CHAPTER II. 



BREEDING AND MANAGEMENT OE COLTS. 



BREEDING. 



That a proper knowledge of the laws of breeding, is 

 a matter of primary and vast importance, is a generally 

 admitted fact, and requires no argument to prove, as it 

 is only by this means we can maintain the present 

 qualities of our improved breeds, and prevent the race 

 from degenerating, and correct and improve their im- 

 perfections. And it is equally true that there are many 

 erroneous views entertained and practiced by many of 

 our Farmers. No person should attempt breeding, 

 particularly the horse, without first making it a matter 

 of investigation, patient study, and inquiry. The first 

 axiom we would lay down, says Youatt, is, that like will 

 produce like, that the progeny will inherit the general 

 or mingled qualities of the parents. There are but few 

 diseases by which either of the parents are affected 

 that the foal does not inherit or show a predisposition 

 to. Broken wind, spavins, ring-bones, founders, blind- 

 ness, roaring and the like, are transmissible, there can 

 be no question not excepting ill-usage and hard work. 



