The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-06-17

Grading Up Involves Breeding the
Best Obtainable Mares Solely TO
Pure-bred Stalhonl-
(By A. S. Alex auder.)

hLe some farmers are beginning
10 appreciate the Importance o; using
sound. pure-bred stations, the equal
Importance Of using sound mares IS
not vet generally understood. When 4
mare by reason OF unSoundnesS IS no
longer 1T for anything else. she ~
often set aside for breeding purposes
n 50 long as this absurd and rum
Gus pohcy persists, the penalty will be
PAID IN the prevalence Of unsound
horses on our farms For corrobora.
ton Of this, one has only In examine
the brood mares on a number Of farms
The unSound mares Will be found
numerous and manv Of their adult on
spring ares unfairly affected The loI-
lowing letters from farmers will help 10
demonstrate the lack OF comprehension
OF the principles OF horse breeding
Il have a l3vear-old mare that has
a knocked down hip. the heaveS and
she is lame. Would II be all right =
breed from her."
Il have three mares. the oldest 10
and the Youngest tour which have been
breeding since spring The one 10
years old has the heaves. is moon blind
IN one eye, and has a discharge from
the nose. Her hind legs stalk up If
she stands IN the stable over night. she
is wormy. very bad at times. Have
had her two years but have never lone
anything for her. She had a colt which
died with blind staggers at 10 DAYS II
age. In hot weather it botherS her to
breathe. Would you breed her AGAIN
II YOU were III my place"
Can YOU tell me what ails this
mare Bay Ally three years old. un-
broken and always well kept. Because
stiff in hind legs last winter and after
awhile got the same way IN front legs
and at present IS so stiff Shec ant lie
down. StraddleS wide both N front
and behind when she walks. Her knees
are bowed backward Eats well. Would
she do to breed from"
Emphatically, NO.
The following suggestions may be
outlined for the guidance Of farmers IN
conducting their horse breeding opera.
tons.
Commence grading up the farm
horse stock by mating carefully sc
lected. sound. suitable mares with
: sound. muscular, pure bred registered
stations. Continue year after year I.
use the best obtainable pure-bred male.
of the character and breed first chosen
: and never Out-cross to any other breed
, Do not use any stallion that IS IN
{ sound, unsuitable. partially impotent
; unlicensed or not registered IN A Stuc
! book recognized by the Department 0
> Agriculture, Washington, d. c.
Do not breed from any mare that /
/ deformed, sick, diseased. unsound. un
suitable. a poo mixer, or a eros
:. mother.
u Properly feed, shelter and care 70
I the pregnant and nursing mares ans
| from birth until ready for market
| nouriSh their offspring IN such a wa
| as to prevent stunning and insure pei
| feet development.
| Encourage the working Of pure-bre4
! stations sufficient TO keep ther
| healthy. muscular, prepotent and pr,
| vent pampering, weakness. partial IN
| potence and actual sterility and 5
| tend to insure vigor. strong constit,
I ton and health IN their offspring a
birth and throughout life
AS soon as possible stop workin
scrub horses on the farm and N the
place use grade horses Of good qualit
and character. we'll fed. properl
,groomed, furnished with attractiv,
I iI1lICiN hCpt ain iIeIlCd
modern implements. wagons and ca
riages.
Organize township and county ass
ciations for community breeding (
it. horses of the same blood, characte
and quality and TO more readily u
e tain pure-bred stations and mares an
ne insure a prof table market for surplu
horses.
a Encourage representative exhibits
es the county fairs. of pure-bred stallion
OF and mares and grade mares. gelding
ne farm teams. and young stock by puI
lie bred sires. Discourage the offering
m classes and premiums for grades an
mongrel or scrub stations or the
OF progeny.
re Boost for the betternent Of the nor.
breeding industry and do nothing
all retard its progress.