132 THE PURCHASE OF YEARLINGS. 



for I may add that (whilst with me) not one of them was ever 

 lame from ring-bone, splint, curb, or thorough-pin. In other 

 respects, too, they were more free than most horses from 

 diseases of every kind ; I never lost one by death, or had a 

 roarer amongst the whole. 



So satisfactory a result, it will be admitted, is worthy of 

 attention ; and it may be asked, How was it brought about ? 

 The answer is, through exercise unrestrained, not forced, 

 aided by a plentiful diet of good hay and corn and soiling 

 their natural food. 



With these experiences, we may dismiss all fears of the 

 result of rough appearance in yearlings without a second 

 thought. The lesson we learn is to look well to the method 

 of their treatment since foaled, and wc shall not go far wrong 

 in our selections. That which is wanted is muscle, not fat. 

 The one implies strength, the other physical debility, burden- 

 ing their tender limbs with an unnatural weight they cannot 

 sustain, making some crooked and others weak. 



Further to account for Sir Tatton's breeding so many 

 sound horses, it may be said he scrupulously attended to the 

 shape of the ancestors, and chose only those standing well on 

 their legs. If by chance a yearling stood a little back in his 

 knees, or the least upright in his pasterns, the Baronet would 

 be the first to call your attention to the defect by saying (as 

 he always did), " He docs not stand quite pretty on his legs;" 

 and if such a one were not sold, he would give him away rather 

 than breed from him — so great was his aversion to those 

 that did not stand well. It is open to other people to breed 

 sound animals if they will only follow his most excellent 

 example, instead of breeding, as most do, from any crooked- 

 legged, deformed brutes, if only they have a brother's or sister's 

 fame to recommend them favourably to the public notice. 



