52 HINTS TO HORSEilEX; OR, 



some feeling or circumstance, produce a foal the 

 counterpart of the sire, that sire being handsome 

 would add greatly to the value of the produce. 



I am quite aware that many stallions, not hand- 

 some in themselves, have been sires of stock that, 

 as hunters, have produced general high prices, when 

 brought out for sale. Blacklock was one of these, 

 and *'a Blacklock head" was a term patent at the 

 time among the purchasers of young horses ; but it 

 must be borne in mind that it was only after his 

 stock had proved themselves, as stout and good as 

 they were, that such prices were obtained : probably 

 his first few progeny were sold as harness horses, 

 where a coarse head is not so objectionable as in a 

 riding horse. But the success of one or a few sires 

 with objections about them as regards appearance, 

 says little in a general way in favour of such horses ; 

 for be it remembered, that had they or their progeny 

 been free from the family imperfections, both would 

 have been worth more money. Dealers buy by 

 appearances, in purchasing young horses, and they 

 show judgment in so doing ; for they ar-e aware that 



