CHAPTER VI 

 THE BREEDS OF HORSES 



A breed may be defined as a group or class of animals 

 possessing a number of distinctive qualities and char- 

 acteristics in common, which are so firmly fixed as to be 

 transmitted with reasonable certainty under suitable 

 environment. In America, there are six rather common 

 breeds of light horses, four of coach horses, six of draft 

 horses, five of ponies, and six of jacks. 



Establishing a breed. — A breed is usually started by 

 one, two or more superior animals which have been 

 produced in a locality by reason of better food, more 

 agreeable environment and intelligent selection. In- 

 breeding is often practiced to a greater or less extent for 

 the purpose of perpetuating and intensifying one or more 

 of the desired characteristics. As a rule, this work is 

 carried on by one, or at most a few, of the more intelli- 

 gent breeders, who, by improving conditions, have first 

 improved the quality of their own horses. This work is 

 continued until a number of animals are produced, each 

 possessing the desirable characteristics and having them 

 so strongly fixed as to be uniformly transmitted. The 

 American saddle horse furnishes a typical example. 

 Denmark, the most distinguished saddler of his time, was 

 bred to "Stevenson's mare," and produced Gaine's Den- 

 mark, Muir's Denmark and Rob Roy. These animals, 

 more especially the former, proved great breeding 

 stallions, and from them are descended many of the best 

 saddle horses. 



From time to time, one or more animals with superior 

 characteristics are selected from a breed and these are 

 closely bred for a time, producing a variety or "family." 

 The Hambletonian family of trotters, descending from 



