46 I'HK HORSK. 



For my part, I could wish to see four-mile races introduced 

 in England, though without the reintroduction of heats, which T 

 cannot regard biit as an unnecessary and over severe strain on 

 the faculties of the animals, and the return to nine and ten 

 stone weights, or 126 lbs. and 140 lbs., on the back of five and 

 six-year-old horses. 



"Whatever may be the effect of the present system in Eng- 

 land, as to throwing the weight-carrying thoroughbreds, capa- 

 ble of running four-mile heats, out of the turf and into the 

 hunting stables, I am not prepared to say ; but certain I am, 

 that tlie system has not been in effect absolutely to abolish the 

 type of horse capable of that work ; far more certain than I am 

 that the system of breeding to carry extremely light weights, 

 boy's weight in fact, in the United States, has not been to pre- 

 vent the creation of a type or race of thoroughbreds, capable of 

 carrying heavy men in the field or in the road, with as much 

 distinction as they have won by their speed and undeniable 

 power of staying a distance on the turf. 



On the trotting course, as on the racing turf, the tendency of 

 the age lias been, and still continnes to be, toward speed — but 

 in our trotting, as in English fox-lninting, neither the power to 

 carry weight nor the endurance to continue at work, is neglect- 

 ed. Nor is there the slightest appearance of growing degeneracy 

 in either quality. 



On the contrary, with the increase of blood and of speed, 

 the power of endurance has advanced, both in the hunter and 

 the trotter; nor in either has the ability to carry weight dimin- 

 ished. Of course the union of the three qualities in the latter 

 animals commands the largest price ; whereas in the racer, so far 

 as he is viewed as a racer only, and not as a progenitor, speed 

 and endurance for a distance alone are regarded. Even in 

 these, however, and even under the present system, the ability 

 to carry weight must needs enhance, and does enhance, their 

 value for the stud, as increasing the probability of their proving 

 the sires of the most serviceable and costly half-breds. 



In every other dei)artinent and style of horse-breeding, I am 

 convinced that the introduction of pure blood into all the old 

 strains has done incalculable good, and that every stamp of 

 animal through the country, has advanced upon the similar 



