Canadian Horses. 



59 



knee action, 15.2 to 16 hands, weighing from 1,100 to 1,400 

 pounds, are said to command a ready sale at paying prices 

 for vans and omnibuses, as do also well-formed heavy 

 draught horses, 16 to 17 hands, and weighing from 1,400 to 

 1,800 pounds, with good feet and heavy bone. High-class 

 saddle horses and large good-stepping carriage horses are,, 

 it appears, always in demand. 



The Chief Inspector concludes his report with the 

 following interesting observations : — 



" It requires but little foresight to realise that first-class 

 horses will during the next few years return to former values. 

 Heavy draught (r,6oo pounds and upward) will always bring 

 prices which will pay the breeder. Horses of 1,200 to 1,400 lbs. 

 weight with good action, fit for goods vans, and agricultural 

 horses of compact build, with good feet and action, will always 

 be in demand. High-class carriage and saddle horses pay to 

 breed, and there are yet large numbers of suitable mares in 

 the country which, if served by large, heavy-boned thorough- 

 bred stallions, would produce these classes. In selecting 

 breeding stock give attention to form, size, bone, feet, action 

 and pedigree, and this will be accomplished. 



" Too much care cannot be exercised in selecting the 

 sire. The stallion, like the bull, represents half of the herd 

 so far as improvement in blood is concerned ; cheap under- 

 bred sires should not be used on any account. Breeders 

 should remember that Mike begets like,' and * as they sow 

 so shall they reap.' Quality establishes value, and if they 

 breed from cheap sires they produce stock which they 

 should not expect to sell dear. It costs as much to feed 

 and care for an inferior animal as one of the first quality. 



" Every farming district affords samples of this ; one 

 farmer sells his stock for fifties, while his near neighbour 

 sells for tens. This is not due to luck or smartness; it is 

 the inevitable result of carefully-considered cause and e ffect. 

 Hereditary defects (and most defects of form, colour, temper, 

 and unsoundness are^hereditary) should be avoided in both sire 

 and dam. Crooked hocks, in-toed fore legs, curbs, spavins, 

 ringbones, and navicular disease should in all cases con- 

 demn either for breeding purposes. .■ , 



