AND HIS VARIOUS liUKKDS. 
725 
the horse may possess, unless the mare be likewise gifted, and in 
good health, as also of good breed, her offspring will not possess 
the value to remunerate us for the rearing of such an animal. From 
the form and good qualities of the horse we may anticipate much 
pleasure and profit; but these excellent points and qualities will 
not descend to the foal, which will be defective, simply from want 
of form or blood in the dam, particularly as regards hunters of the 
y)resent day. 
There, probably, may be somewhat more difficulty in selecting 
from what mare we should breed, rather than in fixing on the 
horse; but in both particular care should be taken to have good 
eyes, sound feet, and freedom from vice, such as roaring, defective 
legs, whether as regards ringbone, spavins, or curbs; for these will 
descend from either the sire or the dam. 
T now come to the subject of FEEDING ; and as this is a matter 
that brings me so immediately to the stable, I must earnestly im¬ 
press on all the absolute necessity of a due regard to a perfect state 
of ventilation, and care in the construction of the building, so that 
a proper degree of light may also be admitted. 
We know that the animal body is connected with the external 
world by digestion and respiration, it being through these processes 
that it derives the elements bv which it subsists. Food and air are 
indispensable as long as life endures; and if either is withheld, or 
depraved in quality, or too scantily supplied, the animal languishes 
and dies. 
The quantity of food deserves as much attention as the quality. 
Jt should be sufficient to repair the waste, and in the young to 
provide for the growth and development of the body, which in 
them, to a certain period, is progressive. Deficiency of sustenance 
leaves the body imperfectly nourished, checks its natural growth, 
and begets many and various diseases marked by debility. 
Regularity of feeding is essential, as far as can possibly be 
practised. 
Co-ordinate with nutrition, in its being essential to animal life, 
is respiration. It differs in some respects, that while food is re¬ 
quired only at intervals, air is necessary every moment; and as 
regards its function, it is ([uality rather than quantity that requires 
attention. This is of the utmost importance, for if pure air is not 
l)reathed, health cannot be preserved. 
Of injury from impure air, the colt is peculiarly susceptible. 
The actions immediately essential to life are happily indepen¬ 
dent of the will, and we are thus far secured against the effects of 
indolence or caprice. Respiration, although not wholly an invo¬ 
luntary process, is so far independent of the will for its ordinary 
exercise, as to continue uninterruptedly, without effort, and even 
VOL. xni. 5 D 
