HORSES. 113 



. HORSES. 



W0RCE6TER WEST. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



In addition to the award of premiums I propose to give to 

 the society my ideas of the breeds and classes of horses most 

 deserving attention and encouragement in Massachusetts, and 

 what is the best mode of rearing them. In doing -this I do not 

 expect to meet the views of the members of this society or of 

 other societies that are engaged in raising to any great extent, 

 as all have their favorite breeds ; neither do I expect to give 

 you a particular description or history of all.the valuable breeds 

 of horses in New England, — there is no animal on which there 

 is more difference of opinion than on the horse. The Morgan 

 horse has been reared with success in Vermont, and to some 

 extent in Massachusetts, and is a hardy animal. His constitution 

 is well adapted to our climate. 



The Morgan combines all that seems necessary to make a good 

 horse, being of medium size and powerful action, — a good 

 feeder, — possessing docility of disposition, and maturing at an 

 early age. I frequently hear an objection made against the 

 Morgans that they lack in size ; that objection is easily obviated 

 by crossing ; but when you have done that you do not have the 

 Morgan horse. Then comes the question : do we get, by cross- 

 ing, as good a horse as we do in the full-blood Morgan ? "JIVhat 

 we gain in size do we not lose in symmetry, compactness, ease 

 of motion, and vigor ? I think not, if crossed with the right 

 breeds, although I think a larger horse than the medium size 

 of the race of the animal is attended with a loss of power and 

 action, and should not be permitted, except for special purposes, 

 and with pure or full bloods. 



The Messenger horses have been reared quite extensively in 

 Maine, and with great profit to many of the down-east farmers. 

 The Messenger horse is much larger in size, — more rangy, but 

 does not mature as young as the Morgan ; but when matured 

 they are capable of great endurance, and are usually of good 

 disposition. I have known many Morgans and Messengers that 

 were fast trotters. 



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