298 BREEDING. 



The feet should be of good size, and of sufficient depth to give 

 strength to the quarters. Spongy and flat feet should be rejected. 

 The loin should be strong, the back well coupled, quarters broad 

 from point to point of hips, and running nearly straight out to the 

 root of the tail. The stifle should stand low and well out ; hocks 

 strong and broad ; no puffs or windgalls, as these indicate weak- 

 ness, x 



As a colt from such a horse may at an early age show indica- 

 tions of blood spavin and thoroughpin, look at the inside of the 

 hock for an enlargement at the point of what is called a jack spavin 

 or curb. Next, see that there is no enlargement at the edge Of the 

 hoof, known as ringbone. Weak eyes, blindness, poll-evil, fistula of 

 withers, or in fact any unsoundness, should be sufficient cause for 

 rejecting a stallion. I need not enlarge upon the fact that the mare 

 should be selected with the same care. 



The reader will be aided in the study of disposition, bodily 

 form, and the general characteristics of good and bad animals, by 

 reference to the illustrations already given, and especially those in 

 the following chapter. These will enable the mind to grasp these 

 points better than it would be possible to do by the most extended 

 verbal descriptions. '> 



The following from a leading writer on selection is so much to 

 the point that I cannot do better than to copy it : — 



To be successful in breeding, special attention should be given 

 to the particular variety of horse required. If heavy draught 

 horses, or even trotting roadsters, or ponies, are required, both the 

 sire and the dam should be selected with special reference to these 

 points. Desired effects can in a great measure be produced by 

 proper crossings. If the mare is light-boned, or defective in this or 

 in any other respect, select a horse that possesses the contrast of 

 greater strength. But to insure certainty of what is wanted, the 

 mare and horse should be as near the type of what is desired as pos- 

 sible, though not related. Disposition should be an important con- 

 sideration, as its inheritance will be as certain as that of physical 

 qualities. 



Care of the Mare. 



The mare is said to be with foal eleven months, or three hun- 

 dred days ; but it is not uncommon for mares to have fully devel- 

 oped foals in much less time, and in many instances mares have 

 been known to go four or five weeks beyond this time. Time should 

 be so arranged in putting mares, that the colts will come at a time 



