number the British War Office took close to 14,000 head, the Canadian Department 

 of Militia, approximately, 26,000, while the contractors for the French Government 

 purchased over 7,000 horses. The French contractors who are now buying in the 

 country have still large contracts and are willing to buy every suitable horse that 

 Canada has to offer. One firm writes saying that their contracts call for 10,000 a 

 month while war lasts. 



The prices paid for war horses may seem to be low after the exceedingly high prices 

 that prevailed for a number of years. It should be remembered, however, that the class 

 of horse taken is one that, generally speaking, the country can well afford to do without, 

 and, further, that, all things considered, the average price paid is an exceedingly good one 

 for the average class of horse taken. 



Allied Countries — At the outbreak of the war practically all suitable horses 

 were commandeered by the British and French for army service. It is true that they 

 saved their best stallions, but, generally speaking, they were forced to send forward 

 large numbers of their good breeding mares. It will be necessary, therefore, at the close 

 of the war for those countries to import horses until they can re-establish breeding opera- 

 tions. 



The horse industry of Belgium has been practically wiped out. A few of their 

 good breeding animals were driven into France, but the Germans seized all the good 

 horses and sold them by auction in Germany. This means that when peace is restored, 

 the horse industry in that country will have to be completely re-organized. 



Future Demand — The good crop of the past year has enabled the Canadian 

 farmers to go out and buy a part of the horse-power so badly needed, and, accordingly a 

 good number of horses have gone into needy districts, with more to follow. Carload 

 lots are being shipped quite commonly. Already the number of horses from east to 

 west far exceeds the total number shipped during 1915. The increase in immigration, 

 which is expected to follow the war and must of necessity go to the land, will create a still 

 further market. 



What to Breed — The only safe advice that can be given to the farmer is to 

 start now to breed good draught horses, sound, of good conformation, and as large as 

 possible. These will undoubtedly be wanted in numbers both at home and abroad. 



The only light horse that bids fair to be wanted is the good, big roadster; a square 

 trotter of good conformation and sound, weighing from 1050 pounds upwards. How- 

 ever, the demand for this class of horse will not in any way compare with the demand 

 for draughters. Nevertheless, there should be a steady market for good animals such 

 as has been described. 



Commercial Breeding — During the past the attention of the farmer has been 

 directed almost exclusively to the sire. True, nothing but pure-breds of good confor- 

 mation and quality should be used. The time has arrived, however, when, in the 

 best interests of the industry and in order to achieve the greatest success in breeding, 

 particular attention should be given to the breeding mare. The best should be carefully 

 preserved for breeding purposes. The good results from the use of high class stallions 

 will be greatly minimized if the mares are poor specimens. Mares that are worn out, 

 unsound, faulty in conformation or affected with any hereditary unsoundness should 

 not be used for breeding purposes. Further, better feeding, care and management 

 should be practised in raising the colt. A high percentage fail to develop normally 

 through lack of proper care and sufficient nourishment. Horses are made or marred by 

 the usage they receive when coming to maturity. Careful mating coupled with good 

 feeding and management will result in the production of a high percentage of marketable 

 horses. 



96 



