THE SIBB. 109 



this cause. The influence of the nervous state on the 

 offspring of the human family is well understood ; and 

 not alone of the nervous state, but of the state of the 

 blood, the condition of the bones and muscles: these 

 are regarded as potential in their influence on the life 

 destined to be born. These things have not been con- 

 sidered by breeders of the horse with the close atten- 

 tion which they deserve ; but he who has observed how 

 high the organization of the horse is will see that these 

 influences must be duly regarded by one who seeks to 

 breed the perfect horse. The law is, that the state of 

 the parents is the state of the child. As the dam and 

 sire are, so will the foal be. Fevered parents beget 

 fevered children : this is the rule. Now, horses, when in 

 training for the turf, or engaged in actual contests, are 

 in a most artificial state: their nervous system, their 

 blood and stomach, are in an unnatural condition ; they 

 are strung up, excited, inflamed. How true this is 

 may be seen from the fact, that, when they have passed 

 through the grand preparation, they often get sick if 

 the race for any reason is deferred. They, as well as 

 their trainer, know that a great occasion is to come oft' 

 in which they are to figure ; and they are uneasy and 

 excited until the great feat has been done or attempted. 

 Moreover, it should be remembered that training and 

 track work take stuff" out of a horse. The animal is able 

 to do one great deed ; but this ability has been secured 

 at the expense of a great constitutional disturbance. 

 The normal, healthy course of nature has been inter- 



