BREEDING OF HORSES. 203 



horses he wants, either for himself or the market, the next 

 thing is to select a suitable dam. And here I would say that 

 not one in five of such as are called good horses are fit to breed 

 from. Hereditary diseases and even vicious habits, either nat- 

 ural or acquired, are almost certain to be transmitted to the 

 foal. The dam should be of good size, with strong, healthy 

 constitution and a mild disposition, which, by the way, is an im- 

 portant point, and one which can easily be ascertained by those 

 familiar with horses. If the eye is full and intelligent, the fore- 

 head broad, the head long and slim, with delicate, higli-pointed 

 ears, you have a kind, intelligent and active horse. On the 

 other hand, if he is thick-joled, with eyes small and deeply set, 

 head short and clumsy, with narrow forehead, and heavy, thick 

 ears, you have a dull, stupid horse. Add to this a full, round 

 face, and you have a vicious-tempered animal, as likely to go 

 back as forward, or kick and run away when the opportunity 

 presents itself. The dam should be the largest, and with her, 

 ease of movement is considered of greater importance than 

 smoothness of build. 



The stallion, from whatever breed he is chosen, should be of 

 pure blood, with great muscular power ; not too large, but of 

 perfect symmetry, without blemish or fault. With such parents, 

 the breeder need not fear inferior progeny. 



If the mother is not wanted, the best place is in the pasture 

 for the first four or five months after foaling. The colt should 

 then be weaned and given an allowance of milk for a fevr days 

 or weeks, according to convenience ; then good hay, with a 

 quart of oats daily, for the winter, with exercise in the open air 

 in pleasant weather. Grain should not be fed too freely while 

 the colt is growing, but give him plenty of good hay. Never 

 let him get poor ; it takes a long time to get back. 



"When the colt is young, it should be handled and led with a 

 halter, but never harnessed until it is three years old. I know 

 this is not in accordance with the views of many, but my opin- 

 ion is that many colts are spoiled by being used too young. 

 And here I would say that I strongly disapprove of the practice 

 of trotting colts on our tracks before they come to maturity. I 

 have known many a fine colt spoiled by testing his speed beyond 

 his powers of endurance. Our agricultural societies should 



