THE SADDLE BREEDS OF HORSES 119 
other hand, his supporters maintain that his speed, stamina, 
courage and nerve force may be relied on to bring one 
in safely when others fail. It is said that he does not get 
“doppy ” at his fences, but will jump, as well as gallop, 
on his courage when fatigued, and that altogether his 
performance is more in keeping with the sport than 
that of his colder-blooded contemporary. A _ logical 
conclusion seems to be that the Thoroughbred horse 
is best adapted to a Thoroughbred rider (Fig. 18). 
As stated by one authority, “‘ Thoroughbreds are horse- 
men’s horses,’”’ and one who understands their disposition 
and eccentricities is not likely to be satisfied with any 
other kind of a mount; while, for those less accomplished 
in horsemanship, and satisfied with a more moderate ride, 
the horse which has his fire cooled to some extent by a dip 
of plebeian blood is more suitable. 
132. Use for crossing. — To estimate properly the pe 
utility value of this race, it is necessary to consider, 
addition to the service which individuals of the breed na 
rendered in performance on the flat and cross country, the 
great influence of the blood in union with that of other 
stocks. Notwithstanding the fact that this horse has 
been the creation of generations of sportsmen, with speed 
performance the standard of selection, it is the potency of 
his blood when blended with common, native stocks which 
is of greatest value in the production of market horses for 
use outside the realm of sport. In all but the draft breeds 
the influence of the Thoroughbred may be demonstrated. 
In the heavy-harness division, the foundation blood lines 
of the recognized breeds are significant. The Hackney 
descends from Shales, a son of Blaze, Thoroughbred, out 
of a strong common mare of Norfolk. Thoroughbred sires 
have produced from native French mares the half-blood 
