The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1888-08-17

HORSES AND MEETINGS.

HORSES AND MEETINGS.
It IL doubtful if, even in Kentucky, the
horse Paradise Of America for many gener'
atoms, there is more general interest taken
in the breeding and speeding of fine horses
than there Is in Montana, For many years
racing meetings in Montana were made and
attended principally for the excitement Of
the race, but Is fine stations were brought
in and colts developed, the more attentive
observers noticed the Territory, with ito
favorable soil, nutritious grasses, pure water,
and dry atmosphere, seemed especially adap.
ted for breeding = feet, strong horse, with
good form, muscle and lungs, and men Of
means turned their attention to importing
and breeding up to q high standard, while
farmers and small stock growers have latterly
followed their example, and ! high average
has already taken the place of the range
horse and cay1se. Montana aspires to do
better yet. The Rocky Mountain Husband.
man, one Of the first papers to call attention
to the capabilities of Montana in producing
superior horses, accredits Mr.. w. H. Ray
mond with having brought its attention to
the fact, but vi feel assured that Mr.. Ray
mond will share with S. E. Larabie, Poin-
dexter & Orr, Kohrs & B%ielenberg, Hundley
& Clark, William Wallace, aud others, the
credit of discovery, heavy investment and
have produced q large number of splendid
horses, and sone that have taken the laurels
when brought into competition with the best
flyers in the United States. And horse
breeding, although as yet in its infancy in
Montana, has ELECTED from the Turf, Field
and Farm, the prophecy that "Montana will
yet become the home of the race horse of
America" All the favorable conditions Of
soil, climate and feed are conceded. The
Territory is filing year after year with veal
thy men, grown rich here, who find no in
vestment more pleasant and profitable than
fine horses, and are establishing farms
and placing stock on them that will increase
the reputation of the Montana-bred horse.
For this reason Race-courses are becoming
more numerous, Associations are formed to
encourage the development of speed and
endurance, the meetings are regarded less
for their gambling opportunities than their
demonstration of merit, and effort is rein
forced to secure square contests, where the
best horses may win. In view of these facts
the series of meetings now in progress is
entitled to increased approval, and has a sig.
nifcence and object greater than that where
they are held for sport only. Horse-raising,
and especially the raising Of trotting horses,
is becoming = leading pursuit in Montana,
and when to the fascination of turf sports
and the admiration of q fine horse is added
the fact that there is always q good market
and a good price for a good horse, it is no
wonder we see yearly greater interest in the
races and larger investments IN fine animals.
May that interest increase and meet with
best reward.
While Montana has special use for heavy
draft horses, there is q limit to the demand
for such; and incidental to this topic, we
give below, as Of interest and value to breed
ers generally, a few timely and we'll consid-
cred suggestions by a correspondent of the
Country Gentleman, as to what constitutes
the most desirable, marketable and availa-
Bile horse:
~ think your readers will agree that the
horse to bring the most money in the markets
Of the country, any day of the year, is one
adapted to the greatest number Of purposes.
Such a horse should be bay, 16 hands high,
weigh from 1000 to 1400 pounds, with good
limbs and feet, good action, good wind and
q gentlemen's road horse, q coach horse, q
physicians horse, a family horse, q team
horse or a farm horse-in short, ANYTHING
that may be required of a horse.
As to the breed of horses that is most
likely to produce such an animal, there is
none that can equal the standard bred trot-
tiers of to-day. They are bred with a
knowledge and experience That make the
reproduction of the sterling qualities of the
horse almost q certainty. They are bred
with the qualities Of size, great muscular
development, soundness and endurance of
wind and limb, SO as to make them disirable
for any all the ordinary occupations of the
horse.
The ordinary farmer can not afford to
breed for any one especial purpose. He
muSt nave several SLrlDgS 10 MS DOW. In
case his colt fails to develop into just the
kind of a horse he intended it should, he
can not afford to loss q large proportion Of
its value, but should be able to sell it for an
equal sum for some other purpose. Such is
the standardized trotter of to-day. If the
colt shows great speed, he is worth an acre
Of slow horses; with less speed he will still
bring paying returns as q gentlemen's or
physicians horse; with still less speed, his
herd will pay the farmer very we'll at coach
horse prices. Though deficient in speed and
action, he will be sought after as a family
horse. And yet, should he be desirable for
none of these purposes, with no detriment
to his breeder he can be put to work in the
team or the farm and be very much at
home.'
These are the various purposes to which
the we'll bred horse may be turned, even if
he does not make q record a. a flyer, and
with the facilities Montana stock men have
there is scarcely q farm that cannot bring
along every year or two 4 span or more of
horses, the proceeds of which will aid mate.
rally to the net profits of his business.
We are glad to see the Associations make q
AnpcialkV 0f hrin0in0 mt hama hvo1 nnlkn