93 



catcher, of whom he was the image, even to the grey hairs. The 

 Charles XII. horse could trot fifteen miles an hour, but he was a 

 tremendous paller and most unpleasant hack. The other two were 

 about the best to stumble on a road I ever saw. 



No doubt the majority of our farmers take trouble to properly 

 mate their mares, but there are many who trust everything to good 

 luck. No matter what the mare may be, she will be sent by some of 

 them to the nearest horse Avhose service can be had at the lowest price, 

 totally regardless of whether he is suitable or not. While both one and 

 other are generally in an overworked state. 



We all know that the main principles of the physiological law apply 

 to animals of the lower order equally as they do to mankind, and that 

 sound offspring is more likely to come from robust and healthy parents 

 than from delicate ones. 



Physiology, however, has taught us more, and for many a long year has 

 •established the fact that the ^tate of the system existing in the parents 

 at the precise time of conception has a most material effect upon the 

 progeny ; and that even in the case of those naturally and habitually 

 sound, if, at that time, they suffer from disarrangement of system, or of 

 temper, the offspring will most likely be affected thereby. It is also 

 well known regarding muciparous animals, such as the dog, that the 

 first conception in the female has an influence upon those subsequent : 

 in short, that the female is likely, in all future conceptions, to "throw 

 back " to the first impregnation. The same rule applies to uniparous 

 animals, but necessarily the effect is not so frequently discerned. 

 ^ These are facts proved by science, and are therefore incontrovertible. 

 Unfortunately, they are not generally known, and those who are 

 aware of them give little heed thereto. Among ordinary horse-breeders 

 not one in a thousand ever even heard of these great principles of Nature 

 which are the very foundation of their calling. It is therefore highly 

 important they should enlighten themselves upon the subject, for unless 

 their system be based upon the observance of the principles by which 

 Nature governs procreation, success can't be relied on, nor will it ensue 

 except by mere chance and good luck. 



It is manifest, therefore, that breeders of thoroughbred horses 

 should use very great judgment and discrimination in the selection of 

 the first sire they put their mares to. Furthermore, a man should 

 satisfy himself that the mare he breeds from was not stinted in the 

 first instance to any other than a horse of desirable breed. For my 

 own part if I were in the business I would not give a £5 note for 

 a thoroughbred mare for breeding purposes that had her ^/z /'s^ foal by 

 a cart or common-bred sire. 



In racing we hear a deal about what is called in-and-out running, 

 and at times very strong comments are made. No doubt it is caused 

 occasionally by malpractice, but I am convinced a lot of it is caused 

 by disease, the result of non-observance of Nature's laws by those who 

 bred either the horse himself or some of his immediate progenitors. 



