ON BREEDING. 125 



nature, that vre need not pay much attention to them ; 

 but many others are so serious in then* consequences 

 that we should never overlook them. Broken wind, 

 ringbone, cui'b, spavin, scrofulous disease of the joints, 

 affections of the windpipe, and several diseases of the 

 eye, are so important and so decidedly hereditary, that 

 they should unquestionably be avoided, except under 

 some very special circumstances. 



The temper demands special attention. A fractious, 

 fretful, flighty, dogged, or vicious disposition, is so 

 vexatious, that it becomes a gTcat drawback on the 

 value and usefulness of the animal. All this depends 

 on the state of the brain, and consequently is heredi- 

 tary. In many cases it is easy to teU the sii-e or dam 

 by the temper of the offspring. I have verified this 

 observation in an immense number of instances. A 

 fair combination of gentleness with courage is an in- 

 valuable quality ; it makes amends for many other im- 

 perfections. 



Xo consideration should induce any man to breed 

 from a soft-constitutioned or weedy animal. There 

 should always be fii'mness of texture, with plenty of 

 substance and size, to suit the purpose for which the 

 horse may be designed. The points which constitute 

 the most useful parts must always be well developed. 

 It is much better to have them a little in excess than 

 deficient. Eadical defects of all kinds are invariably 

 to be avoided. 



