Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-08-09
The French Coach Horse.

NO amman SO nearly approaches the
human family in its intelligence as the
high bred horse, and none so strongly
appeals to the heart of man when suf-
fering or misfortune overtakes him.
From the king to the peasant the love
OF a perfect horse is a bond of sympa-
thy. For more than a thousand years
the history of the French horse has
been identical with the history Of the
nation and amid all the turmoil Of its
political strife the safety and improve
ment of the horse has been a prevailing
sentiment No other nation has taken
SO much interest in the improvement OF
this noble animal, and this generation
Is reaping the reward OF the dread
cast upon the waters by it's predeces-
sors.
AS early as 1865 the government studs
were permanently established and from
that time down to the present day the
horse breeding of France has been re-
duced TO a science. Under the foster
ing care and patronage of the govern
mont which has generously and
literally provided for every contin-
gency the raising of high class horses
of the different breeds has become a
possibility. In 1883 there were in
France 1920 approved and government
stations, and from 1918 TO 1888 the gov
eminent bought for service in their
studs 1902 stations. OF these 223
came from Arabia and other foreign
countries, $50 from the northern depart
ments Of France, and 500 we're selected
49, al. - II a. --A-.l -.
of government stations. In 1881 a
notable advance was made toward the
improvement of the light breeds suit
able for coach and cavalry purposes,
which was followed in 1888 by a royal
decree establishing a government stud
book for the preservation of pedigrees,
and this was placed under the supervis-
ion of the minister of agriculture.
After the establishment of this stud
book more critical Judgment was exer-
cised in the selection of stations for
government use and a decided improve
! ment has taken place in the character
of the horses of the entire country, be-
tween IL, 900 and $4,000 owned by the
government having been recorded. No
animal is given a number unless be-
longing to the government stud.
The French government has tept one
central object constantly in view, the
encouragement Of the people by every
possible means to adopt a higher stand
ard of breeding; furnishing them the
means to accomplish this by introducing
INTO every locality the finest stations
of the different breeds, which are offered
for use at a nominal service fee. These
consist, first, of stations owned by the
government; second, stations belong
ing TO private individuals, inspected
and approved by the government, such
approved stations receiving from the
government from 300 to 1900 francs
per annum, according to their breeding
and excellence; third, authorized stall
lions-animals that by government in
spection are pronounced of good quality
and worthy of public patronage. To
further prevent the use OF inferior in
dividuals a decree was issued in 1855
excluding from public service all stall
lions not authorized by the govern
ment.
The valuable qualities claimed for
the French coach horses over those Of
other coach breeds are based upon a
system of breeding no. possessed by any
other race. Instead Of being a multi
plicity of ideas, the French coach horse
has been developed under the exclusive
guidance of the director-general OF the
national studs of France, and as these
officials are educated in the same
schools, trained in the same system,
and taught to seek the same qualities
and form, it is easy to understand how
such great perfection and uniformity in
this breed has been attained. These
horses are the descendants of the Arab,
the famous breed Of the Mereault and
the French and English thoroughbreds.
The uniting and concentrating Of all
the valuable qualities of these breeds
through so many generations has de-
veloped a race of such size and wonder
full endurance, combined with perfect
symmetry and graceful carriage, that
our idea of perfection in q coach horse
has been attained, while their breed
ing assures their power TO transmit
these qualities to their offspring. With
all the size, strength and endurance
necessary for performing farm or heavy
labor, they still have the ease and ele-
gance necessary OF action that is char
acteristic of their thoroughbred ances-
tors. They are indeed q magnificent
race Of horses.-Ex.