BREEDING. 151 



or eighty in the same period. Therefore it is that, to prevent 

 the country being over-run with unsound, and for this reason 

 comparatively worthless animals, a law should be passed (to 

 protect the public, as well as breeders), prohibiting any but 

 licensed stallions being used for procreation ; such licence to be 

 renewed annually, on veterinary certificate that they are free 

 from hereditary disease. 



In the matter of size, some persons, with the view to pro- 

 duce increased height in the foal, recommend the stallion being 

 larger than the mare, while others advocate the contrary. No 

 rule, it would seem, can be laid down for this, as circumstances 

 of which we know as yet but little operate in this direction. 

 Reynolds says that three of the best cart geldings he ever saw 

 all exceeding 16 J hands high were bred from a little Welsh 

 mare barely 1 5 J hands in height ; and he truthfully remarks 

 that, as a rule, it will be found that a well-proportioned stallion, 

 of commanding size, begets from low, wide mares, a better 

 class of foals than when the relative proportions are reversed. 



As before noted, the qualities desired in the progeny should 

 be possessed by the parents, but if they are present only in 

 one, then that should be the one which will most probably 

 transmit them. 



With regard to the age of the parents, it may be remarked 

 that, while they can produce both when young and old, yet the 

 best time is when they have arrived at mature age, or are fully 

 developed and in the zenith of their vigour. Immature, or old 

 animals, as well as those which have undergone severe toil and 

 privation, often beget weakly stock. The stallion has more 

 durability for procreation than the mare, some commencing at 

 two years old and continuing until advanced age ; instances are 

 known of stallions being prolific for thirty years, and twenty 

 years is not at all uncommon. But young stallions have to be 

 carefully limited in their vocation, as excessive use checks their 

 development and injures their hind legs ; while the stimulating 



