47 



method of breeding in a nutshell when he writes that 

 " we want a class of horses bred under a system 

 which holds the balance even between speed, stout- 

 ness and structural power." As proving that the 

 balance can be struck, he points to the uniformity of 

 peed and stoutness which distinguishes a good pack 

 of foxhounds. None are markedly faster than the 

 others ; the aim is to get the hounds as even in all 

 respects as possible, and there are numerous packs 

 which prove to us that this aim can be achieved with 

 wonderful completeness. It goes without saying, 

 however, that it is infinitely easier to build up a level 

 pack of hounds than it would be to develop a given 

 number of horses all of which shall be alike ! 



It is exceedingly interesting to find that sixty-four 

 years ago this author, with the improvement of 

 horses in view, should advocate adoption of the step 

 which has been urged in the chapter (p. 36 and seq.) 

 on " Breeding Small Horses." He is in favour of a 

 National Establishment or breeding stud, but that 

 is a detail ; he explains that his only reason for 

 making it a Government department is to secure 

 that continuity of policy which is otherwise unattain- 

 able. The nucleus of his scheme is to " obtain from 

 the East a considerable number of well selected 

 ponies. The better portion would be found to 

 possess much natural speed, stoutness under severe 

 exertion, with limbs and feet peculiarly adapted for 

 moving rapidly on a hard surface." The persons 

 commissioned to buy these ponies 



"Would search in vain for these properties which 

 are acquired under a system of continued selection. 

 Looking only for natural qualities, they should 

 select animals as nearly in a state of nature as 

 they could find them ; having good symmetry, 

 a full amount of muscle and whatever natural 

 speed the best animals of the best race are found 

 to possess." 

 He would have these horses tested for speed when 



