EFFECT OF WEIGHT. 433 



cases in which four stone might be carried by a first-class horse, 

 over and above the feather-weight placed on a very slow horse, 

 and yet the horse in high form will run away from the plater, 

 who cannot by any means get over the ground faster than the 

 rate at which he can carry a fair average weight. An examina- 

 tion of our handicap lists will show, that between their top and 

 bottom there is generally a difference of four or five stone ; and 

 though this difference is often effectual in keeping back the best 

 horses, it does not always allow the lightest weights to win, but 

 rather those which are the lightest as compared with their real 

 powers. But it is also well known that certain horses can run 

 half a mile at high speed, but no more ; others, a mile ; others 

 again, a mile and a half or two miles ; whilst another class, now 

 less common than formerly, require a distance of three or four 

 miles to develope their powers, as compared with ordinary 

 horses. These peculiarities are generally hereditary, though 

 not always so ; but still when the blood is known, it may gen- 

 erally be surmised that the individual will or will not stay a 

 distance. When the cross in question is stout on one side and 

 flashy on the other, it is not easy to guess to which the young 

 scion may lean ; but in those cases where a horse is bred. from 

 sires and dams both of stout blood, or the reverse, the experi- 

 enced hand may, in almost all cases, decide beforehand upon 

 the properties of the son or daughter, as far as staying qualities 

 are concerned. Again, there are some horses of strong compact 

 frames, with short backs and strong quarters, who may be ex- 

 pected to climb a hill without difficulty, especially if of stout 

 blood ; and, again, there are others of lathy frames, with long 

 but weak points, and a great deal of daylight under them, who 

 may win over the fiat for a mile, or a mile and a quarter, but 

 can never climb a hill, or get beyond the above distance over a 

 flat. All these points should be carefully studied by the breeder 

 in getting together his breeding stock, and by the owner in 

 deciding upon the stakes for which he shall enter his young 

 produce. 



Vol. I.— 28 



