84 
Relative Profits to the Farmer from 
maintaining and improving fancy and thoroughbred horses. 
When the enterprise of individuals, beyond as well as within 
the ranks of the practical tenant-farmer, has done so much for 
Shorthorns, is it not reasonable to conclude that, if public 
attention were fairly directed to the question, like results would 
be achieved in the equine department? In fact, relatively 
speaking, noblemen and gentlemen, as a rule, are more directly 
interested in the latter class of animal than the former. 
On the subject of farm-, dray-, or draught-horse breeding and 
rearing there is not so much unanimity among the reporters as 
in the case of carriage- and riding-horses. Still there is not 
great diversity of opinion. All admit — no practical man could 
deny — that agricultural horses employed on the farm of their 
birth, or on which they were reared, are more healthy, hardy, 
and durable, and altogether give infinitely greater satisfaction 
than those brought in after they are full grown. There is sub- 
stantial agreement of opinion also, it may be seen, that horse- 
breeding, even at present high prices, could not be profitably 
substituted to a large extent for cattle or sheep rearing. None 
of the gentlemen to whom application was made know of any 
farmer w ho has turned almost exclusively to horse-breeding from 
the production of either beef or mutton, but many state that 
they know of farmers giving up horse-breeding in favour of 
cattle and sheep, and the change has been attended by profitable 
results. Though, as a rule, horses are not the most popular or 
best paying kind of stock, it is the opinion of the majority of the 
gentlemen reporting, and of many more, that every farmer, as 
far as possible, should breed on his own holding the horses 
necessary for the work of the farm. Under very favourable cir- 
cumstances, and so long as prices continue nearly at their present 
pitch, it is shown that some farmers may breed with satisfactory 
results many more agricultural horses than they require. 
When a great deal of horse-labour was first accomplished by 
steam-power — when the railway superseded the time-honoured 
stage-coach and displaced many of the country " carriers" — it was 
supposed that horses would get very low in price. They did 
tall off for a time, but only to rise higher than ever. Breeding 
was partially given up, but latterly it has been resumed. For 
six or seven years back not a little horse-breeding has been 
carried on, but still the demand is ahead of the supply. Many 
people regard this as wonderful, considering that the agency of 
steam in various forms now accomplishes so much that formerly 
devolved on horse-power. The explanation of the matter is 
chiefly to be found in the increasing wealth and prosperity of 
the country. TIk; grow th of trade affords employment for more 
horses as well as men ; and it is noticeable tliat in many cases as 
