50& 



THE HORSE. 



which exists of positively deciding upon every case, wliich I 

 shall enter u])on more minutely as I proceed. In contradiction 

 to the assertion of the professional, I must observe that at various 

 times I had two hunters, which were used for stud purposes 

 during the summer ; one of them continued in my possesion 

 three seasons, the other two : most assuredly they were not 

 either of them roarers. This might have been, and very prob- 

 ably was, prevented by the work they performed during the 

 hunting season ; for it is quite certain that very many stallions, 

 especially those which belong to private breeding establish- 

 ments, and are kept principally for the use of those establish- 

 ments, do not enjoy that exercise wdiich is absolutely necessary 

 for the maintenance of their health. The country stallion, 

 which travels from fair to fair, and from market to market, is 

 infinitely more favorably treated in this respect, than his more 

 highl}' distinguished brother who presides over a private and 

 choice seraglio. 



Eoaring may be divided into two classes ; that wdiich mnst be 

 pronounced, in opposition to all theory, as decidedly hereditary ; 

 and that which is produced in individuals in consequence of catar- 

 rhal disorders, strangles, influenza, or any other temporary cause 

 which establishes inflammation, and a consequent thickening in 

 the mucous membrane lining the trachea, or parts adjacent, 

 which are the seats of the disorder. Some persons are skepti- 

 cal respecting the hereditary transmission of roaring ; for which 

 little surprise can be entertained, when the difficulties which 

 enshroud numerous equivocal indications are enumerated. To 

 unravel the mystery, the primary cause must be ascertained ; 

 for it would be exceeding the limits of truth and experience to 

 say that because a horse is a roarer himself, he will transmit 

 it to his stock. Certain conformations, or rather malfoi-mations, 

 of the limbs, — such as the legs, the hocks, and the feet, — are 

 often transmitted from the parent to the oflspring ; from which 

 splints, curbs, spavins, navicular diseases, and other infirmities, 

 have their origin ; and these are admitted in the category of 

 hereditary complaints ; yet it cannot be accepted as a rule 

 without exception, that all the produce of malformed animals 

 shall inherit the imperfections of their parents. Upon the 

 principle of malformation in the parts immediately or indirectly 



