GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 29 



and in order to insure the greatest possible safety in choosing 

 from among the so reduced number, the intending purchaser 

 will do well to pay particular attention to the following 

 points : — 



1. With young mares, to be careful that habitually they be 



neither too gross nor too poor ; either extreme is inim- 

 ical to a healthy progeny. 



2. If dam and granddam have bred other winners, it will 



greatly enhance the value of the mare under inspec- 

 tion ; the more superior, and especially sound, race- 

 horses amongst her immediate relations the better. Is 

 she, on the contrary, of a great number of brothers and 

 sisters the only good performer, her acquisition will by 

 no means be so desirable as at first sight her individual 

 excellence seemed to warrant. 



3. The peculiarities or weaknesses with regard to temper, 



organs of respiration and digestion, feet, bad habits, 

 such as wind-sucking or crib-biting, nerves, etc., should 

 be taken into account ; likewise the strong or weak 

 points which characterize the respective families must 

 not be overlooked. 



4. Before buying mares which have already bred foals, one 



should be satisfied as to the state of the sheath. From 

 outward signs of rupture or a blubbering noise in trot 

 or canter, may be inferred rupture or extension in its in- 

 ternal parts. I cannot too energetically caution against 

 the purchase of such a mare ; she would be too dear at 

 any price. 



5. An examination of the udder should not be omitted, its 



development, and whether on both sides equally prac- 

 ticable. The state of nurture of the last foal will show 

 what nourishment it received from its dam ; in whole- 

 some mother's milk frequently lies the decision of the 

 whole question whether a foal will grow into a race- 

 horse or become a miserable weakling. Insignificant 

 foals frequently develop with incredible rapidity at 



