IGO PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING. 



Horses. — It does not seein necessary in this connec- 

 tion to give descriptions of the various breeds of horses, 

 as comparatively few of our animals can fairly be said 

 to be of any pure or distinct varieties. Names are 

 common enough, but the great majority of the horses 

 among us are so mixed in their descent from the breeds 

 which have been introduced at various times from 

 abroad, as to be almost as near of kin to one as to 

 another. Success in breeding will depend far more 

 upon attention to selection in regard to structure and 

 endowments than to names. Although it may be 

 somewhat beyond the scope of an attempt to treat 

 merely of the principles of breeding to offer remarks 

 regarding its practice, a few brief hints may be par- 

 doned ; and first, let far more care be taken in respect 

 of breeding mares. Let none be bred from which are 

 too old, or of feeble constitution, or the subjects of 

 hereditary disease. No greater mistake can be made 

 than to suppose that a mare fit for nothing else, is wor- 

 thy to be bred from. If fit for this, she is good for much 

 else — gentle, courageous, of good action, durable and 

 good looking ; outward form is perhaps of less import- 

 ance than in the male, but serious defect in this greatly 

 lessens her value. She should be roomy, that is the pelvis 

 should be such that she can well develop and easily 

 carry and deliver the foal. Youatt says, "it may, 



