MESSEITGER DTJROC. 229 



together and into any other channels with a facility not known to the 

 more fickle Bellfounder. The force of the Bellfounder blood in his 

 case is quite like that in the Hambletonians of the Star cross — not in 

 any way impaired as respects the trotting quality, however it may be 

 as to other bearings of that blood force. 



It will be seen further along that, in his produce he does not assert 

 the Bellfounder preference for color that distinguished his sire and 

 the Hambletonian family generally. 



In the matter of size, he is above the true roadster model. 



He is too large, unless the quality of horseflesh was advanced 

 at the same rate that his physical proportions were increased. A 

 horse 15 hands 3 inches is as large as any one needs, if we consult the 

 statistics of the great performers. Some wish a horse not less than 

 16 hands; but, for trotting or road purposes, I will say that I do not 

 want to go beyond that height, and prefer to stop one inch short of it. 

 In addition, I have generally observed that, as we increase the size 

 above that figure, we detract from the quality instead of adding to it, 

 as is required if we retain merit in the large horse in proportion to 

 his size. I would rather breed from mares that were large, and from 

 a compact, densely-built stallion a little under the size that I desired 

 to reach, than to select a stallion that was above the size that I 

 desired to reproduce in the horse to be bred. An over-sized stallion 

 is always objectionable, unless the aim is to breed horses of large 

 size, and having no reference to the quality or the purpose for which 

 the animal is to be used. 



It is true there is a popular demand for large horses, and that owing 

 to close in-breeding and other causes, there is a dwarfing tendency in 

 the growth of horses in some parts of our country that must be met. 

 Hence, a large and rangy horse is in great degree popular. Never- 

 theless, for the great performer or the reproducer, give me the compact, 

 closely built horse of not above the size of fifteen and three-quarter 

 hands, and not above 1,150 lbs. in weight. It will be observed, how- 

 ever, that Messenger Duroc is not as heavy a horse as his proportions 

 would indicate. 



The following pedigree has been given by the owner of Messenger 

 Duroc, and often vouched for as strictly authentic: 



Messenger Duroc — b. s., 16 hands, white hiad ankles, foaled June 3, 1805, 

 got by Hambletonian. 

 First dam, Satinet, foaled 1854, by Roe's Abdallah Chief. 

 Second dam, Catbird, foaled 1834, by Whistle Jacket. 



