Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-01-11
Agricultural.
Breeding of Horses.

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made at the late fair of the Windsor
County Agricultural Society, by the
Committee on Horses. The report is
the best paper we have seen among those
yet produced by the agency Of our Coun-
ty Societies. The reasons for making
the awards are given in full, with excel
lent practical remarks on the business
of breeding horses. Ii will repay care
full perusal. Vermont State Agricultu-
rist.
Your Committee are of the opinion
that there is no branch of stock raising
more profitable than the rearing of the
bes, of horses and they consider there
is no trouble in accomplishing this, pro-
vided that none but the very best Of
stations are bred to, and none are bred
from, any but excellent horses, which, by
she way, are very scarce and hard to be
obtained, and for the following reasons
Owing 10 the high price, good " horse
flesh" will ever command, the majority
of our best mares, as soon as they come
10 maturity, find their way into our Viii
lage and City markets, and are never al
lowed to breed, save a few that may be
returned to the country after becoming
unsound in limb, or having their consti-
tuition broke down with hard usage and
old age and many that remain among
the farmers are valued so highly for their
labor and fine appearance, that they are
never permitted TO breed until they are
in. a similar condition to those returned
from our business markets. The conse-
quence is, that nearly all of our horses
are produced from the most ordinary
mares, or unsound ones. An unsound-
ness of the limbs may not impair the val
ue of breeding mare, but if size has n
weakened constitution, it must more or
less impair the strength, speed and en-
durance of the offspring. although they
may have fine forms. Your committee
believe it would be far more profitable to
purchase and breed from mares worth
$3.50, than from those whose average val
ue for the last ten years, in a sound state,
has been no more than $40, (and this we
believe is the class of a majority of our
breeding Mares From mares of this
stamp, and to. good stations, we cannot
raise colts which, at 4 years old, would
have sold, through the above mentioned
time, higher than from $50 10 S75
whereas, from the first class of mares,
and 10 the same stations, we could with
equal certainty raise colts that would
command double these prices, and occa-
sionally, one may command four times
as much.
Another thing that has great ten
dency to multiply the number Of poor
horses is, that farmers too often esti-
mate the profits of raising colts by the
first cost of getting misunderstanding
their patronage where they can be en-
sured with foal for the least money,
and frequently 10 a horse of ordinary
qualities when by the addition of a few
dollars, they might secure the services Of
horse whose stock would afford them
a profit similar to that spoken of with
the best class of breeding mares. 1t
should be remarked, however, that stall
lions are Of a much higher quality than
the breeding mares. Take them as a
whole, there has been great improve
ment in them, within few years. And
although we may have only a few but
what arc valuable horses, yet there is a
great difference between them, --and e.
ven among many of those of IA very high
order. Independent of the pccuniary
advantages of breeding from none Blu,
the very best of horses and sires, one
may enjoy according to the fancy of the
owner, from SIS to. 500 worth of salts
faction. in producing a superior animal.
Allow your committee TO throw out a
few hints in relation to breeding colts
docking, nicking, and breaking. Colts
should always be kept in good condi-
tion--not extravagantly fed, yet they
should have something more than dry
food the first two winters. The starv-
ing of colts will not only impede their
growth, but will bring on contraction
Of the ribs, cords, and muscles-espe-
ciaily about the chest aud shoulders, that
will more or less impair their power, ac-
ton, speed and endurance, after coming
to maturity.
1t is the opinion Of your committee
that horse will have the most perfect
strength and action with natural tail,
yet for appearance they would recon-
mend a moderate docking, which should
be governed by the build of the animal
and the character of the tail, but we
should very seldom leave dock OF less
than twelve inches ; and the docking
should be performed when The colts are
one or two years old, Zone year old is
preferable.) Colts may be locked a,
these ages with less injury to them than
when nearly grown they will have
more of bush to the tail, with longer
hair, and will be inclined to carry it in a
more elevated position. Nicking should
he look ed uDOn MS n cruel and useIess