and nervous system, power of endurance mucli more highly de- 

 veloped. The best type of Thoroughbred implies that the animal is 

 possessed of superior qualities of every description and his power 

 of transmitting these qualities to his offspring surpasses that of any 

 other breed of horses. All these qualities combined with an excel- 

 lent Turf record, good pedigree, great weight, and size — 151/^-16 

 hands, would point out the sire required; but this ideal type is, 

 even in England, a not too common one and they are often sold at 

 prices beyond the dreams of averice; still a King's premium horse 

 will come as near to this tj'^pe as possible and would cost at least 

 £1000 to £2000 and since this is beyond the reach of the average 

 farmer and can be supplied by the Government only to a limited 

 extent, the Committee had to turn its attention to other breeds. Of 

 the lighter pure-breds that came into consideration were the Cleve- 

 lands and Hackneys. 



In the meantime the farmers showed the tendency of going to 

 the opposite extreme, by introducing big cart-horse half-breds to 

 their light % bred Thoroughbred maress ; the offspring was as could 

 be expected unsymmetrical brutes, wanting in almost all the qual- 

 ities that are essential in a good riding or carriage horse. 



The sire that was ultimately decided upon as the best first 

 instalment was the Hackney; because he will tend to Increase the 

 size, bone, and substance of the breeding stock. The offspring, 

 when mated with a first class Thoroughbred, will produce an ex- 

 cellent type of horse ; for if the right kind of Thoroughbred can 

 be obtained and paid for, he would be found equal in size and sub- 

 stance to a great many of the best Hackneys and above all in such 

 qualities as temperament, endurance and stamnia he stands pre- 

 eminent. 



On the recommendation of this Committee the Government sent 

 an experienced and responsible buyer to buy the desired type of 

 Hackney. In 1888 eight very good Hackneys and one Norfolk 

 Roadster were imported and placed at the several stud farms. The 

 average price was £272 and the farmers made very good use of them. 

 On the average each stallion covered 33 mares. Altogether the 

 Government imported up to this date and since 1860 some 30 stal- 

 lions, mostly Hackneys, and each year they served an increasing 

 number of mares. 



At the same time there was a strong taste for Clevelands and 



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