New-York tribune., 1918-09-22
Says Importation
Ofhoroughbreds
Does Not Pay
Acclimatization the Big Oh
stacle, According to DR..
M. M. Leach

In commenting on the showing made
dis season and last by imported horses
Or. NJ. NJ. Leach, of Lexington, KY,
who is an authority on the horse Of
blood and has seen him in nearly every
country on the globe, had the follow
,ng to say on administration during
recent visit to New York:
"Despite the performances of such
rood horses as Hourless, Star Hawk.
Omar Khayyam. Sun Briar and Johren,
am of the opinion that he importa-
ton Of thoroughbreds for racing tests
as now carried on does not pay, though
from a breeders standpoint the evi-
dence of turf history is proof that the
numerous importations of the past
few seasons will. beyond question, be
ot material assistance in improving the
standard OF excellence of future gem
erations OF American bred blood stock.
"The importation of horses destined
tor racing purposes cannot be made to
pay unless certain set rules are fol-
lowed The bugbear Of acclimatization
stands ever ready to foil the best laid
plans.
Two Years Must Elapse
q.
charge OF some thirty head of horses,
knew little of the process OF acclimat;-
cation. Our horses on arrival in Mel
bourne were taken to the farm and
ouarantined for period of one month.
az required by Australian law.
thought that after short period of
rest the horses could be put into ac-
tive training. | was more than as
tonished to learn that the owners
had no intention OF again placing the
horses in training for long time l
was told that two years must elapse
before these horses became thorough
ly acclimatized. After sojourn Of
nearly two years in the antipodes I
found. that even longer period was
necessary for complete acclimatiza-
ton.
"The horses | took down after GER
tain length of time seemed to be go
ing through some process of change.
They became sleepy and q general las
situde prevailed Their legs filed. They
lost muscle ever the back and loins.
Their coats were staring, and all this
for no assignable cause, so far as |
could see, except the process of accli-
matization. The change, of course, is
not so marked when coming from Eu-
rope to this country. We are still in
the Northern Hem sphere and the sea-
sons are practically the same. Aus
tralian winter is our summer and vice
versa.
Horses shipped South in November
find themselves burdened by wthter's
coat in broilng midsummer. The win
ter's coat slips rapidly, it is true. A
mahogany bay will shed out cherry
yellow. OF course. the normal color
ing will return after the animal is
thoroughly acclimati7n
"This process of change is the rea-
son why the importation of horses in
tended for racing does not pay Some
horses, it is true. acclmatize more
readily than others. but there is no
guide, and some of those sent to Aus.
trala never acclimatize at all. The
late Major Daingerfeld. than whom.
there was no closer student of all
things that pertain to blood stock, al
ways maintained that five years must
eapse before new arrival regained
It's normal status, and he had a wide
experlerce with m-o't d
ing had charge of the Castleton Farm
with its imported Mares"
Process of Acclimatization
Upon be ng asked to define the proc
ess of acclimatization. DR.. Leach said
u take it to be an attempt on the part
VI Ho Nule W SO TedITdnSc pnySlOlOglcal
conditions that the body may be en-
abled to put forth it's best efforts un-
der changed atmospherical conditions
Lung tissue must become accustomed
and able to take care of air delivered
at a different pressure than formerly
The lungs must go to school again, as
it were, and learn to accommodate
themselves to circumstances, and this
requires time.
in talking this way" said the doc
tor in conclusion, II do not mean to
discourage American breeders and
sportsmen from a continuance of the
good work Of importation, but rather
to ask of them that they exercise pa
tience and import very young stock
weanlinsg and yearlngs and mares
carrying foals.
Garry on the good work of impor-
tation. Expect little or nothing in
racing way of those of more mature
age until at least one years residence
in the land of their adoption. The
quickest way in WHICH the desired re-
suit may be brought about is twelve
months run at pasture. If this plan
be adopted the importation of blood
stock for racing purposes can be made
70 pay, and pay handsomely"