CHAPTER VIII. 

 BREEDING, FOALING, AND FOAL-REARING. 



THE breeding of horses is a matter that would require much 

 more space for its consideration than can be devoted to it here, 

 and it is one, moreover, which may be discussed from many 

 points of view. Suffice it to say, that to breed good horses 

 profitably requires patience, capital, and an amount of special 

 skill and discrimination, which not many of those who attempt 

 it possess. If it is an interesting occupation, it is nevertheless 

 one in which very few succeed in gaining profit or renown ; 

 while as a science, still fewer can master its details. In the 

 following remarks nothing novel is attempted in this direction, 

 but only what experience has proved, so far, to be worthy of 

 note by those who are about to venture on horse production. 



The breeder of horses should know the kind of animal he 

 is desirous of producing racer, hunter, harness or riding- 

 horse, hack, draught-horse, pony, or whatever else in that way 

 circumstances or his fancy may lead or compel him to try for. 

 Whether it is to be pure blood, half-bred, or cross, is another 

 point which he should have decided before he commences 

 operations ; as it is surmised that whether he breeds for pastime 

 or profit, improvement of the stock he breeds will be one of the 

 objects he has in view. In the solution of these questions 

 will be found the selection he makes of the parents ; and the 

 judiciousness, or otherwise, of his selection will in time be 

 evidenced in the progeny, 



It has been recognised that the progeny inherit invariably 



