46 author's predilection for small horses 



ever be bred from which is otherwise than perfect!)- 

 sound in every respect. 



I have been often questioned as to my preference 

 for small horses for a bank country, and I have replied, 

 * A penny is larger than a sovereign,' meaning thereby 

 that I have proved the existence of good qualities far 

 more frequently to be found in small horses than in 

 larger ones. 



As I have before remarked, the difficulty is to 

 procure suitable mares nowadays ; and if it is desired 

 to breed a weight-carrier, the mare must be from three- 

 quarters to seven-eighths bred. Such mares wIU throw 

 the style of foal required, able to carry weight and 

 compact, far more certainly than the best thorough- 

 bred mare ; and this latter is a fact so well known to 

 experienced breeders that it is useless dwelling farther 

 upon the subject here. 



If bone and substance are required we must breed 

 from it ; If size, then roomy mares must be employed ; 

 and if quality, we can correct the failing by judicious 

 mating with a thoroughbred horse possessing the 

 perfections which the mare may be deficient in, and 

 vice versa. 



Mr. F. G. Collins, formerly of the i6th Lancers, 

 and principal veterinary surgeon, may be reckoned to 

 be our leading veterinary surgeon, and he has evidenced 

 his skill In having performed operations which have 

 evoked the admiration and astonishment of some of 

 the best judges we have on such matters. The 

 following Incident may prove interesting. A horse 

 which belonged to a friend of mine was lame, and had 

 bfcien tinkered and doctored by several veterinary 

 surgeons, but all to no purpose. They were evidently 



