THE BREEDING OF HORSES 211 



the same reason a prospective race horse should be given no 

 occasion to believe that he is anything but invincible. Thus by 

 exaggerating our equine servant's notion of those of his powers 

 which are most useful to us, and at the same time deceiving him 

 as to those attributes which, if realized, might impair his use- 

 fulness, we promote his serviceability. 



It is not necessary here to discuss the various systems of 

 breaking, nor the art of driving. The idea is simply to impress 

 upon the breeder the importance of properly handling the colts 

 and fillies which he has bred. At all events, give them a liberal 

 education and begin early. Then, when the buyer comes along, 

 the colt so handled is more likely to sell well for three reasons : 

 ( 1 ) Tie is worth more ; ( 2 ) the owner has a better opportunity to 

 show the colt off to his own advantage, presenting him with the 

 best foot forward, as it were; and (3) the buyer has a much 

 better chance to observe the real merit that he possesses. 



STEBILITY 



Sterility is the cause of considerable loss to horse breeders 

 annually. Since actual test in the stud is the only means of de- 

 termining its existence, large prices may be paid for breeding 

 animals which prove utterly useless for that purpose. Some 

 knowledge of the causes of sterility may enable the breeder to 

 guard against the purchase of barren animals, to prevent it in 

 his breeding stock, or to regain the breeding power of animals in 

 which it is temporarily impaired. 



Sterility may be either permanent or temporary, and involves 

 both sexes. Permanent sterility is usually congenital, the result 

 of an incomplete or abnormal development of the generative 

 organs. Temporary sterility is caused by injuries or disease 

 affecting the genital system, or such general constitutional con- 

 ditions as may result from a change of environment, either ex- 

 treme obesity or general debility, and excessive use in the stud. 



Sterility in the stallion may consist either of an inability or 

 an indisposition to serve a mare ; or that operation may be accom- 

 plished but with no resulting impregnation on account of the 



