36 THE HOKSE AND ITS DISEASES. 



stallions with the least appearance of disease, blemish, 

 or bodily defect, indicating even the slightest probability 

 of transmission to the offspring. 



Supposing a neighbouring stallion, and such there ■ 

 generally is in every part of Ireland, to have great 

 recommendation in his favor. As to the matter of 

 common inquiry, and fashionable figure, it is still neces- 

 sary to descend to the minutiae of symmetry in the 

 head, neck, shoulder, fore-hand, ribs, back, loins, joints, 

 and pasterns, attending to a strict uniformity in the 

 shape, make, and texture of the very hoofs, and were it 

 possible, (which in almost every case it certainly is not) 

 even to ascertain the temper and disposition of both sire 

 and dam, rather than be accessory to a procreation of 

 vices, or imperfections, that by a more judicious election 

 may be so easily avoided. After all that can possibly be 

 written (and if it were probable that all could be univer- 

 sally read) upon this subject, every reader possessing the 

 power of free agency, has still the privilege to reject 

 any opinion not perfectly coincident with the plan he 

 may have adopted, and to enjoy the uncontrolled right 

 of persevering in his own decision ; but presuming on the 

 task I have undertaken, I strongly recommend a proper 

 examination to discover the state of the wind, spavins, 

 curbs, tendency to cracks or grease, bad confirmation of 

 the feet, as corns, thrush, or long and narrow-heeled 

 hoofs, either of which would furnish sufficient foundation 

 to prejudice me against him as a sire, however well I 

 might be pleased with his other most promising perfec- 

 tions. The necessary qualifications for both sire and 

 dam having been fully investigated, and the blemishes, 

 defects, and local contingencies, that tend to forbid the 

 attempt fairly explained. "We come now to the crisis of 

 delivery, or tlie mare's bringing forth, an event so 

 wonderfully accomplished by the unerring efforts of 

 nature, that upon the fairest calculation, not one mare 

 in a hundred suffers in any respect (more than the 

 temporary disquietude) from an exertion of so much 



