406 
HORSE BREEDING IN FRANCE. 
“ It would appear evident enough that one scale will not serve 
for two animals, though of the same species, so dissimilar to each 
other; at least, we ought to be furnished with one scale of propor¬ 
tions for the race horse and one for the carthorse. There can be no 
doubt that one definite length and breadth and volume is required 
for every individual member, and that no deviation from this can 
take place without disparagement and consequent impairment to the 
whole ; but, then, so much depends upon a variety of concomitant 
and dependent circumstances, such as the adaptation and propor¬ 
tion of other parts, and the internal texture, organization, and sus¬ 
ceptibility of the whole, that it seems very unnatural, and is 
perhaps impossible, to lay down any precise and immediate laws. 
In confirmation of this, how often does it happen that we are asto¬ 
nished at the excellent performances of some misshapen horse, and 
equally surprised and disappointed at the inability of another 
whose pretensions, according to the laws of beauty and proportion, 
are of the very first order.”— Percivall. 
Knowledge of individuality constitutes the practice of horse 
breeding, as you say M. Richard “ the Arab well chosen.” Why 
not the English pure blood horse also well chosen 1 Choosing 
stallions for breeding racers and chargers, for agricultural or other 
domestic uses, is very different. Racing depends upon blood, and 
horses that have been brought into fashion by shewing forth indi¬ 
viduality on the turf are chosen as stallions. It sometimes dis¬ 
appears for a time in studs, and again reappears, without reference 
to that part of individuality shewn in shape and make, i. e. as turf¬ 
men express themselves, “ horses run in all forms.” Yet there are 
forms to which from experience they give preference, being more 
useful as racers by form alone, and which, when combined with 
reappearance of blood, is sure to win. It is the flat form*, length 
and depth, length of the muscles concerned in extension, or stride 
in action. 
The opposite shape and make, the contour form, the high actioned 
horse, may race by repetition of action supported by blood alone, 
i. e. “ life and spirit of a super-excellent kind.” 
These different forms occur in all varieties of the horse, the 
former, when accompanied with low forehand, is ill adapted; the 
latter, with high forehand, is better adapted in a stallion to beget 
* Flat or prominent in the contour (this is rather difficult to describe, al¬ 
though it could be easily shewn in the living subject or in drawings ; and I shall 
feel happy to enter into further explanation with M. Richard) ; but for the 
scientific causes of this, and other matters regarding the breeding of horses 
or other animals, I must refer to Mr. Percivall’s Lectures on the Veterinary 
Art, vol. i, pages 136 to 140—*144, very apparent in high caste; 220 to 223 
236, 237—265, 266—268—284—287, 288—309, 310—312 to 315—332— 
334. 
