stallion which is represented at our shows that there is a lack of 

 definiteness in the minds of those that have imported them. ' "* 



Turning to sources relating to the question of selecting a sire 

 we find that the best authorities are all agreed that the right type 

 of Thoroughbred is the best sire for mating witli the best type of 

 Cape mare. There are others, however, backed by some of the best 

 breeders who think differently. Nunn holds that "if money were 

 no object and the ideal type of Thoroughbred could be obtained he 

 would use nothing else but the Thoroughbred; but as it is a con- 

 sideration he would get an animal with size, power, bone and sub- 

 stance and as much breeding as can be afforded, but would not sink 

 all other considerations on pedigree which has unfortunately too 

 often been done."-' 



Eattray in quoting Montgomery Martin in the Racing Calendar 

 of 1885, remarks that "as regards sires, the experience of the 

 breeders of the world has proved that nothing beats the Thorough- 

 bred. The Thoroughbred used in England for the begetting of 

 hunters should be used for the begetting of good remounts from 

 the Cape mare. He should be strong enough to carry sixteen stone 

 over any country and his stoutness should have been proved by the 

 usual test of his having carried heavy weights to victory over a try- 

 ing course. At this time — 1885 — we possessed several stallions 

 coming up to this standard, they were : Buxton, Elf King, Fire 

 King, Catalpa, Harkaway. They were all Thoroughbreds of great 

 weight, high pedigree and they ha\e proved their good mettle on the 

 race, course ; but their type is too seldom met with throughout the 

 land." 



On the selection of brood mares this authority remarks : There 

 are thousands of mares suited for breeding remounts from. The 

 average price is £15 — a price that will be trebled at Horncastle or 

 any other great English fair. 



Only those mares of at least three infusions of imported Thor- 

 oughbred blood in their veins should be taken. They should be 15 

 hands high, possess a large barrel, strong back, long and broad 

 quarters, muscular thighs, large boned hocks, well set back shoulder, 

 strong fore arms and plenty of boDe below the knee — 7% inches 

 girth being the minimum. Smaller mares should be mated with 



(24) Agricultural Journal of the Cape of Good Hope No. 3, Vol. XXVI, 190S. 



(25) Army Veterinary Department. J. A. Nunn. Reports on the Horse Sup- 



ply of South Africa. 



81 



