Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-05-04
due attention to the subject of breed
mo horses some wears 400

due attention to the subject of breed
ing horses some years ago.
Having thus endeavored to show
that there is a market for our horses,
the next thing is to show how the
market may be supplied, and in this
respect l must crave your attention
for moment aud travel directly
from the subject matter of this paper.
AS a turf reporter it has long seem
ed to me that nearly all the State
and county agricultural societies
have been somewhat neglectful of
their true interests, and instead
of encouraging the breeding of use
full animals in their immediate dis
trict by offering encouraging premi-
ums for young stock, brood mares
and stations, they have offered few
cheap medals, with little or no atten-
ton OF accommodation to exhibitors
or the exhibited. At the same time
they have paid too much attention
to the trot:ing of lot Of worthless
geldings, which for any real use
were not worth their shoes. In
stead of risking so much money Oh
exhibitions of speed, the societies
should buy a half or quarter Ham
bletonlon stallion, or thoroughbred
stallion-the get of Lexington Aus
tralian, or i'll fact any wcll-bred stall
lion-possessing bone and substance,
with good trotting action if a trotter
"a horse with intelligence that
would at once win the eye, and if
necessary pass the inspection by
German or Russian Government in
spector. Any association adopting
such a course, with the presumption
that the horse would be in the hands
of an honest, capable man, devoted
to his business, would in few years
introduce new source of wealth to
their members, instead Of their
mares as is now often the case drop
ping worthless colts and tillies, pos
sessing neither shape nor strength,
and often inheriting diseases render
ing them at five years old only fit to
drag out a miserable existence in a
brick yard. Such an association
would accomplish at least one OBJ
ject tor which it was organized.
Not only would the members OF the
association benefit by the services
of their stallion, but new interests
would spring up in the vicinity.
Every bree der would naturally en-
deavor to show the best stock, and
in course of time "horse fairs" would
become one of our most interesting
Spring and Autumn holidays. Buy
ers would be attracted to the neig h-
borhoods that excelled in any special
breeds. Some counties would excel
in carriage horses; others i'll saddle
horses. One would become famous
for its chestnuts; another for bays,
blacks or grays, as Lincolnshire
England is famous for its roans.
\ few words more on the subject
of stations. Farmers and breeders
cannot be too particular to what
they breed their commonest mares.
Cheap service by some big, perlpatet-
&c, sott-ooking brute, with pedl-
gree that is said to run back Il cen
tury or two, should be especially
avoided. In fact, it should be made
a criminal offense for any man to
"tramp" through the country with Il
stallion claiming pedigree which is
plainly false. But what would be
better, IN my estimation, is that the
several State governments should
take the subject in hand. No stall
lion should be publicly advertised
without first having been duly ex-
amined by 4 competent veterinary
surgeon, and if any pedigree is claim
ed it must be vouched for by prop
er proof, the evidence of which shall
be duly set forth in the license that
those controlling the stallion shall be
compelled to exhibit. No horse
should be licensed for such public
service that does not come up to
standard to be prescribed by State
agricultural board. OF course the
care must not all be on the part OF
the horsc-the mare should at least
be healthy, of good size, and proper
lv taken care of at all times.
Personally, would even go fur
Their in the matter of horse-breeding,
and would like to see the establish
ment in large agricultural districts
of national or State stud farms SINH
lar in character to the imperial hards
OF Germany, Austria, Hungary and
Russia, believing that with proper
economy and thrift all money la
vested would pay amply in the long
run. OF course under our present
political system such an idea is Tito
plan, but it is a success in Europe
Kisber, the winner Of last years Eng
lish Derby, having been bred on the
Imperial farm at Kisber, Hungary,
from whence he was sold as a year.
ling-and there is no real reason
why our own State or National gov
eminent should not give some
support to an industry that can be
made so productive.