150 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



To improve a breed, " crossing " is often resorted to most 

 beneficially ; an alliance of different breeds or races giving 

 origin to a stock which, if judgment has been exercised in 

 assorting the parents, may combine more or less of the good 

 qualities of the two families. It more frequently happens, 

 however, that the progeny inherits qualities superior to one 

 side and inferior to the other. So that the breeder has to 

 decide beforehand what qualifications he desires to obtain, and 

 what effect the mixture of races is likely to have on the 

 produce. 



The influence of the sire or the dam on the progeny is also 

 to be taken into consideration. This, it has been noted, varies 

 with the age, constitution, and breed of the individuals ; and 

 though it is asserted that the sire transmits conformation of 

 fore-hand and limbs, as well as strength, energy, and capacity 

 for work, while the mare gives height, size of the body, and 

 shape of the hind-quarters, yet this is far from being the rule, 

 and it has been observed that the more highly-bred one parent 

 is, as compared with the other, the produce will generally take 

 after the well-bred one no matter whether this be the sire or 

 dam. 



It has also been remarked that the offspring of equally 

 well-bred parents will more closely resemble the parent nearest 

 in age to the prime of life, and possessing the most vigorous 

 constitution ; so that, if no particular influencing conditions 

 come into play, the progeny will, if a colt, be like the stallion, 

 and if a filly the mare. 



Nevertheless, the influence of the sire is so important, that 

 the greatest regard should be paid to him by the breeder, and 

 especially in obtaining any special type, conformation, colour, 

 or aptitude. More particularly, also, is this necessary in the 

 matter of soundness. The force of this caution will be 

 apparent, when it is remembered that a mare will produce only 

 one foal in a year, while the s+allion may be the sire of seventy 



