210 BREEDING MADE PROFITABLE. 



do make money by breeding, it is briefly answered in 

 very few words. They are men who make a trade of it, 

 and I will endeavour to give some little idea how they 

 do make it pay. They are usually persons holding large 

 tracts of land at a low rent. Instead of paying five 

 guineas for putting their mares to the horse, they 

 keep a sire or two of their own. These horses, be- 

 sides serving their own mares, are let out, and are a 

 source of considerable profit. The persons they 

 employ in the care of their mares and colts are en- 

 gaged at half the cost of those employed by the 

 gentleman breeder; and, what is of still more im- 

 portance, in every way, the master is constantly 

 in attendance on them himself. No waste is per- 

 mitted here ; no accidents from the carelessness or 

 inattention of servants : everything is well done, but 

 done with the strictest economy. At three years old, 

 his colts begin to earn their living by tilling or work- 

 ing in some way on the ground that produces not 

 only provender for themselves, but also for sale. 

 They never do a hard day's work, or sufficient work 

 to fatigue them ; but doing what is only moderate 

 and healthful exercise, they earn what they eat. Even 

 the mares, for a certain period in each year, do light 

 work, which helps to keep them. By such manage- 

 ment, economy, and saving of expense, the same colt 

 that at five years old would have cost the private 

 gentleman breeder 123/., does not cost the trader 

 more than half. Thus it is clear gentlemen will save 

 nothing by breeding, instead of, as I have advised, 

 going to the dealer. 



Frequent complaints are made of the enormous 

 prices our first-rate dealers demand for their horses. 



