116 THE HORSE 



well-bred farm -mares of suitable conformation, even 

 grade draft-mares and such general-purpose animals 

 as are found on all farms, make very excellent 

 broodmares for producing this class of animals. If, 

 on account of injury or blemishes, these thoroughbred 

 grades fail to sell for the purposes intended, still they 

 are the very best horses a farmer can have on the 

 place for light road- and for light farm -work. 



The one thing essential is to obtain the use of a 

 thoroughbred (running-horse) for a sire. He may 

 usually be secured at a moderate price from racing 

 establishments. I refer to such horses as have become 

 injured or incapacitated for track work, but arc still 

 valuable for breeding purposes. 



BREEDING HUNTERS AND SADDLE-HORSES 



Selection of Sire and Dam. On account of his inborn 

 qualifications for saddle work, the thoroughbred run- 

 ning-horse is the only animal that is worth considering 

 for a sire. Not only his low elastic action, but 

 his general conformation distinguishes him from all 

 other breeds of horses as the most suitable for horse- 

 back riding. He has more intelligence, more courage 

 and more endurance than any other breed of horses. 

 The pure thoroughbreds are of a very nervous tempera- 

 ment, and it often requires a bit of horsemanship to get 

 on with them. The half- or three-quarter-bloods, how- 

 ever, make the best all-round horse that it is possible to 

 produce for hunting, ordinary saddle work, combination 

 saddle and harness, cavalry, light artillery, or farm 



