BREEDING AND MANAGEMENT. 103 



consequence of the first error is, that the infirmities of the mare 

 are perpetuated in her unfortunate offspring, and thus become 

 hereditary, to the no small disappointment of the breeder. In 

 the second case mentioned, the result is an indescribable 

 mongrel, possessing only a combination of bad qualities, without 

 a single redeeming trait. 



Now, no principle is better established in breeding than that 

 "like will produce likej'Mn other words, that the offspring will 

 inherit the general or mingled qualities of the parents. So 

 true is this, that there is scarcely a disease affecting either of 

 the parents that is not inherited by the foal, or, at least, to which 

 he does not at times show a predisposition. The consequences 

 of bad usage or hard work even will descend to the progeny. 

 Though the defects may not appear in the immediate offspring, 

 they often do in the next, or some succeeding generation. 

 Some knowledge is therefore indispensable of the parentage 

 both of the sire and the dam. 



Both parents should be selected with reference not only to 

 their individual points of excellence, but also to the relative 

 adaptation which the points of one present to the points of the 

 other. Though both may be excellent in their way, one parent 

 may have points of excellence which actually counteract or neu- 

 tralize those of the other. None but sound parents, therefore, 

 should be bred from ; accidents, however, are not to be regarded 

 as unsoundness ; but if a defect exists in a mare which is in- 

 tended for breeding, the breeder should be certain that such 

 defect is a mere accident, and not a natural malformation. 

 Both parents should also be as free from moral as from physical 

 infirmity ; from faults or vices of temper or disposition. Although 

 a defect of one parent may sometimes be counteracted by a pre- 



