542 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOCPED1A. 



breeds of horses, and then by a reform in the method of raising 

 colts. From the starving plan we must advance to that of lib- 

 eral feeding of the young. Of this we shall have more to say 

 under the care of colts. 



Breeding for Docility. The farmer's horse should above 

 all be of a docile temperament. He must be patient under a 

 load, plucky enough to keep courage under hardships, and spir- 

 ited enough to save the need of constant urging, and intelligent; 

 to adapt himself readily to the great variety of uses to which 

 he must be put, in the furrow, at the wagon, and on the road. 

 It is evident, then, the farm-horse must be docile, .with all his 

 other qualities. All of these will be the more valuable as he 

 may have a higher degree of docility. Even the roadster, the 

 gentleman's, or family driving horse, or the trotter on the track, 

 has greatly increased value by reason of a level head or a 

 docile disposition. 



There has been too little attention paid to this trait in our 

 breeding American trotters and English race-horse and farm- 

 horses. In this respect these breeds are far behind the true 

 Arab, or the grand Percheron. While we have outstripped them 

 in the race, we have neglected caring for the temper. We need 

 a reform in this. 



Some of the most noted trotters have been vicious and obsti- 

 nate. A firm will and resolute heart are essential for the horse 

 that must meet and overcome his antagonist, and there is but a 

 step between resoluteness and obstinacy. The colt may be 

 heady and self-willed, yet by kind handling in youth he may be 

 led to have no higher motive than the will of his master. This 

 can be attained only by kind handling. The temperament and 

 condition of the ancestry is an important factor, which the wise 

 breeder will not lose sight of. 



Vice Follows Vice. There is a custom of putting a fiery, 

 vicious filly to the horse to soften her down before attempting 

 to work her. There is also a custom of breeding from mares 

 that have never looked through a collar, or been broken to stand 

 hitched by a halter. The condition of these mares at the time 

 of service, when brought to the horse is that of excitement and 



