60 THE HORSE 



On the other hand, reliance on pedigree alone may 

 work disastrous results if followed blindly. Individual 

 merit should accompany a pedigree. When, as some- 

 times happens, a pedigree is simply a record of degen- 

 erates, it only helps to mislead. The eye of the breeder 

 that is quick to detect every improvement or note the 

 least tendency to retrogression is the chief thing to be 

 relied upon when breeding any kind of domestic 

 animals for improvement. 



