136 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



stands unrivalled by any type of horse of the world, it 

 would seem to me far easier to produce the heavy harness 

 type. It is far easier to })roduce hunters than race horses, 

 and the same comparison holds good of the heavy harness 

 horse and the standard-bred race horse. Extreme speed is 

 the hardest goal to gain. 



Let us show those interested in breeding an object lesson 

 of what we Avould produce by the crossing of the diflferent 

 breeds of which I have endeavored to give a little history, 

 and I believe they would agree with me that it is far easier 

 to breed the heavy harness horse than the light harness 

 horse, and the owner's purse in the end would also be of the 

 heavier type. 



Question. In your opinion, is it advisable for a breeder 

 to practise the high action we have heard so much about? 



Mr. Smith. I don't think so. There are plenty of ways 

 by which you can readily see whether a horse has high action 

 or not ; you do not need to know whether he steps high or 

 not, you can tell by the way he carries himself. It is not 

 necessary to take them out and pound them to get this 

 action ; it conies naturally. They can be balanced to bring 

 forth a higher action, but you cannot put it there if it was 

 not there. 



Question. You say it can be done by breeding? 



Mr. Smith. Yes. 



Question. Is the horse better controlled by a check- 

 rein ? 



Mr. Smith. Fashion controls a great deal in the horse 

 world, excepting in the race track or trotting park. 



Question. Will you kindly tell us what a colt ought to 

 receive for feed ? 



Mr. Smith. The question of feeding is about the same 

 with horses as with the human race. You can get as many 

 horses spoiled by over-feeding as 3^ou can by under-feeding. 

 I purchased two or three years ago a thoroughbred, bred by 

 Mr. Haggin. He has eight hundred thoroughbred mares on 

 his Kentucky and California farms, and he has forty or fifty 

 thoroughbred stallions. His product in thorough! )reds is 



