96 Breeding. 



hereditary ; but in all cases it should be viewed with 

 suspicion as great as that due to roaring. Simple cataract 

 without inflammation undoubtedly runs in families ; and 

 when a horse or mare has both eyes suffering from this 

 disease, without any other derangement of the eye, I 

 should eschew it carefully. When blindness is the result 

 of violent inflammation brought on by bad management, 

 or by influenza, or any other similar cause, the eye itself 

 is more or less disorganized ; and though this itself is 

 objectionable, as showing a weakness of the organ, it is 

 not so bad as the regular cataract. Such are the chief 

 absolute defects, or deviations, from health in the mare ; 

 to which may be added a general delicacy of constitution, 

 which can only be guessed from the amount of flesh 

 which she carries while sucking or on poor " keep," or 

 from her appearance on examination by an experienced 

 hand, using his eyes as well. The firm full muscle, the 

 bright and lively eye, the healthy-looking coat at all 

 seasons, rough though it may be "in the winter, proclaim 

 the hardiness of constitution which is wanted, but which 

 often coexists with infirm legs and feet. Indeed, some- 

 times the very best-topped animals have the worst legs 

 and feet, chiefly owing to the extra weight they and their 

 ancestors also have had to carry. Crib-biting is some- 

 times a habit acquired from idleness, as also is wind- 

 sucking ; but if not caused by indigestion, it often leads 

 to it, and is very commonly caught by the offspring. It 

 is true that it may be prevented by a strap ; but it is not 

 a desirable accomplishment in the mare, though of less 

 importance than those to which I have already alluded, if 

 , not accompanied by absolute loss of health, as indicated 

 by emaciation or the state of the skin. 



Lastly, the temper is of the utmost importance, by 

 which must be understood not that gentleness at grass 

 which may lead the breeder's family to pet the mare, but 

 such a temper as will serve for the purposes of her rider, 

 and will answer to the stimulus of the voice, whip, or spur. 

 A craven or a rogue is not to be thought of as the 

 " mother of a family ;" and if a mare belongs to a breed 

 which is remarkable for refusing to answer the call of the 



