It is not size that confers strength, the largest horses being often soonest worn out. A clever step, an easy movement, and a good temper, arc qualities of the great est importance to a working horse; and the possession of them is of more avail than big bones, long legs, and a lumpy carcass. To feed well is also a property of great value ; and this property, as all judges know, de pends much upon the shape of the barrel, deepness of chest, strength of back, and size of the hips or hooks with which the animal is furnished. If straight in the back, and not over short, high in the ribs, and with hooks close and round, the animal is generally hardy, capable of undergoing a great deal of fatigue, without lessening his appetite, or impairing his working powers; whereas horses that are sharp pointed, flat ribbed, hollow backed, and wide set in the hooks, are usually bad feeders, and soon done up when put to hard work The moment that a horse loses appetite, he must suffer by hard labour; it is therefore a matter of serious consideration to breed only from the hardy and well-proportioned tribes; these being supported at the least expense, and capable of undergoing without injury, a degree of labour which would disable those of a different constitution.
The value of horses being now much more augment ed than that of other animals, it appears that greater en couragement is thereby offered for breeding the best sorts than was formerly the case, and that regular breed ing farms would be of benefit to the public, and advan tageous to those concerned in them. Hitherto, it has been usual to work breeding mares through the greatest part of the year, laying them aside only for a IN eck or two before foaling, and during the summer season, when giving suck to the young foal. In this way, the strength and vigour of the mother is not only weakened, but the size and powers of the foal stand a great chance of being diminished, by the exertions of the mother when kept at work. Under these impressions, we are led to consider the working of breeding mares as an unprofitable practice. Were they suffered to remain at ease, to roam upon coarse pastures, where shades were erected in which they might find shelter during incle ment weather, v. e arc almost certain that their progeny would enter upon action with increased abilities. The expense of a breeding mare kept in this way would not he great, while the advantages would be innumerable. But were the expense even greater than is incurred in the ordinary way, the superiority of the stock thus pro duced, would much more than compensate it A pound of horse-flesh is more than double the value of that of neat cattle and sheep; and being as easily reared and produced as the others, great encouragement is thus offered for carrying on the breeding trade as a separate establishment. It is highly inconvenient for corn far mers to want the use of any part of their working stock during the summer season; the plan, therefore, that we have recommended, seems well calculated to avoid every inconvenience of this nature, and to place the breeding trade upon a proper footing. In short, we are satisfied,
that unless some such plan is adopted, breeding can never succeed in the arable districts, though it is evi dently in the power of every farmer so situated to breed horses with the same facility as he breeds cattle and sheep, were the like measures resorted to.
Horses are generally put to work when fie years of age, though it is probable they might be Ivo•ked a year sooner, were the same attention paid to their keeping as is bestowed by the improved breeders 01 cattle and sheep. 'We arc not advocates for giving much grain to young horses, thinking it expensive, mid not so condu cive to their health as when they are supported on green food. In the winter and spring months, a few turnips are eminently beneficial to young horses, by keeping their blood in good order, swelling their bone, and has tening their growth. A plentiful supply of grass in summer ought always to be allowed, as their condition through the winter depends greatly upon that circum stance. It is an object deserving of attention, that flesh once gained ought never to be lost, but that every ani mal whatever should be kept in a progressive state of improvement, and not suffered to take a retrograde course, which afterwards must be made up by extra feeding, or a loss be sustained, in direct proportion to the degree of retrogradation that has actually occurred..
The diseases of horses are numerous, generally vio lent, soon reaching a crisis, and often mortal, unless ta ken at the beginning. The most fatal of these are dis orders provincially called bats, or colics, arising, in nine cases out of ten, from an accumulation of excrement in the intestines. The symptoms of this disorder scarcely require description ; cold dew at the ear-roots and flanks, frequent pointing to the seat of complaint, and a desire to lie down and roll; sudden rising, a great agi tation. To obtain a cure requires prompt and vigorous measures, and plenty of assistants to conduct them. A separate stable or out-house, well littered with straw, is necessary, so that the horse may have room to roll him self without injury. A man should attend the head, that it be not beat against the pavement or wall ; another to rub the belly at every quiet interval, which is a more effectual help than is generally imagined. Bleed in the neck veins, if possible ; and whilst medical remedies are preparing, walk the horse about, but do not, on any pre tence, drive him so fast as to harass hint. Back rake with a small hand, well oiled, and give the common gruel glyster of oil and salt; pour down by the mouth some gruel, mixed with a glass ur two of Geneva, and half an ounce of beat saltpetre ; keep the horse on his legs, if possible, and exercise him in a moderate manner. These remedies are generally successful, when applied in time, hut a few hours' delay is commonly fatal ; the poor ani mal generally falling a sacrifice to this dreadful and ex cruciating disorder.