114 A TREATISE ON HORSE-BREEDING. 



farm, where he has ever since been. But he was put under 

 very bad management kept in his stall, with very little ex- 

 ercise, sometimes for months not stepping 1 out of his stall, 

 not even to be watered, loaded with fat and of course he be- 

 came a very uncertain foal-getter. He came into my charge 

 late in the spring of 1873 in this condition. That season he 

 only got seven colts, three of which died from premature 

 birth. After the season was over, not believing in that way 

 of treating a stock horse, I put him into the team, worked 

 him steadily, fed sparingly, got his flesh off from him, brought 

 him to the next season in spare flesh, hard as a plow-horse, 

 required his groom to give him at least twelve miles of good 

 active motion a day, and he produced that season a very fair 

 proportion of colts. I have continued to handle him in the 

 same way, and he is now about to close his season, having 

 booked a hundred mares, very few of which have been re- 

 turned to him. His flesh is as hard as that of a plow-horse; 

 indeed, he is a"ble, if I chose to put him to it, to go into the 

 plow, and, to all appearances, do the best day's work of his 

 life. 



CONTROLLING THE STALLION WHEN IN USE. 



Although the temper and disposition of the 

 stallion are largely matters of inheritance, yet 

 much depends upon the breaking and manage- 

 ment. It is easier to spoil a horse than it is to 

 cure him of bad habits after they are once 

 formed If there is any manifestation of a dis- 

 position to be "headstrong" and unruly he 

 should never be led out except by a bridle that 

 will enable the groom to exercise the most per- 

 fect control over him. The one that I have 

 found most effectual is made by taking an 

 ordinary "snaffle" bit, with rings of moderate 

 size, and with the head-piece made in the usual 



