Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1925-03-19


The prodmctiom or race horses e
speciality. fascinating but expensive
\ A very few men can make it pay, but
liz il 8 gamble. Most race horses
trottins, pacing, or running -are bred
and raised by men who have indepen-
dent sources Of income, to whom 8 loss
Of $4,000 or $4,000 q year Is but an
incident. Such men, in the game for
the sport Of II. are able to spread their
losses over years when fortune smiles
on their race horses. Some break ey-
en- In the long run. but the majority
charge off losses to the fun they have
out Of it--which a farmer dependent
on bis farm cannot do.
A good saddle mare is an asset on
any good sized farm, for use with
stock, and for the good the children
win get out Of riding the mare and
her colts. Unless stallion suitable
10 sire riding horses is available in
the community q farmer IL estopped
from this side line. Where 3 good sire
is available colt every other year
win pay--f not In cash, at least in
benefit to growing children. Horse
manship rightly taught is a character
builder for boys and girls. The boy
who gains knowledge Of how to keep
horse fit. has learned how to keep
himself lit for life.
The foregoing review Of the pres
emit and probable future demand for
horses and mules but serves to en-
phasiEe that draft horses and mules
alone can be counted on to pay pro-
duction costs and some profit
Breeding should therefore be avoid
ed except by those farmers who have
foundation stock that can be counted
on to produce draft horses Of quality,
weight 1900 pounds and up, and
mules that have both size and quality.
Even with such foundation stock
available, care should be exercised to
keep no more mares than are needed
TO do the farm work; and colts reared
should be sufficient only for replace
ments--no more.
For IS years the writer has urged
the policy Of keeping teams staggered
in ages and holding production down
to actual needs. A 24O-acre farm 30
handled will have four pairs Of work
animals, 4, s and 8 years Of age
at least half Of which ara mares.
Enough mares viii be bred to rear q
pair Of colts each year. A pair Of
foals. yearlings and two-year-olds
represent the young stock under this
policy--and each fall a pair Of 6-yeaf-
Odds are sold because q pair Of 2-year-
olds, rising three, win be available to
take their place the following spring.
The men who have followed such a
general farm policy have made money
on their horses and mules. The ami
mails they have used have increased
IN value while at work-and have sold
before depreciation set in. Last but
not least, their stock has steadily inn
proved under good breeding and feed
ing.
The mAn who has poor horses and
mules--who never can get good prices
who 10 always cussing the horse
business-is the man who ought 20
stay out Of the game. The best thing
he can do for horse and mule breeding
Is to leave It alone.
Horse and mule production Is but
an incident to farming. When so
considered, held 60 proper limits, with
strict regard to future demand, It viii
return q fair sum each year made up
Of accrued Investment and moderate
profit. A pair Of horses or mules,
sold for $4,000, may represent $3.50
Of stored up feed, shelter and labor
costs, plus a $50 profit; but they have
done effective work for three or four
seasons and the total cash they bring
in Is none the less welcome beeause
part Of Il does represent accrued in
yestment Breeding for 1926 should
be undertaken with full knowledge Of
all such factors governing present and
future supply and demand.
This article was prepared by Horse
Association Of America, Wayne Dins-
more. secretary, Union Stock Yards,
Chicago, Illinois.