HORSES AND HOUNDS. 5 



the plough team. This proves how careful we should be in the 

 selection of brood mares, as imperfections of every kind in the 

 parents will generally, I do not say in every instance, descend 

 to the offspring. Breeding for the turf and for the hunting- 

 field are two distinct things, and good hunters maybe obtained 

 from three parts bred mares, as well as thorough-bred ; but by 

 breeding from the latter you have two strings to your bow, 

 either to sell them at two years old to go into training, if 

 likely to suit such a purpose, or to reserve them for your own 

 establishment as hunters. 



Thorough-bred horses, moreover, command a much higher 

 price in these fast days ; and the extra expense in the purchase 

 of thorough-bred mares will soon be made good by the extra 

 price to be obtained from their produce. Let no person, how- 

 ever, delude himself with the idea that he can breed animals 

 of any figure or size from the drafts which are generally made 

 from racing establishments, many of which are sold at a very 

 low price. These weeds, although ever so well bred, will never 

 answer the purpose of brood mares, for which the finest animals 

 should always be selected. A friend of mine once tried to raise 

 a thorough-bred stock in this manner; he purchased some under- 

 sized well bred draft fillies for about twenty-five pounds each, 

 and sent them to the first-rate stallion of the day, sparing no 

 expense ; paddocks and sheds were provided, and everything 

 done to ensure success. I warned him of the consequence to 

 no purpose ; in due time the produce arrived, and very prettj'" 

 things they were to look at. For two years they were pampered 

 and fed with everything they would eat, and then sent to a 

 trainer. At the end of a twelvemonth they were returned to 

 their owner as bad goods, and with a long bill to pay into the 

 bargain ; my friend was exceedingly disgusted, and gave up 

 his breeding establishment. For our purpose great speed is not 

 of such vast importance, neither is it in the power of many to 

 purchase winning mares, or even first class brood mares. Those 

 of the second class will do very well, provided they have lasting 

 qualities, and can maintain a fourth or fifth place in the race. 

 Such mares, if put to a thorough-bred speedy horse, may and 

 often do produce winners of large stakes ; in any case their 

 stock will prove highly valuable as hunters. The first con- 

 sideration with brood mares is size ; from weeds, I have already 

 observed, nothing but weeds can be expected, — by which I mean, 

 horses only suitable for hacks or to carry ladies ;— but by size 

 I must not be supposed to mean overgrown leggy animals either ; 

 a medium standard is always best; from fifteen hands and a half 

 to fifteen hands three inches is sufficient height for any brood 



