III AGRICULTURAL HORSES 39 
mare is necessarily the one that will breed the 
biggest foals. A stout, stiff, little mare, got by a 
horse known for getting the right sort, will probably 
breed stouter and bigger horses than a long-legged 
coarse one. Let him be sure that she is not afraid 
of hard work, that she is generous and cheerful in 
her collar, and when he is ready to buy, let him not 
lose the right sort by fighting over a pound or two 
in the price. It will be a satisfaction to the pur- 
chaser if he knows that the mare has bred a foal 
before he buys her, though most mares breed if 
properly attended to. The purchase of the mare is 
not all that is requisite; the wise selection of the 
sire, the treatment of the foal, and the rearing of the 
colt have to be considered carefully as time goes on, 
on which subjects there is a good deal to be said. 
If the buyer is in no great hurry, he may seize an 
opportunity, as it offers, of buying a good foal or a 
young filly; he may thus buy cheaper, though he 
loses time. Such opportunities are often to be met 
with at farm sales in spring, and I have seen good 
filly foals sold for an old song on such occasions ; 
but before buying such, full inquiry had better be 
made of those who have known the sire and the dam, 
as to their character for soundness and willing work. 
Generally speaking, the sire is the more impressive of 
the two parents ; he will determine in the main the 
bone, the tendons, the nerves, and will the more 
certainly transmit the infirmities, especially of the 
bone, limbs, and feet. The dam, whilst having 
considerable influence on these parts, and often 
giving her colour to the foal, may be said to be more 
impressive than the sire in general appearance and 
