440 AMERICAN FARMER'S HORSE BOOK. 



purchase of a first-class horse. This is a very excellonl 

 plan, deserving a much wider adoption than at present. 



In dismissing this subject, we wish to impress upon the 

 minds of all interested in it the importance of this general 

 rule : that no horse should be compelled to repeat his service 

 more than twenty times during the season, and never oftener 

 than every other day. Every farmer is doing an injury to 

 his stock and to his own pecuniary interests, when he per- 

 mits any serious departure from this regulation. The adop- 

 tion of the rule here specified would make it perfectly proper 

 to charge increased rates for the season or by insurance. It 

 would be greatly to the advantage of the farmer to pay even 

 double the rate now asked, and get a colt worth double the 

 common run. 



THE HORSE AND HIS QUALITIES. 



The qualities of the sire, of more importance than all others, 

 are his capabilities of endurance and kindliness of disposi- 

 tion. The former depend mainly upon soundness of wind, 

 compactness of muscle, and proper form. His limbs should 

 not be too long, but trim and clean, and his joints round and 

 well set. The hips are the most essential points to be looked 

 at in regard to the horse, as in them and in his hind limbs 

 lies his great power. But the shoulders must not be neg- 

 lected ; they should be broad, not high and sharp, but round 

 over the top. 



For the average farm horse of this country, about sixteen 

 hands is the most desirable height. Much above or below 

 this standard is objectionable. A horse, with full form and 

 well-developed muscle, it is preferable to have below rather 

 than above sixteen hands high. The' color of the hair is an 

 indication of some importance. A deep dark bay is the best 

 color for strength and endurance, and- generally the most 

 desirable qualities as regards disposition. The iron-gray is 

 the next, then the black, and, as the shades grow more and 

 more light, they become increasingly objectionable. What- 

 ever the color of the horse, the mane and tail should be 

 darker than the hair of the body. Beware of that horse 



