518 A HISTORY OF THE PEBCHEBON HORSE 



hereditary, any faulty conformation tliat is fre- 

 quently found in the breed, such as a droopy rump, 

 crooked hocks, and the like. I prefer not to have 

 an off-colored horse, not that the color mal?es the 

 horse, but it indicates the possibility of the presence 

 of some other blood than that of the breed and to 

 that extent makes uncertain the type of colts which 

 the stallion will sire. 



"I do not believe that one can afford to work a 

 high-class stallion; the risk is too great. He should 

 have a large boxstall opening into a paddock con- 

 taining about an acre, and the door should be kept 

 open day and night so that the stallion can go in 

 and out at will. The fence must be secure, but at 

 the same time constructed so that the horse can see 

 through and ascertain what is going on. If possible, 

 I like to have a knoll in the paddock, from which 

 the horse can get a good look over a large part of 

 the farm. He should be made happy and contented. 

 The stallion should be kept in the stall a month 

 before the breeding season begins, fed more heavily 

 and given plenty of exercise, so that when the season 

 begins he will weigh about 150 pounds less than 

 in show condition and be hard. I use only oats, 

 bran and timothy hay for my stallions. Other feeds 

 may be as good, and they may be better, but I know 

 from experience that these are both good and safe. 



"I believe that the size desired in the colt should 

 be mainly derived from the mare. Therefore, I like 

 a large, open, roomy mare, but she must be feminine. 

 While I do not want a long back, at the same time 

 I prefer it to a short, pony-built mare. She, like 

 the stallion, must be sound and have good true 

 action. Mares while pregnant can and should be 

 worked when it is possible for the owner or his sons 

 to handle them or when a reliable man is to be 



