REVIEW. 
564 
Mares that have been very excellent runners themselves are 
often sought after for the purpose of breeding at enormously high 
figures, and have, in many instances, proved to be the worst 
speculations, many of them never having produced a foal worth 
training ; and although it is not necessary to enumerate them, a 
reference to the Stud Book and comparison with the Racing 
Calendar will bear out the assertion.” — pp. 36, 37. 
The reason for which appears to be impairment of constitution, 
which the experienced veterinary practitioner is likely to detect, 
if it exist, when it may pass undiscovered by the breeder. 
“ The most practicable, and generally the most profitable and 
satisfactory, course to be adopted for the establishment of a stud 
of brood mares for racing purposes, is that of purchasing good 
shaped animals, combining the most fashionable blood that can 
be obtained, and which has already been tried in the stud as 
well as on the turf. Those only should be admitted possessing 
the recommendation of sound constitutions and freedom from 
hereditary defects or blemishes, with good legs and feet, uniting 
the sources of those perfections with the symmetrical proportions 
of the body, on which is dependent the position of the legs, and 
to a great degree their quality.” — pp. 38-9. 
“ The racing success of the family to which a mare is related 
may be looked upon as a criterion worthy of attention, not only 
with reference to the parentage, but also in the brothers and 
sisters. There are numerous examples of mares shewing very 
little superiority as racers themselves that have produced ex- 
cellent stock ; but then it will be generally discovered that their 
parents have distinguished themselves either on the turf or in 
the stud.” — p. 42. 
“ The class of mares available for breeding hunters and hacks 
is not readily to be procured until they are at an advanced 
age. Persons do not like to part with those of a superior de- 
scription till they have done their work, and none but good ones 
ought to be admitted. Who would be willing to give up a 
clever hunter so long as she carried her owner safe and well]” 
— pp. 43, 44. 
“ To obtain a good* sort of mare, it is far better to give a good 
price for one at six or seven years old, than to attempt the spe- 
culation with one whose infirmities render it very problematical 
whether her produce will be worth rearing. From a good sound 
young mare you may expect to have some ten or a dozen fine 
colts, which in due time may sell for one hundred sovereigns 
each: an infirm, aged, worn-out animal, may favour you with 
foals which will not produce thirty pounds each. You have, 
therefore, a large margin for the contingent profit upon an addi- 
