526 A HISTORY OP THE PERCHERON HORSE 



or badly placed hind legs. In order to suit me a 

 stallion must have some quality and must be a true 

 mover. If he has a powerful forearm and shoulder, 

 he is almost sure to transmit these qualities to his 

 offspring and to beget colts of large size. For a sire 

 do not buy too small a horse, and do not buy one 

 that is lacking in substance or that does not stand 

 well on his legs, feet and pasterns. 



"The matured stallion when in use during the 

 breeding season should have plenty of exercise and 

 good feed. He should, if possible, be kept gaining 

 in weight during the season. I find that the best 

 way to take care of such a horse is to give him a 

 yard to run in, with plenty of oats, bran and good 

 hay. I do not believe that he needs artificial feeds 

 or stimulants. It keeps him more tractable and 

 surer if he has plenty of exercise, or even work 

 when not in stud service. The stallion which one 

 purchases for stud purposes of course should be 

 sound. 



"Brood mares should be selected with due refer- 

 ence to size and soundness. They should be of fem- 

 inine type and of the largest size to be found, short 

 in the back but long below, and of good substance. 

 Lightness of bone is apt to reappear in the colts. 

 It does not hurt the mares any, in fact it does them 

 good, if they are worked, except for a short time 

 preceding foaling. They should not be kept in too 

 high condition. Our own mares are kept at work 

 except when they are producing foals, but after 

 they have their foals they are kept on first-class 

 pasture and fed some grain. The foals have access 

 to grain and are accustomed to eat before they are 

 weaned, so that at weaning time they lose very lit- 

 tle in condition. 



"For proper development it is necessary that the 



