 

 be resorted to, to prevent what would be con- 

 sidered, a national misfortune and disgrace. 



We observe there are two opinions upon 

 this subject ; but fearing there may be soma 

 truth in the degeneracy of the racing blood, 

 although not, we hope, to the extent enter- 

 tained by the projector of the National Es- 

 tablishment ; yet it is important that the truth 

 should be enquired into, that if true, remedies 

 may be adopted for the cure. 



If we admit for the sake of argument, that 

 our Horses of the present day are neitfier so 



