44 



BREEDIXG, 



BEEEDING. 



This very important subject is too often neglected. A common mistake 

 in breeding is often made, that mares are bred from after they become 

 useless for work, regardless of hereditary diseases which may be trans- 

 mitted to their offspring. It should be remembered that one of the charac- 

 teristic laws of life is the reproduction in kind — " like begets like." 



Both parents should be selected with reference to their individual points 

 of excellence, and also so that the points of one may be adapted to the 

 points of the other ; for, although both may be excellent individually, the 

 points which characterize one may actually counteract those of the other; 

 but, if defects exist, the breeder should be sure that it is merely accidental 

 and not natural. 



None but sound parents should be bred from ; (accidents, of course, are 

 not to be regarded as unsoundness). Both parents should be free from any 

 infirmity relative to a vicious temper or bad disposition, although 

 the points of excellence in one way sometimes counteract the bad points^ 



