64 BEPORTS. 



The discussion which lately took place in England between 

 Lord Redesdale and Admiral Rous, indicates plainly, what the 

 general opinion of the diminution in the stoutness of our 

 horses is, says, Stonehenge. Breeders should, therefore, he 

 adds, " turn their attention to this point, and be doubly care- 

 ful to avoid breedy or diseased sires and dams. It cannot be 

 denied that our modern thorough-breds have size and speed; 

 hut they do not shine in staying powers. But there are strains 

 particvilarly free from this defect. It should not be forgotten, 

 that though the thorough-bred horse will bear more work, 

 especially at high speed than any other kind, yet he can only 

 do this when well-fed and warmly housed. Being a native of 

 a warm and dry climate, he requires to be protected from the 

 weather ; and the young stock must be well-reared in all re- 

 spects, or they will never pay. If, therefore, the breeder is 

 not determined to put up warm stables, and if he is stingy of 

 his corn, he had far better let his Stud of mares be composed 

 of lower bred animals. If a thorough-bred horse and a don- 

 key are both fed upon the lowest quantity and quality of feed 

 which will keep the latter in condition, the donkey will beat its 

 high-bred antagonist over a distance of ground — that is to say, 

 supposing the experiment to be constituted long enough to pro- 

 duce a permanent effect upon the two animals. A cart-horse, 

 colt or one of any kind of low blood, will do well enough if 

 reared, till he is put to work upon grass and hay; but a 

 race horse, or hunter, of high breeding, would show a badly 

 developed frame, and be comparatively worthless for his par- 

 ticular kind of work, if he were not allowed his corn from the 

 time that he is weaned." 



This prolific subject is far from being exhausted ; but the 



