Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-03-18

cross are apt to wear away in few genera
tons, unless maintained by careful selection
on the part of the breeder. If, then, (sup-
posing the Morgan horse to have come from
Canada,) his color was an accidental variety,
it would not have so generally marked his
numerous offspring, unless greet pains were
taken to preserve il by selection, which has
not been the case. Ii appears evident, from
the prevalence of this color through several
successive generations, as well as the similar
descent Of various qualities, which are au-
,hen,icated as having belonged TO the first
known sire, that the Morgan horse, whatever
may have been its origin, was Of one pure
stock that is, that he was not cross bred, or
produced by the union Of two different
breeds; for in that case, there must have
been a greater variety in his progeny, some
running to one family and some to the other,
whereas a remarkable similarity is known
to prevail in all of this race. And here we
may notice that the breeder is apt TO find an
essential difference in two races: the Nor
gan, crossed or mixed with the common va
rious breeds, incl mes to retain its peculiar
characteristics and ITS small size in the off,
spring for many generations, while all the
French Canadian races, though not larger
for the most part than the Morgan, when
used as cross, increase the size of The pro-
geny, AID frequently assimilaIe so that the
blood can only be recognized by practical
observer, in the greater development and ro-
business of form, and the courage, spirit, and
aptness to thrive, which are commonly rcck-
oned as constitutional health.
The Morgan differ essentially from the
Canadian horses in their action or mode of
travelling. A Morgan horse eidas over the
ground eight or nine miles an hour, with such
easy movements of his legs, that one would
think they only felt relieved Wien SO emf
ploycd the Canadian, if he has speed,
seems to 90 by main strength, every stride
arising plainly from purposed exertion of
his powerful muscles.
Another principal dissimiIarity IS IN the
endurance Of the feet; and here thrCanadlan
horse has all the advantage. The Morgan
appears TO be subject, as much as equally
strong consliioned horses of any breed, to
founder and other diseases of the feet, while
with the Canadian such ailments are less
known, perhaps, than with any other breed
in the world. There are numbers of horses
in Canada that, under mass of shaggy hair,
possess dry, sincwy legs, on which the Sc
verest service never raises wind gall. The
LEGS o! the Morgan, though destitute of long
hair, have this excellent conformation in "a
high degree.
Tine Morgan is a great traveller, an until
ring all-day horse, hut seldom very fast
trol'er OF galloper, and less freqcntIy per-
feet saddle horse. The Canadian, if he has
Il" power of rapid locomolion, inclncs for
the most part to put forth his energies only
for short time, and then to take a leisurcly
gait. as if slight sense of fatigue Overhaul
ancrd the alacrl'y Of his nervous system.
There are, however, splendid exceptions to
this description, horses that, with no light
load behind them, will travel eighty aud
even ninety miles in day. Some Of the
lighter fooled Canadian horses, too, are very
pleasant under the saddle, ,hough in general
the weight of the neck and uprightncss of
the shoulder dsquaIify them for this use.
The head of the Morgan, though not less
energetic, is somewhat dissimar to that of
the Canadian. The ears Of one are upright,
of tie other more apart. The head of the
Canadian horse is broader at the upper part
than that of the other. Each has a great
breadth between the eyes, which is consider
ed a sure indication of energy in an animal.
The Morgan has the best open nostril for
wind and bottom. more like that Of the race
horse; and the whole of the mnzzle, as well
as the eye and ear, indicate more breeding,
or "A longer period of cultivation, than those
OF the Canadian. There IS a difference of
shape observable throughout the whole fig
ure. The Morgan is long in the side, hu,
always short on the back, and strong aud
too, differs from that of the Canadian horse.
1t is deep, well slopcd, comparatively thin at
the top and heavy at the bottom, serving,
conformity with wide chest and the fore legs
set far apart, to give the horse an appearance
of strength and endurance scarcely to be
Looked for in one of his spirit and lleelness.
The high crested neck and thick, wavy
tail of the Morgan, show much of the char
actcr of some races of the Canadian.
Whether the Morgan be scion of the
Canadian stock, or he derived from the
Dutch or some other breed which has disap-
peared in the United States, appears to be
question of some importance to those who
would make good selections in orde, to i'm
prove the breed of horses; and whoever
can throw any light upon the subject will
crafty a large portion Of your readers by
making known his information through the
Culivator. II the French Canadian did
not supply the Morgan, !, for one, should be
glad TO learn what other breed has ever been
known upon this continent that could boast
such excellent qualities for common service
as are universally admitted to distinguish
both Of these breeds.
GEORGE BARNARD.
SherJrooke, L. c., Oct. 25, 1871.
Why isa small man particularly exposed