296 THE HORSE. 



with which he breeds the best, are the mares which you would 

 choose to breed a good carriage-horse from, with a good length 

 of neck, and tail coming out on a line with the back, to correct 

 the two prominent faults in tlie form of tlie breed, the short 

 neck and the steep rump." 



Tliis is doubtless true, and from the mares produced by this 

 cross, bred once to a fine thoroughbred, I have no fear tliat he 

 would obtain the stamp of carriage-horse, which he desires, 

 and from a second cross of the mares so got to thoroughbred, 

 again, tliat the result would be an improved type of the Morgan 

 horse. 



I would not hesitate, moreover, a moment to stint Morgan 

 mares to either these pure J^orman stallions, or good Canadians, 

 with a view to obtaining improved bone and size without loss 

 of spirit, by a recurrence to what I do not doubt to be one of 

 the original sources of the Morgan stock, and then to breeding 

 the mares, so improved in stature, to the best formed and most 

 compact hunter- getting thoroughbred stallions I could find. 



Morgan stallions, with all deference, I would not use at all — 

 at all events only for covering large, roomy, cold-blooded mares, 

 for which purpose they would be identical, as to the object, 

 though far inferior in degree, with the thoroughbred horse. 



Mr. Harris's well-written and intelligent letter speaks for 

 itself, and with it I shall close this portion of njy work. I had 

 intended to add some account of the cavalry horse of the United 

 States, but, on reference to headquarters, I find that there is no 

 such distinctive animal — that there is no regular standard of 

 blood, size, or form required, and no organized regulations, 

 either for purchasing or examining the animals — the whole sys- 

 tem of the cavalry service — that arm having been confined al- 

 most entirely to the frontiers — being in embryo, and, as I am 

 given to understand, at this moment in progress of reconstruc- 

 tion and organization de novo, after the best experiences, under 

 a competent board of officers. 



" Moorcsto-wn, April 6, 1850. 



" My dear Sir — Your kind favor of the last of March, has 

 been duly received. I regret that, in consequence of the de- 

 cease of a near relative, it has been out of my power to prepare 

 my answer as soon as you desired. 



