392 AGRICULTURE AND THE HORSE. 



ever." We have had some notable instances of this 

 near home. 



We are always told that we should not breed a large 

 stallion upon small mares. I do not think this is a 

 universal law. I have seen many large stallions, whose 

 stock, even in a country abounding in small mares, was 

 excellent ; but these were horses whose muscular struc- 

 ture preponderated largely over their bony, — large 

 horses with quick and nimble action. Horses whose 

 bony development is greater than their muscular, 

 horses with thin muscles and great bones, would not 

 be likely to improve the stock of a region, especially 

 if the mares were small. A thoroughly good horse 

 with a good ancestry, whether large or small, would 

 present great temptations to me. I should be willing 

 to let him prove himself 



If either side is to be slow, let it be the mare. It 

 is by the male that a race is to be improved. And 

 always expect to get more good females than males; 

 for this is the very general result in breeding all 

 animals. 



When a colt is born into a family, especially if his 

 lot is cast in pleasant places and he has a goodly heri- 

 tage, the foremost danger is that he will be spoiled in 

 early life. It really seems as if almost all owners of 

 horses endeavored to ascertain how, in the most expe- 

 ditious manner, to ruin them. The natural tendency of 

 a horse, young or old, is to preserve himself in a sound 

 and healthy condition. The wear and tear of a life of 



