NEW 
“ TO IMPROVE THE SOIL AND MIND.” 
SERIES. 
Vol. IV. 
ALBANY, AUGUST, 1847. 
* 
/ 
BREEDING HORSES—No. III. 
As there have been hut few examples of systematic 
horse breeding in this country, I am under the neces¬ 
sity of making frequent reference to the English prac¬ 
tices. The course which has been pursued there, may 
be expected to produce similar results here, so far as 
it is followed, especially as our horses have been chief¬ 
ly derived from various descriptions of English stock. 
It is generally admitted that no description of horse 
is better calculated for light carriages on. the road, 
than the hunter, as he existed in his truest form and 
best character. u To describe the hunter,” says Prof. 
Low, “ is to describe a well-formed horse, in which 
exists that harmony of parts which consists with the 
best exercise of the powers of the animal. The per¬ 
fect English hunter is beyond a question the finest va¬ 
riety of horse that exists in any country, combining in 
a happier proportion than the race horse, the light¬ 
ness of the horses of the warmer regions, with the 
strength of the ancient racers of Europe. If we com¬ 
pare the hunter in his conformation, with the race 
horse, we shall find him inferior in the characters 
which indicate the power of speed, but far excelling in 
those which show the adaptation of the animal to use¬ 
ful services.” 
The hunter is used in England not only for the chase, 
but for the saddle, for military purposes, as chargers,* 
and for the lighter carriages. Prof. Low shows where¬ 
in the characteristics of the hunter should differ from 
those of the race horse. :c The hunter,” he says, 
* •' should possess a good fore end, that he may pass 
safely along the rough surface over which.he is urged, 
and over the obstacles which he encounters. The low 
fore end and elevated hind quarters, which are suited to 
the power of rapid progression over a smooth surface v 
* A writer in the Farmer's Library , vol. I., page 301, states that 
the English cavalry, at the battle of Waterloo, were mounted on 
blood ho.rses. His language.is that Bonaparte, “ in making his last 
tremendous struggle to retain the crown of France, experienced 
and ruinously felt the superiority of blood horses, on which the 
English cavalry were mounted.” This statement is incorrect, as 
the following testimony shows. Prof. Low says—“The cavalry 
horse is selected from the mixed races of the country. They have 
the characters of the modern coach horse, and not the horse of 
heavy draught. They would haVe been the pride of the times of 
chivalry, and afford now the example of the most powerful caval¬ 
ry horses that are any where to be found. The memorable field of 
Waterloo showed their importance. It is known that the lighter 
mounted regiments would have been overborne by the heavy- 
armed cavalry of France, but for the presence of the household 
troops.” Mr. Youatt, in his work on the horse, observes—“ A con r 
siderable change has taken place in the character of our war- 
horses ; lightness and activity have succeeded to bulk and strength, 
and for skirmishing and sudden attacks, the change is an improve¬ 
ment. * * * There was however, some danger of carrying this 
too far ; for it was found m the engagements previous to and at 
the battle of Waterloo, our heavy household troops alone were 
able to repulse the formidable charge of the French guard.” 
These were the “ terrible horses ” to which Bonaparte alluded when 
he. saw his own horsemen literally rode down.” 
would, in the hunter, be inconsistent with safety; and 
the tendency to ewe neck, which in the short and vio¬ 
lent gallop of the course is admissible, would in the 
case of the hunter, be inconsistent with sensitiveness to 
the rein. The neck of the hunter should be sufficient¬ 
ly muscular, and his chest just so broad as to indicate 
strength without heaviness. The long stride of the 
racer not being required in the hunter, he should pos¬ 
sess the conformation which indicates strength in the 
dorsal and lumbar regions, that is. he should be well 
ribbed home, and have the back moderately short.”' 
Mr. Youatt says—“ the body [of the hunter] should 
be short and compact compared with that of the race 
horse, that he may not in his gallop take too extended 
a stride. This would be a serious disadvantage in a 
long day and with a heavy rider, from the stress on 
the pasterns, and more so when going over clayey, 
poached ground. The compact, short-strided horse, 
will almost - skim the surface, while the feet of the 
longer reached animal will sink deep, and he will wear 
himself out in his efforts to disengage himself. Every 
horseman knows how much more enduring is a short¬ 
bodied horse in climbing hills, although perhaps not 
quite as much so in descending them. This is the se¬ 
cret of suiting the race horse to his course, and un¬ 
folds the apparent mystery of a decidedly superior 
horse on a flat and straight course, being often beaten 
by a little horse, with far shorter stride on uneven ground , 
and with several turnings.” 
Compare these remarks with those which describe 
the characteristics of the race horse. 
11 The race horse has been cultivated for a particu¬ 
lar end, and the purpose of the breeders has been to call 
forth in the highest degree those characters which in¬ 
dicate the power of rapid motion. These purposes have 
been fulfilled, and the form of the animal answers the 
conditions required. * * * His length is greater than 
consists with perfect beauty, the power of speed having 
been sought for in a higher degree than that of strength 
and endurance. His legs are longer and his trunk small¬ 
er than the eye indicates as strictly graceful. The length 
and depth of the hind-quarters, a point essential to the 
power of making long strides, are' extended to the de¬ 
gree of appearing disproportionate. The chest is nar¬ 
row, and the fore-quarters light, a point likewise cha¬ 
racteristic of speed. The neck is straight, rather than 
gracefully arched, and the pasterns are very long and 
oblique.” 
These points, although they indicate the adaptation 
of the animal to the purposes for which he is destined, 
and in this refef>ect' furnish a striking example of the 
art of man in controlling the animal economy—clearly 
show that sonic of the valuable properties of the hors© 
