Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-03-21
TO BREED BETTER HORSES
A New Government Stock Farm
Gift to the Nation.
A 4OO-Acre Farm in wcybridgc Given
10 the National Government for the
Development of the Morgan Horse
"A Possible Gift Of 1000 Acres.

to-day in all the many bureaus of the
effort to improve the American horse
says the Washington correspondent of
the Springfield Republican. 1t interests
the farmers and horse breeders OF the
whole country. but is of special interest
to New England and to Springfield be-
cause the key of the plan is the improve
ment OF the Morgan strain. While the
effort is general no other one family
save the Morgan breed is receiving dis
tinct attention. Not only has the Nor
gan horse for over n century been one
of the great prdcs of Vermont. but. as
those familiar with equine history will
remember. the Morgan line dates back
TO the year 17ss when its progenitor, the
famous stallion Justin Morgan, was
foaled in West Springfield An addi-
tional element of timely interest is lent
by the fact that within few weeks
Joseph Battell of Middlebury, Vt, the
well-known horse breeder, author and
bonlface who spends his winters in
Washington has signed deeds making
over to the national government free Of
cost beautiful farm of 400 acres at
Wcybridge. Addison county, VT. which
farm for the better development of the
Morgan horse.
Two years ago Congress furnished the
first means for improving the American
horse by appropriating $3.50 for inves-
LEGATIONS in animal breeding and feeding
in connection with the state agricultural
experiment stations. Last year the ap-
preparation was repeated and the session
" Oh hoe ittct lnl f,,nr
amount to $4,000. 1t was decided in
1905 that scientific horse breeding was
the most important line Of work which
could lie taken UP under this appropria-
ton and that policy has since been con-
tinued. IT was felt that not only was
there a shortage OF horses but that their
breeding in America had been harmed
by unwise methods. particularly by the
speed mania which had led to the breed
ing of unsound and unstable animals
without actually achieving so much
.iloed as might have been secured by
proceeding along more scientific lines.
In the various countries of the world
whore horse breeding has been cncour-
aged by government assistance the foun-
dalton has been native stock and the
key to successful work has been selec-
all respect Of Godolphin Arabian. the
barley Arabian and the contempors rios
the great factor In developing the thor
oughbred horse was tho method of the
English breeder. and more credit is due
to native English stock and to environ
mcnt than has generally been ac-
knowlcdged
What the Thoroughbred horse is to the
L ,I;...
American; the breeds are the national
horses Of their respective countries. and.
as the thoroughbred has been the great
leavening power in developing English
breeds OF light horses. the trottcr may
bear the same relation TO the horse stock
of America. The trotter Is found
throughout the country wherever horses
are raised, and any Improvement In this
breed affects in time the entire horse
industry. The light market classes can
be supplied from this source. and there
is no more effective way to provide "A
supply OF suitable cavalry horses for the
United States army than by showing
how the native horse may be improved.
That the trotter has faults no one will
deny, and that the speed mania has been
responsible for many OF these faults.
bankrupt. is equally certain. II a horse
can trot in 21O or better. it Is reason
ably assured that he will make money
for his owner. and it matters not how
homely or unsound he may be; but the
horse has bad looks and Is unsound and
also lacks speed he will be improbable
on the track and cannot be sold at
profitable price on the market; while,
;,, l., ct, ,l,l
ties are perpetuated. The fact that less
than one-half of per cent. of the regis
tered horses in America can trot in 2:lo
shows how great a gamble is the breed
ing for speed alone On the other hand
If the horse has moderate speed but IS
sound. handsome and stylish, with
shapely head and neck. a straight,
strong back. straight Group. muscular
quarters and stiles, well-set legs,
possesses good all-round true action, aud
has abundant endurance. he is almost
certainly a profitable investment This
is the kind OF light horse which the
market wants and will pay for II Of
he roadster type, he sells we'll as Il
driver: If more on the heavy harness
order, as n carriage horse.
In view of these facts, the agricultural
velopnent of II breed of carriage horses
on an American foundation as an inter-
csting and important problem for solu-
ton If successful. it will SHOW that We
can develop our own breeding stock OF
horses in this country; it will make light
horse breeding less OF lottery than 1t
is at present, and will at the same time
provide breeding animals which can be
used proftably on the lighter horses Of
the country.
The first step was the establishment in
connection with the Colorado State ex-
pertinent station at Fort Golfers, Col,
of a government stud. After thorough
search Is mares and one stallion were
selected. The instructions Of the puchas-
Ing board allowed considerable latitude,
| but It was required to select accord ng
| to type Hereditary unsoundness was
regarded as a disqualification. Pedigree
was not considered so far as registra ton
was concerned, but the board required
evidence to be submitted showing that
the animals purchased We're from par
ents and ancestors of like type, thus in
surfing blood lines that would breed rea-
sonably true. Speed, while not ignored,
was not made an essential. Life, spirit
and energy, with moderate speed, were
considered, and, while conformation was
not sacrificed to speed, speed with con-