4 THE HORSE. 



price ; they thus get a living beast, probably inherit- 

 ing all the combined imperfections of both parents, put 

 him to plough at two, ride him at three, and at four, 

 provided he will carry you on his back (for mouth or 

 action is, of course, not attended to), he is sold as a 

 ' loickly thing.' " 



The system of crossing which has been adopted since 

 the introduction of thorough-bred stallions into country 

 districts, appears to me to be a further cause of the 

 degeneration of our general stock. Let his shape and 

 qualities be good, bad, or indifferent, the one which 

 possesses a sprinkling of blood is sure to be the animal 

 which will be selected as a sire. His light action, 

 showy appearance, and high-sounding pedigi'ee, will be 

 a sufficient recommendation to those who are ignorant 

 of the various points and qualities which are connected 

 vi\i\\ the strength, substance, dm*ability, and disposition 

 of the animal. Besides, the same horse is certain of 

 being put to a great number of mares of all sorts, 

 shapes, and sizes, without the slightest regard to that 

 exact adaptation of f onn, in sire and dam, which is abso- 

 lutely necessary in order to secure a satisfactory result. 

 Breeding from blood-stallions is highly commendable, 

 provided it is done with judgment and discretion ; but 

 the practice of violent crossing is decidedly objection- 

 able, and cannot be too strongly condemned. "Extremes 

 in crossing," says a writer in the 5th volume of the New 

 Sporting Magazine, " are very rarely successful; and it is 



