Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-01-31
3arn' anO bonssboIo
Es.ss Breeding. Training a.3 Management.
BY JOHN Z RI ssELL, ESQ.

Horse breeding in New England,
said he, as business is not successful.
II is not the legitimate work OF the FARM
er, and is carried on only for the
amusement of those who can afford 10
breed without respect 10 profit. For
twenty wears past it has been not only
without profit but discredilable, be-
cause the great proportion of the horses
produced have been of poor quality.
The object seem. to be TO breed horse
that can make track record at il, Sec
ond best gait.
People seems to be dazzled bv the
great prizes carried of by the Lady
Thorns and Dexters. This trotting
business is a complex one, and the pro-
curing of the horse is only the vestibuIe
OF vast temple of expense. II is the
rule of these ventures that the colt is a
failure. But If he prove the exception
and develop speed, then he must be
taken TO the track, entered with care
and managed in accordance with the
tricks OF the track. Ii would be re-
compense if those horses could be trans
ferred into some legitimate pursuit, but
they are not fit for such. The chance
number OF horses reminds one Of n re-
mark made by Frenchman concerning
the chance of getting good wife in
Paris society. lie said ii was like era b.
bling for an eel in barrel of snakes
While attention is devoted TO the rails
rage horses never were scarcer than
thew are at present, though the perfec-
ton Of q carriage horse can be raised
with less trouble and cost than sic ex-
pended on horses meant TO be troiters
but which in all probability will prove
failures. What available race is there
which is so established that it is capable
OF reproducing like quality. If we in
New England are 10 breed with credit
and for profit, we must'employ the SER
vices OF selected thoroughbreds, In
selecting thoroughbred we should not
take a weedy horse because he has
made quick time on short tracks. He
should be l5-3 or &c hands high, with.
out long legs. He should have strong
mental qualities, for the horse must be
intelligent, brave, patient and gener-
Gus. And now as 10 the mares 10 use.
Looking about New England it is
easier TO tell what not to use than what
TO use. ThS theoyis wrong that the
foal should follow the qualities of the
sire alone. II is well settled that the
dam must be the equal of the sire.
Blood aud Equality can he raised SO
much quicker through the male line,
that with dams OF first-rate quality the
highest class of horses can, perhaps,
soonest be produced. If a man has not
first-rate mare and fiDe ithoroahbred
stallion he would better let horse breed
Ing alone. A stallion should be kept
in moderate flesh. His box-stall should
be where he conld have the company Of
other horses, or be in the sight Of his
mares. He should have a paddock in
which to run should have sufficient ex-
ercise, and occasionally sharp run to
give him good sweat. A colt, after
it has been weaned, should not be turn
ed back to pasture, but should be kept
in paddock and Fed OH sweet hav and
bruised grain, the latter in spite of all
that is said against it. During this
time careful attention should be given
to every part of him, especially his feet.
A colt properly reared is fit for work.
and should have ii regularly when he is
two years old. Every breeder should
be fond Of associating with animals.
and should accuston himself 10 their
habits and diseases. Horses for profit
must be sold young unless they are ac-
tually earning their living from day to
day and adding to their value.
Leave speculation to iockies and sell
as soon as you can. The best time to
sell is before he is foaled, to somebody
who is in love with the dam. The next
best time is when they are weaned, for
in the common eye the weaving will
make q beautiful horse. II is much the
same as with babies. The greatest fol.
ly is to submit hor.e to stupid, ig-
nsrant and sometimes drunken mech
snic for shoeing. Few of our horses
live out half their days, because of dis
eases of the feet, caused by ignorant
horse shoers. In closing Mr. Russell pro-
tested against the present mode of
granting premiums at agricultural fairs,
where speed alone is considered.