55 



When the term thorough-bred is used in its strict 

 acceptation, in reference to the pedigree of a horse, 

 it means, that for five generations back, its purity 

 of blood can be deduced without uncertainty : and 

 by purity of blood is meant a lineal descent from 

 the Barb, Turk, or Arabian. The pedigree of our 

 celebrated race-horses being matter of record in the 

 stud-book, it is always sufficient to trace any 

 horse to an ancestor of acknowledged breed, such 

 as Echpse, Childers, &c., and if this can be done, 

 . on the side both of the sire and the dam, no further 

 pedigree is necessary. This brief explanation of the 

 term " thorouoh-bred" is offered to those who are 

 in the habit of breeding stock ; but T must repeat 

 that my book is not designed for the edification of 

 practical and experienced men. 



If the object is to get an animal of considerable 

 power and fair speed, and the price must be re- 

 stricted to forty or fifty guineas, I should recom- 

 mend one of the cob make, between fourteen and 

 fifteen hands. If activity and wind are more 

 coveted than strength, a horse about three-parts 

 bred, and not under fifteen hands, is more likely to 

 answer the purpose ; but if he is good for any 

 thing, the figure will be at least ten guineas 

 higher. Should an occasional day's sport be com- 



