THE DAM. 143 



other subject within the scope of human recollection. 

 It will do Avell for the tyro to bear it in mind, lest he 

 pay too high for both horse and pedigree. 



Touching the frame of the brood-mare, I need give 

 no instruction beyond what is contained in the first 

 ninety-five pages of this work, wherein I describe the 

 structure of the perfect horse. Let her be in every 

 respect good as the best, — that is, as near perfection as 

 you can find, or your purse command, — and you will not 

 go amiss in your selection. But one thing should be 

 mentioned, because, concerning it, men differ, and, as I 

 think, some err. I refer to the size of the brood-mare. 

 Many say that the breeder should select a large mare j 

 and perhaps, as a general thing, where you wish to 

 breed colts of greater size than the parents, it is better 

 to have the mare larger than the horse. On this plan 

 you escape risk in the act of foaling ; for small mares 

 bred to large stallions are sometimes unable to deliver 

 the foal without great effort, and sometimes not at all. 

 To avoid this risk, it is wise to have the dam larger than 

 the sire when you wish to breed up in size ; but, be- 

 yond this, I think the size immaterial. " A large, roomy 

 mare " is a favorite phrase with many breeders ; but 

 I could never see what mere bulk had to do with 

 value, unless you are breeding for the cart. Quantity 

 does not dictate quality. The children of large-sized 

 parents are no more gifted than those whose father 

 and mother weigh less. The amount of flesh does not 

 decide the character of spiritual essences, and of those 



