129 
ON BREEDING HORSES, & C. 
in some cause of unsoundness that has not been discovered by the 
breeder until offered for sale, and which has, perhaps, existed from 
an early period of his life. 
A breeder should be careful to look to any defect of this kind 
in mares, and particularly to watch their produce, to see if any 
like cause exist in them ; otherwise, he may, at a ruinous expense, 
stock himself with a defective stud of young horses, and this to be 
discovered to his cost not until he comes to sell them. I need not 
enforce the especial necessity of paying attention to the stallion se- 
lected. If a farmer be not judge enough himself in these matters, 
let him not grudge a fee to some competent veterinary surgeon ; it 
will be money well laid out. By many, action is not noticed suf- 
ficiently in the selection of horses for breeding purposes. Since 
“ like is apt to beget like,” I would never put a mare to a bad 
goer. The difference in the value of a common horse is equal to 
50 per cent ; but one of first quality, in other respects, enormous. 
Picture yourself on the look-out for a first-rate horse, either as 
charger, for the park, or harness. Walking through a fair, the 
very animal presents himself, coming into the town for sale. You 
get the refusal of him ; price turns within your own estimate : he 
is fed, dressed, and pulled out for your inspection. After an 
anxious hour has passed, mark your disappointment at discovering 
he is a bad goer. You feel you would not buy him. Then, whose 
disappointment is greatest] Yours, or the breeder’s, who has 
never turned his attention to this part of his favourite’s qualities, 
until, as in the case of unsoundness, he is reminded of it by the 
otherwise would-be purchaser] On the other hand, a dealer, 
knowing the nag you require, and believing, from your knowledge 
and love of action, he has what will tempt you, asks you to allow 
him to shew you one in the stable. You reply, on seeing him, 
“ It is useless ; he is not quite good enough*” Still, from the desire 
of the dealer, you consent to have him out, more to satisfy him than 
yourself, when, to your astonishment, from his action, you cannot 
leave him. The price ] Half as much again as you valued him at. 
Still, you must and will have him. Why should not the farmer 
be in this position ] He cannot insure a good goer, it is true ; 
but he should adopt every means possible to attain one, and if he 
prove not, then sell him young, for some inferior purpose. I would, 
recommend the same, likewise, in case of existing unsoundness, 
since a serious per centage will have to be taken from the amount 
sold for as “ sound,” should he be certified to the contrary, when 
he comes to be overhauled by the veterinary surgeon, a scrutiny 
from which few escape when about to leave the dealer’s hands. 
Many a young horse intended for harness might, under these cir- 
cumstances, be put into the team at two or three years old, and thus 
