888 VETEEINAEY HYGIENE 



Africa, and great pains have to be taken to encourage the 

 growth of horn as much as possible. 



Temperament. — We have next to consider the question of 

 temperament in its relation to breeding. Naturally, we 

 would not advocate breeding from animals of very vicious 

 temperament, but at the same time the greatest care should 

 be taken to distinguish between high courage and innate 

 viciousness, which we hold to be extremely rare in horses if 

 they are well handled in their youth. Personally, we would 

 much rather breed from a high-couraged animal which has 

 resented ill-treatment in youth than from a phlegmatic 

 animal in which no amount of ill-treatment would arouse 

 any resentment. 



Horses which are liable to show a little temper at times 

 are usually exceptionally good workers, whereas the soft- 

 hearted creature mentioned above, gives up when the 

 slightest extra strain is put on him. 



The animal to be avoided is the sulky one with an ugly 

 head and an evil eye. Such are seldom good workers and 

 can never be trusted. 



We think the question of temper is of more importance 

 in the female than the male, as in the former case the 

 factor of evil associations will be added to that of heredity. 

 Again, the temper of the sire, particularly among horses, is 

 liable to be spoilt by a nervous or ill-tempered attendant. 

 This is particularly the case among thoroughbred horses, 

 and is almost certain to occur if the animal is used to * try ' 

 mares for a more valuable stallion. 



We have known several cases in which an entire horse 

 has earned the reputation of being an absolute savage with 

 one owner, while he has proved quite the opposite when 

 transferred to more competent hands. 



Degeneration. — Closely allied to unsoundness, and 

 equally to be avoided in breeding animals, particularly 

 horses, are certain conformations of the limbs which are 

 recognised as being the result of degeneration. By de- 

 generation we mean a tendency to fall away from the 

 constructional lines which are recognised as being the 



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