Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1878-04-17
HORSE BREEDING, TRAINING
AND MANA CEMENT.
ny JOHN 3. RUSSELL, ESQ.

by JOHN Z. RUSSELL, ESQ.
Horse breeding in New England,
said he, as a business is not successful,
1t is not the legitimate work Of the
farmer, and is carried on only for the
amusement of those who can afford to
breed without respect to profit. For
twenty years past 1t has been not on
ly without profit but discreditable, be-
cause the great proportion of the
horses produced have been of poor
quality. The object seems to be to
breed horse that can make track
record at its second best gait.
People seem to be dazzled by the
great prizes carried off by the Lady
Thorns and Dexters. This trotting
business is complex one, and the pro-
curing Of the horse is only the vesti-
bule Of vast temple of expense 1t
is the rule Of these ventures that the
colt is a failure. But il 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. 1t would
be a recompense If those horses could
DO transferred into some legitimate
pursuit, but they are not fit for such.
The chance Of getting a 6rst-class trot-
ter out of number of horses reminds
one of a remark made by a French
man concerning the chance Of getting
a good wife in Paris society. He said
it was like grabbing for an eel in a
barrel Of snakes.
While attention is devoted TO the
raising Of trotters, it is true that fine
carriage horses never were scarcer
than they are at present, though the
perfection of a carriage horse can be
raised with less trouble and cost than
are expended on horses meant to be
trotters, 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
to breed with credit and for profit, we
must employ the services Of selected
thoroughbrcds. In selecting a thor
oughbred we should not take a weedy
horse because he has madc quick time
on short tracks. He should be 1913 oI
l6 hands high, without long legs. HC
should have strong mental qualities
for the horse must be intelligent, brave
patient and generous. And now as tc
the mares TO use.
Looking about New England il i:
easier to tell what not to use thar
what to use. The theory is wrong
that the ioal should follow the quail
ties of the SIRE alone. ltis well settled
that the dam must be the equal Of thC
sire. Blood and quality can be raised
so much quicker through the male hne
that with dams Of first-fate quality The
highest class of horses can, perhaps
soonest be produced. II man has
not tirst-rate mare and fine thor
oughbred stallion he would better LEI
horse-brceding alone. A stallion SHOULD
be kept in moderate flesh His box
stall should be whore he could hav'
the company Of other horses, or be il
sight of his mares. He should hav'
IL paddock in which TO run; SHOULD
have sufficient exercise, and occasion
ally a sharp run to give good sweat
A colt, after it has been wcancd
should not be turned back 10 pasture
but should be kept in a paddock anC
fed on sweet hay and bruised grain
the latter in spite of all that is sait
against it, During this time careful
attention should be given to every
part of him, especially OF feet. A coll
properly reared is fit for work, ant
should have it regularly when he il
two years old. Every breeder should
be fond OF associating with animals
and should accustnm himself TO thei
habits and diseases. Horses for prof
must be sold young, unless they ar
actually earning their living from day
to day and adding to their value.
Leave speculation TO joelSies and sci
as soon as you can. The best time :,
sell is before he is foaled, to somebod,
who is in love with the dam. The mex
best time is when they are weaned
ior in the common eye the weanin,
will make beautiful horse. 1t ismucl
the same as with babies. The great
est folly is to submit horse TO a stu