226 REVIEW — REPORT OF THE FARMING OF CORNWALL. 
not prove dangerous. The most formidable diseases are diarrhoea, 
dysentery, constipation, and red-water, which are too frequently 
occasioned by injudicious feeding, and the want of proper care and 
treatment. 
HORSES. 
“ There is no subject connected with Cornish farming in which 
greater neglect is exhibited than in the breeding and rearing of 
horses. Our stock is generally bad, which is partly attributable to 
the mares, partly to the stallions, and partly to the method of 
rearing. The brood mares are not of a very superior description, 
many of them shewing the bone and muscle in the wrong places — 
too much in their heads and necks, and too little in their limbs; but 
a great many are strong, active animals, varying from 14 to 15 
hands high. These do not cross well with the thorough-bred 
stallions*, the produce being a weedy, trashy race, too light for the 
general purposes of riding or driving. The majority of the stal- 
lions that have been introduced have been unfortunately either 
broken down by premature labour, or, having exercised their vo- 
cations, and been condemned as breeding stallions in other places, 
have been sent into Cornwall by way of a finish. A corres- 
pondent!, who has bred from some twenty-five mares of good 
figure and size with the blood-horses, says, ‘ that he is correct in 
stating that not one colt in the whole lot turned out well.’ The 
farmers, seeing the effect of breeding in this manner, have for 
several years encouraged half-bred stallions of size and power, 
and, in cases where they have possessed sufficient action , the 
produce have answered extremely well; for, where they have 
not succeeded as gig or saddle-horses, they generally make strong 
and useful labour ones on the farms. But where, from want of 
proper selection, the males have been wanting in that necessary 
quality (action), and more particularly when this is absent also 
on the dam’s side, — which is frequently the case, — the produce 
proves of very inferior character indeed. Our soils being generally 
light, our horses also are of a light description. The greatest part 
of the heavy draught breed are supplied from North and South 
Wales, and Shrewsbury ; their prices varying from £15 to £25 
* “ Some years since, with a view of introducing a stallion for the purpose 
of improving the breed of saddle horses in Cornwall, I consulted with 
Mr. Youatt on the subject, and he recommended an Arab stallion. With 
many of our mares, such as those possessing heavy heads and necks, and 
thick, upright shoulders, the cross would do a deal of good, and could not 
possibly do any hatm. The principal object is to obtain a compact frame and 
vigour, and we possess these qualifications in an eminent degree in the Arab ; 
after which, if size and power were required, the female progeny might be 
crossed with an active ‘ Cleveland bay.’ 
| Mr. Trethewy, of Trewitheu, Probus. 
