4A HOW TO BREED A HOESE. 



"We may deduce, then, the following summary of Gene- 

 ral Rules. 



First. There should be a mutual adaptation in form and 

 size, and indeed, in all important characteristics between 

 the sire and the dam. 



Second. If the mare be defective in any particular, do 

 not breed her to a stallion having a similar, or even an op- 

 posite fault ; but rather choose one perfect in that point. 



Third. Avoid breeding exceedingly small mares with 

 enormously large horses : distortions will generally be the 

 result. For a mare of 16 hands, select a horse of not less 

 than 15 hands ; if she be too low or small, the horse may 

 be an inch or two higher, but not of the tall or leggy 

 kind. 



Fourth. It is frequently the case that without any known 

 cause, the blood of a certain strain of horses will not 

 cross well with that of anotlier. Such instances, when as- 

 certained should be avoided. 



Fifth. If the mare is of a good strain of horses but 

 one which has degenerated in size from '' in-breeding," the 

 only remedy is to breed to the purest stallion that can be 

 found,* but of a different strain from hers, unless some ten 

 or more generations removed. 



Sixth. After breeding for several generations from 

 males and females of one strain, it will generally be found 

 beneficial to change to another entirely different. Degen- 

 eracy in size will generally result from a neglect of this 

 rule. 



