192 PROFITABLE STOCK RAISING 



must be given good care and attention, but the heavy- 

 breeds are more rugged and able to withstand un- 

 favorable conditions better than the lighter type. As 

 a rule, therefore, the draft breed is the one for the 

 average farmer to choose. If he delights in a horse 

 of good action, of clean limbs, of good size, of 

 uniformly good disposition, he chooses the Per- 

 cheron. In some localities, particularly those 

 where foreigners predominate, the breed chosen is 

 apt to be colored by what was raised by these same 

 people in the old country. For example, Scotch- 

 men raise Clydesdales, Englishmen delight in 

 Shires. Belgians, of course, are exceeding popular, 

 being heavier than Percherons. These are admi- 

 rable animals and are being raised largely in many 

 parts of the United States. In the black soil 

 regions of the United States where mud is very 

 abundant at certain times of the year, horses with 

 legs free from hair seem to be more popular than 

 Shires or Clydesdales. It is, however, largely a 

 matter of preference and individual taste. 



After the breed is decided upon, plan to stick to 

 one line and not to constantly change. It will pay 

 in the long run, in every respect. Then the choice 

 of breeding stock comes in and this is the para- 

 mount issue. No matter what reputation a breed 

 may have, no matter how long and satisfactory the 

 pedigrees are, profitable horse breeding on the aver- 

 age American farm will be impossible if, in select- 

 ing stallions and mares, particular attention is not 

 given to individuality. If the particular animals 

 you choose are not high class, are not prepotent, 

 are not prolific, you cannot hope to make any 

 money. The first thing to do is to get rid of your 

 scrub mares. It doesn't pay to propagate inferiority 

 in horses. It is a more serious problem than with 



