The River Plate Studs. - 143 



herds, being left in peaceful possession of the plains, multiplied in the course of time to such an 

 extent that they now form an essential part of the national wealth of the Argentine Republic. 



The number of horses pasturing on the plains of the Argentine Republic at the present 

 day has been roughly computed at two and a half millions, not including the east coast of the 

 river Uruguay, which probably contains an additional half-million. The annual nett increase 

 may be set down as 300,000, the residue finding their way to the slaughter-houses (saladeros), 

 or perishing in the long droughts from want of pasture and water. 



The provinces of Buenos Ayres, Entre Rios, Santa Fd, Corrientes, and Cordova, are the 

 chief horse producers; the remaining provinces, indeed, are insignificant contributors towards 

 the grand total. 



The breed is undersized, averaging about 14. 1 or 14.2 hands, and are of every conceivable 

 colour. Piebalds and skewbalds, when curiously marked, were much sought after some twenty- 

 five years ago, and brought more than average prices. A very beautiful colour, now, unfortu- 

 nately, almost extinct, is the "plateado" — a white horse with black skin, magnificent prominent 

 black eye, and bluish-black muzzle. There are also some beautiful shades of dun, with black 

 stripe along the back and across the shoulders, and black bands on the legs. Horses of this 

 colour are supposed by the natives to be descended indirectly from the donkey, probably on 

 account of the black cross on the back. An exception as to size is to be found in the southern 

 districts of Buenos Ayres, notably in the Moutes Gra;ides (Great Thickets), where horses of 15 hands 

 and 1 5 hands 2 inches are frequently to be met with. The difference in size is owing to the rich- 

 ness and abundance of the herbage, also to the shelter which the woods afford from the heats 

 of summer and the cold of winter. On account of their size they command far above average 

 prices in the city of Buenos Ayres, as hacks and carriage horses ; but for work on a cattle 

 farm, or for a long journey, they are quite inferior to their smaller brethren. Plenty of large, 

 roomy mares might be selected from these districts for crossing with imported sires, and would 

 give what is at present the great desideratum — size. 



The breed of horses in the Argentine and Oriental republics is extremely hardy and en- 

 during, and exempt from nearly every ailment that afflicts horseflesh. Hence I consider the 

 breed as constituting a good foundation for the building up of a superior class of horses ; 

 and, to my hiind, there is no doubt but that the liberal introduction of thoroughbreds from 

 England and elsewhere, combined with a judicious selection of mares, will in a short time so 

 improve the existing breed, that exportation from those countries will become an extensive 

 branch of business. 



During the last thirty years many attempts have been made in the right direction by the 

 introduction of European sires, and with the best results, as far as the production of useful, 

 shapely, and good-sized horses is concerned. 



As far as I can learn, the first thoroughbred sire introduced into the province of Buenos 

 Ayres since the conquest was in the year 1850,* and in the following year a second was sent 

 out from this country. f Since then numbers of European stallions have been introduced ; and, 

 notably during the past year, scarcely a steamer leaves for the River Plate without having on 

 board one or more thoroughbreds, or heavy cart-stalliuns.| The latter, however, is totally unfit 



* Bonnie Dundee, by Bay Middeton, imported by Mr. Samuel Rensliaw Phibbs. 



+ Elclio, by Harkaway, taken out from tliis country by Mr. James Siiarples. 



t During tlie past eight montlis I mysell have sent out five thoroughbreds — viz , Lifeguard by Lancer, Climber by Wesfwick, 

 Sir Joseph by Sir Gainet by Forlunio, Rupert the Brave by Rupert, Bernac by Fitz-Gladiator, also two cart and one roadster 

 stallions. 



