length of the legs has nothing to do with the size of the body, as horses of fourteen hands high are very frequently much larger than those that are one or two hands higher. In the selection of a stallion, the first object to be attended to is, that he shall have no superfluous weight in his body. The head, too, is a very material point, as it is strongly indicative of the natural qualities of the animal, it being a very rare occurrence to meet with a bad horse with a light and well-formed head. In proof of this argument, it may generally be observed, that great fleshy-legged horses have coarse large heads with narrow foreheads, small eyes and nostrils, and in consequence of their soft and relaxed texture, are almost universally affected with swelled legs and greasy heels. On the contrary, a small light head, bold prominent eyes, and large open nostrils, generally accompanies strength of body and vigour of constitution. This kind of head is almost invariably peculiar to the Arabian horse, and to most others that are bred in hot climates. In crossing the breed, it has generally been supposed that opposite proportions in the horse and mare are necessary to produce good stock-thus, it is very common to put a long backed mare to a short backed stallion, and vice versa, in the expectation that the offspring will possess the happy medium between both. But such an expectation is almost always fallacious, and seldom answers the purpose intended. It is always a hazardous speculation to breed from an indifferent animal on either side, and it is certainly a more judicious employment of time and trouble, and more likely to be crowned with success, to breed from two animals originally perfect, than to propagate where one of them i radically defective. Still, breeders of every description of horses talk about large roomy mares, which in general are nothing but greatbellied and long-backed animals, with scarcely any quarters or legs. This capaciousness of belly is supposed to be essential to the production of large colts, but such an opinion ought not to be considered as absolute, for it frequently happens that these large roomy mares, as they are called, bring the smallest colts. The size of the foal is most probably dependant on secret and invisible causes, such as strength or weakness of constitution in the sire or dam. A propensity to particular diseases may be very reasonably concluded to be hereditary, especially in regard to blindness and broken wind; and it certainly is an injudicious course of breeding to propagate from horses that are labouring under those defects. In the choice of a stallion, the legs and feet are of the first importance, for however excellent the natural properties of his produce may be in respect to speed, wind, and constitution, yet the use of those qualifications will be but of short duration if the legs and feet are imperfect for consideration. The use of horses, even those of the most gentle dispositions, is always attended with some risk and danger, but where they are naturally vicious, of course that danger must be increased in a great degree. long list of excellent horses, remarkable for their power, both in make and constitution. Sir Peter Teazle was got by Highflyer, and has also given birth to a great number of capital horses, but they do not generally shew that high blood and that clean and vigorous form which are so evident in the Mercury breed. Meteor, one of this breed, was perhaps the strongest and most beauti All these considerations, however, are too frequently sacrificed to pedigree; hence, breeders very often attend more to name than to any visible properties. The preva-ful horse of his size that ever existed. lent custom of castrating so many horses in this country, leaves but very few stallions, and of course diminishes the number to chuse from, as well as the chance of a good selection, and how often is it a matter of regret when we see a remarkably fine and excellent gelding, that such an animal should-But this is a complete inversion of the orhave been deprived of the means of conti-der of nature, and the consequence is that the nuing his species. In breeding for the turf it is customary to arrange it so that the foals may be dropped in the winter, by which means an additional half-year is obtained in the age, as the time of calculating the age is always from the month of May. dams are seldom so well furnished with milk as they are at a period when the weather is warmer, and the grass in a growing state, and upon that account the foal is reared with more risk and difficulty, as the milk has not that purgative quality which is necessary to cleanse its intestines soon after it is dropped, whence an extreme costiveness sometimes ensues, which is often fatal to the In some parts of Germany the breeding of horses is deemed of such importance that the government provides stallions for the different districts. Such a system, when conducted and regulated by good judgment, must he highly beneficial, and it might very easily be carried into effect in this country by attaching to every regiment of cavalry one or more stallions of superior form and qua-young animal. lities, which should be stationed with the regiment wherever it might happen to be quartered, and which should cover a certain number of farmers' mares free of expence. The Scotch Greys adopted this plan some years ago, and with good effect. The most favourite stallions for the turf of late years have been Eclipse and Highflyer, and the preference has been given to each alternately, according to the prevailing opinion of the day. Mercury was got by Eclipse, and has been the progenitor of a Carrots, or any other succulent roots, constitute proper food for the mare, and assist considerably in the production of milk. Mares, especially those selected for breeding for the turf, continue to breed to a very advanced age; but it is a matter of some doubt, whether the produce is so strong and vigorous as those which are generated at an earlier age. Very old mares do not graze well on account of their teeth, and therefore require to be supported by artificial means, hence their natural resources for DUNGANN ON get by that artraordinary Horse Eclipse; He was a most certain Foal getter, has got three felts to a Lily, from deir uncommon strength. Symmetry, and Size, they |