Year: 1869

Owing to the neglect of the census
enumerators of the periods above we are
unable to give the value of the horses at
that time but we believe we are correct
in saying that they have more than
doubled in price, and that hundred
dollar horse il 1860 would bring above
$500 in this market now. 1t Is, how
ever, difficult for census enumeratOrs to
give the value of horses in any other
than a general way, as none other than
an expert in horsefesh is competent to
classify them in such way as to indi
cate their true worth. Ohio, Illinois,
Indiana, New York and Pennsylvania
took the lead as horse raising States,
and the probability is that they still
retain it. The next great breeding sec
tions are Missouri, Kentucky and Texas.
The war drew heavily on these States,
but having had four or five years to re-
cuperate there is no doubt that they
will show favorable amount Of in
crease. Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin
were also large breeding States, and are
vet so, their numbers having nearly
doubled since 1860 In the Southern
States, notwithstanding the devastations
of the rebellion, there are more horses
now than are required. There never
has been scarcity of ordinary horses,
Much of the best blood, however, was
captured during the war by the Union
troops, and by this means many of the
finest horses of the South found their
way into the Western and Middle States,
where they have been turned to most
profitable account in improving the Ordi-
nary local or sectional stock. The Pa
eifc States have also contributed their
share to the general aggregate, Califor
MIA having, in 1860, but l60,61 horses,
whereas now she numbers probably 300,
600. the effects of the war on breeding
not having reached that remote region.
Owing to the introduction of very fine
stations at an earl y period OF her his
tory, large proportion of the horses
bred in that State are very superior ami
mails. A great many horses were drawn
from the Eastern States at the com
mencement of the war, which was an ad
vantage to them, as by that means they
got rid of great deal Of worthless stock.
Since then they have been breeding a
better class of horses, and with so much
energy that it is believed the aggregate
number in those States far exceeds that
of 1860. The attention of breeders has
been turned particularly in the direction
of trotting stock, and by the introduction
of better bred stations than they had for
merly, they are now producing some
very fine horses, although there is still
room for great improvement, particularly
in the staying powers or endurance of
the speedy horse. In this connection,
in the breeding of trOtting horses, we
may here remark, that too much pains
cannot be taken in the selection of stall
lions. Great discrimination should be
used in the sized of the horse for it is
a well known physiological fact, which
should always be kept in view by breed
ers, that the small OF medium sized stall


lions invariably get the best prOportioned
stock. The produce of small or medium
sized stations are generally long legged
and deficient in that symmetry of form
which it is always desirable to see in the
animal under consideration. 1t must
be borne in mind that while the propel-
ling power of the horse is in his hind
quarters his lifting ability lies in his
fore parts, and that where there is more
weight in front than is necessary for the
purpose intended, it is a decided disad


vantage to the speedy horse. This is
the case with the Canadian and some
other coarse bred horses, who have so
much to lift that they tire before they
have gone any great distance. Every
unnecessary pound in front of the with
ers tells forcibly against progression.


Breeders of the running horse appear to


understand these facts batter than the


breeders of trotters. Breeding from the


thoroughbred horse is the very best


means Of eradicating the defects in the


trotting horse, when too heavy in front,


by tightening those parts which impede


his action. This form Of the blood horse


is one Of the reasons that has made the


Bashaws so successful throughout the
country in the hands Of breeders Of trot-
ters.


With the view Of further elueidatine