240 
ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FARM HORSE. 
elements so essentially required for her full growth : stunted ani¬ 
mals frequently result from this practice, which otherwise might 
have acquired bulk and perfection. 
The brood mare’s chest, for agricultural purposes, should be 
roomy; her shoulders oblique and deep; her girth large, and 
her carcass rather long, with broad loins and wide quarters: free¬ 
dom will then be afforded for the expansion of the uterus during 
gestation, and every facility will be given for the expulsion of the 
foetus; such points being symbolical of great strength. Muscular 
form cannot be too prominently developed in the brood mare when 
compact: a well-formed ham, and the thighs possessing plenty of 
muscle, is a great desideratum, with large bony joints and flat 
shanks. What I have said of the hind quarter is in a great 
measure applicable to the fore,—have as much well-formed muscle 
as possible from the arm to the knee, but gradually lost as it 
approximates the latter. The tendons should be well defined in 
passing down from behind the knee to the fetlock, and not have the 
appearance of being drawn in, as it limits their freedom of action. 
The pastern joints should be large, neither too upright nor too 
oblique. The hoof be tough and free from brittleness, and be black 
and smooth. The standing of the fore legs in the cart-horse is not 
considered objectionable, if they do slightly incline under him, 
provided the legs are straight: it is the opinion of some that such 
position is favourable for draught. Some, again, consider the toe 
should be in a direct line with the point of the shoulder. A good 
head is a very valuable acquirement in either sire or dam; it is 
generally the first point that attracts attention. The forehead should 
be broad, the ears moderately long, but not thick; the eyes pro¬ 
minent, clear, and large, with thin eyelids; the channel under the 
jaws wide and clean. In the cart-horse some do not like the Roman 
nose, it being considered indicative of a sluggish disposition. The 
neck from the withers should gently curve, and lessen in size as it 
reaches the head, since nothing is more displeasing than a head 
badly set on. 
What I have said of the breeding mare is also applicable to the 
stallion, with this exception, that the neck and crest should have 
greater bulk and form. The male animal ought not to serve mares 
until he has attained full maturity ; he will then be in a fit condition 
for propagation. It cannot be attended with good results to allow 
animals to exercise their sexual organs when only two or three 
years old : there is no custom more to be reprehended than allow¬ 
ing animals, when too young, to propagate their species. 
Temperament should also be regarded both in the sire and dam, 
as nothing renders a horse more valueless than an irritable, fretful, 
or restless disposition : animals having such may, in truth, be 
