THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
VOL. XXVIII, 
No. 331. 
JULY, 1855. 
Fourth Series, 
No. 7. 
Communications and Cases. 
A SERIES OF QUESTIONS ON THE BREEDING 
OF ANIMALS. 
By Mr. G. W. Varnell, Assistant-Professor, Royal 
Veterinary College. 
To the Editors of tf The Veterinarian 
Gentlemen, — Thinking the following questions of some 
importance, not only to the profession at large, but also in a 
national point of view, I am induced to ask a place for them 
in the pages of your valuable Journal ; soliciting through that 
medium answers from some of your numerous contributors. 
I am, yours, &c. 
London; June 7, 1855. 
1st. What amount of exercise, or work, is it usual to sub- 
mit entire horses to, either during the covering season or at 
other times? 
2d. Does work, either in excess or otherwise, diminish or 
increase the sexual desire of horses ? Does it in any way in- 
fluence the capability for getting stock ? 
3d. Does fat, especially when there is a constitutional 
disposition to its accumulation, tend to produce impotency 
in stallions or other animals ? 
4th. Does the kind of mare, as it regards her colour, con- 
dition, or breed, or any other peculiarity, influence the sexual 
desire in entire horses ? 
5th. Is the future progeny liable to be influenced by pre- 
vious imperfections in breed or constitution ? And if so, on 
which does it most depend, the sire or dam ? 
6th. Is the state of the coat permanently influenced by the 
colt being foaled late in the season ? 
XXVIII. 
48 
