68 



IlEPORT ON HORSES. 



The Committee on Horses respectfully report that the exhibition 

 and performance of the horses at the Society's Fair this autumn, 

 formed one of its most interesting and attractive features. 



In a County abounding in pastures, as the County of Norfolk 

 does, it is remarkable that so little attention is given to the breed- 

 ing of horses. There is ahvays a good demand for, and a good 

 horse "will command a reasonable, and often an unreasonable, 

 price. We have fine horses in the County, but comparatively 

 few are raised in it. We are by no means disposed to encourage 

 mere speed ; there are other qualities that make the animal more 

 valuable for the ordinary purposes of business. A good horse is 

 not one that will merely go in 2.40 or three minutes, but one that 

 Avill safely and cheerfully perform his ordinary work or journey in 

 fair time, and, perhaps, having latent qualities, will be capable, 

 upon emergency, of exhibiting endurance and any reasonable 

 speed when more than ordinary is required. All who can afford 

 to keep a horse would prefer to have a good one, — one that will 

 not fret himself or driver, and yet, with all the multitude raised 

 in other States for the general market, we are not perfectly cer- 

 tain of finding what we want. Such is the general business of a 

 New Englander, that the division of labor established in England, 

 where there is a distinct class of horse for every distinct occupa- 

 tion, will never probably obtain here. What is commonly wanted 

 in this region, is a compact horse of about a thousand pounds 

 weight, with not a superfluous hair about him. We see no reason 

 why the number raised in this locality might not be greatly in- 

 creased, and, with due care, the quality much improved. Taking 

 into consideration all the chances and risks attending the rearing 

 of colts, we do not wish to convey the impression that a profitable 

 return will always be made to the breeder ; but we conceive that 

 those who are fond of the horse, and have opportunity, might be 

 willing to run some moderate risk in the attempt to raise a satis- 

 factory animal. 



The great difficulty in producing what is desirable, lies in the 

 uncertainty of the animal from which you undertake to breed. 

 To obtain a good product, you must have a good sire and a good 

 dam. Without these, all your care and labor will, probably, be 

 in vain. It is, therefore, proper to know, not only the antece- 

 dents of the animals from Avhich you intend breeding, but to know 

 as much as possible of the antecedents of their ancestors. Quali- 

 ties, mental and phj'sical, good and bad, and even habits, we have 

 reason to know, are transmissible from generation to generation. 

 It is not policy to breed from any dam that has physical defect. 

 The famous English horse, Eclipse, had a natural mark of a dark 



