146 CONFESSIONS OF A HORSE DEALER 



tie, sheep, or pigs, than to the breeding of valuable horses ; 

 because after keeping their colts to the age of two, three, 

 or four years, about twenty pounds are considered a fair 

 value for the mongrel-bred brutes. 



Of all the mistakes and errors committed by small 

 breeding farmers, there is none so prevalent or so fatal 

 as to put a worn-out, half-bred mare to a second-rate 

 stilty racing stallion, with nothing to recommend him 

 but the empty and worthless consideration of pedigree. 



I have seen fine promising-looking colts thrown by 

 old thorough -bred mares when nearly twenty years old ; 

 but this is only in the large" breeding establishments, 

 where, with rest and great care, the mare has been 

 stronger at twenty years old than at five s this is a far 

 different animal than one who has been worked till she 

 can work no longer until she is full of diseases and 

 deformities and then made use of for the reproduction of 

 her species. Like begets its like, and we need not won- 

 der when the breeders who pursue this line of policy, 

 are disappointed when the produce is sent to market, 

 and that they give up the idea of horse-breeding in 

 disgust. 



Hunters should be bred from mares in the prime of 

 life, while their functions are at their utmost vigour. 

 They should be selected for their power, speed, endu- 

 rance, and courage, perfectly free from defects, diseases, 

 or deformity ; and should be put to short-legged stallions, 

 with deep ribs, powerful quarters, strong loins and 

 shoulders, with sound well-formed feet, and smart; 



