TROTTING FAMILIES. 57 
horses, are distinguished more through their sons than 
through their daughters. Now Mambrino Patchen 
and Pilot Jr. excelled in nervous energy which they 
derived from the thoroughbreds in their ancestry ; 
whereas Hambletonian excelled in gait and structure, 
and was deficient in nervous energy. Hence it would 
seem to be true that the outward form is derived 
chiefly from the sire, and the inward energy from the 
dam, inasmuch as Hambletonian’s sons, inheriting 
his superior structure and gait, surpass his daughters ; 
and Mambrino Patchen’s daughters, inheriting his 
superior nervous system, surpass his sons. However, 
these general rules are subject to many exceptions. 
But there is one principle in relation to trotting 
horses which is, I think, admitted on all sides. The 
single quality that the “record breakers” have in 
common is nervous energy, — that mental or physical 
trait, or that relation between the mind and the body, 
which enables or compels the muscular system to 
accomplish the utmost of which it is capable. A 
good shape, good lung power, good action, —these of 
course are indispensable. and they are found in many 
a trotting-bred horse; but the motive power which 
lies back of the mechanism ultimately determines 
the animal’s speed for a mile, if not for a quarter; 
and it is chiefly in this power that the record-breakers 
excel their contemporaries. 
Now, if, as we may safely assume, it is nervous 
energy and courage that make a horse trot superla- 
tively fast, and if, as may reasonably be conjectured, 
these qualities are derived chiefly from the maternal 
side, then we shall believe that the dam and grandam 
in a pedigree are of more consequence than the sire 
