192 THE PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING 



%\dtliin the province of, and should be vigorously prosecuted by, 

 the licensing officials. 



The Community System of Breeding. — There are many 

 advantages in the breeders of a community getting together and 

 working to a common end within the same breed. Such a system 

 makes possible the use of a stallion which no individual member 

 of the comnmnity could o^vn. It promotes cooperation and 

 mutual helpfulness, which in time revert to the benefit of all 

 concerned in the way of a district reputation for horses of what- 

 ever type produced. Buyers are thus attracted where they could 

 not be induced to come to see but a few widely scattered horses 

 or colts, in the hands of jealous owners who were not disposed 

 to reveal the whereabouts of other possibilities in case their own 

 failed to meet the buyers' requirements. Individual advantages 

 are subordinate to the interests of the community, the general 

 policy being to insure the buyers finding the horses sought, each 

 owner helping his neighbor to make a sale, in case he himself 

 has nothing to suit. Once satisfied, the buyers are most likely 

 to return when those who Avere unable to sell the first time may 

 have their inning. 



A^^len different types and breeds are represented in a com- 

 munity, partisan sentiment is almost certain to prevail. Each 

 breeder cannot accomplish alone what might be possible by the 

 combined effort of all, and their offerings in any one line are not 

 sufficient to attract the best buyers. 



The Breeding Stud. — A horse breeding establishment is 

 spoken of either as a stud or stud farm, the breeding sire as the 

 stud horse (Fig. 121). 



The equipment of a stud farm should consist of comfortable 

 and hvgienic quarters, productive pastures, preferably underlaid 

 with limestone and provided with ample shade and running 

 water, safe fences, and competent help. 



QuaHers. — Breeding stock does not do well in close confine- 

 ment, but dry, light, roomy, loose boxes or sheds, well bedded, 

 should be provided, to which the hoi*sos may have ready access 

 voluntarily, if not regularly stabled. For stallions, box stalls 

 opening into paddocks, the doors fastened back, are best; mares 

 are better cared for in the same way if practicable, although they 



