•CHANCE HORSES' 195 



almost any other private breeder in producing win- 

 ners. And he has accomplished this fortunate result 

 with a stud that never exceeded more than seven 

 or eight mares. Always choose stallions that are 

 descended from the best " classic " winners. Chance 

 horses, however good in themselves — horses, for 

 example, like Robert the Devil and Bendigo, and 

 others that might easily be named — do not as a rule 

 transmit their own speedy and staying qualities. 

 There are exceptions, of course, but the rule is 

 as I have stated. With regard to the foals, I 

 would observe that generally speaking they cannot 

 be allowed too much liberty. The more they gallop 

 and romp about the better. Another point may be 

 mentioned. I have observed at various stud farms 

 which I have visited the use of moss-litter instead 

 of straw. In my opinion this is a serious mistake. 

 The moss-litter, it is true, is cheaper than straw, but 

 its use is likely to make it very costly indeed in the 

 end. Moss, employed as litter, has a tendency to 

 set up a spongy condition of the animals' feet, which 

 get clogged up, and are consequently kept in a moist 

 condition that is anything but conducive to their 

 future soundness. 



' While entirely opposed to the fattening process 

 for yearlings so strongly denounced by William 

 Day in his book " The Race-horse in Training" — 

 and, for that matter, to any sort of pampering or 

 coddling — I would give the youngster the best of 

 crushed corn, with occasional mashes and carrots, 

 In sufficient quantities to keep him in a healthv 



