® v4 a n 7 ss ‘ i ~~ 7 i _ te =) Langton Performer 242 (4844). A famous Hackney sire. Owned by F. C. Stevens of New York. From a photograph of a painting TYPES AND BREEDS OF FARM ANIMALS BY CREAR LES 5S. PEUMB PROFESSOR OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY IN THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE OF THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY “oe —— GINN & COMPANY BOSTON - NEW YORK - CHICAGO - LONDON LIBRARY of CONGRESS Two Copies Received DEC 24 1906 Copyright Entry ENTERED AT STATIONERS’ HALL CopyRIGHT, 1906 By CHARLES S. PLUMB ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 66.11 The Atheneum Press pet ee heath A eh Ne had) GINN & COMPANY. PRO- PRIETORS + BOSTON - U.S.A. FOREWORD The need for such a volume as this will no doubt be best expressed by a demand for it on the part of live-stock students. The author, however, desires to call attention to the fact that not since 1888 has a volume devoted to the breeds of horses, cattle, sheep, and swine been published in America. The most recent work devoted to the breeds entirely omitted a considera- . tion of the horse. Further than this but very few books have thus far been published in the English language that have been strictly breed studies. This book differs somewhat from others that have preceded it. A number of breeds have received recognition for the first time, these being the ass, the mule, the angora and milch goats, — all animals of importance in certain localities. The more important or better known breeds have received more detailed considera- tion than those which may be regarded as the lesser known, and have been so ranked in the make-up of the book. In numerous instances much new historical information has been gathered. During the past twenty years a great amount of evidence bear- ing on breed merit has been secured at the agricultural experi- ment stations, at expositions, on race courses, and at fair grounds. In the breed reviews in this work much of this recent evidence is given a place. Brief consideration is also given to some of the more important foundation families or tribes, and to individual animals that have made a deep impression upon the breed. The author has taken the liberty of commenting on the weak as well as on the strong points of the breeds, but this has been done ina nonpartisan spirit, in harmony with the views of capable critics. In the preparation of this volume a wide range of breed liter- ature has been consulted. Following the breed discussion of each group is given a list of reference works to which the author is indebted for helpful information. Some of these are vii vill FOREWORD prefixed by an asterisk (*), as especially worthy the attention of the student. Numerous pamphlets, the stud, herd, and flock books of many breeding associations, and the documents of the United States Department of Agriculture and of various experi- ment stations have contributed materially to this work. Special recognition is here given of the great amount of important in- formation regarding the breeds, published in the volumes of such valuable journals as the Aveeders’ Gazette, the old National Live Stock Journal, the Live Stock Journal (England), the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, the Journal of the Highland and the Agricultural Society of Scotland, as well as numerous other excellent live-stock and agricultural periodicals published in America and elsewhere. All these have contrib- uted materially to such value as this book may possess. Much of the material in this volume has been submitted in manuscript or proof to the frank criticism of many eminent breeders, that justice might be rendered each breed. While many of the illustrations are from photographs taken by the author at home and abroad, not a few are contributed by generous breeders and friends, for which credit is given elsewhere. The author is especially grateful to his associate, Dr. Carl W. Gay, for helpful suggestions and assistance. These brief studies of the types and breeds of farm animals are naturally far from complete. They are intended for the stu- dent or the stockman who sees the long road of education before him. The subject-matter is arranged with some regard to system- atic grouping, with the hope that it may in a measure meet the requirements of the class room, the teacher, and the practical stockman on the farm. CHARLES S. PLUMB Onto STATE UNIVERSITY COLUMBUS, OHIO CHAPTER I. ET. ERT. IV. " Nes 4 a Mit. MULE, IX. X. XI. 958 XIII. XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX. XXI. XXII. XXIII. XXIV. XXV. XXV-I. XXVII. XXVIII. XXX. XXX, XXXI. XXXII. XXXIII. XXXIV. XXXV. XXXVI. XXXVII. The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The CONTEN FS Prehistoric Horse Arab Horse Thoroughbred . American Saddle Horse Roadster Type American Trotter Pacer : Orloff Trotter Coach or Carriage Horse Pepe Hackney French Coach . German Coach Cleveland Bay Draft Type . Percheron French Draft Clydesdale Shire Belgian Suffolk . Ponies Shetland Pony. The The Ass . Mule Beef Type of Cattle The The The The The G The The Shorthorn Polled Durham Hereford 5 ; Aberdeen Angus Galloway Sussex West Hithland Dairy Type of Cattle The The The The Jersey Holstein- Friesian Guernsey Ayrshire . Xx CHAPTER XXXVITI. XXXIX. XL. AL. SLIT. >. GF Die XELV- mL. MLV. SE VL XLVIII. XLIX. 1 I | Eales ITI: ELV LV. LVI. LY LL. LVILI: LIX. LX. 1.468 LXII, Ibe GUE LXIV. LXV. LXVI. LXVII. LXVIII. LXIX. LXX. LXXI. Ex XE LXXIII. LXXIV. LXXV. LXXVI. LXXVII. LXXVIII. INDEX CONTENTS The Dutch Belted The French Canadian The Kerry : z Dual-Purpose Type of Cattle . The Red Polled . The Devon The Brown Swiss The Merino or Fine-Wool Type oe Sheep The American Merino : The Delaine Merino The Rambouillet . The Mutton Type of Sheep The Southdown The Shropshire The Oxford Down The Hampshire Down The Dorset Horn The Cheviot F The Suffolk Down The Tunis The Leicester The Cotswold . The Lincoln The Kent or Romney Marsh ; The Black Faced Highland The Angora Goat The Milch Goat . The American Type of Pig The Berkshire The Poland-China The Chester White The Duroc-Jersey The Cheshire The Victoria The Essex E The Small Yorkshire The Suffolk : The Bacon Type of Pig The Large Yorkshire or Large W hite The Tamworth 3 The Thin Rind or Hampshire Pace 296 . 300 cS - ey. Be | - B19 326 . Ooo 339 - Boz 306 - 375 378 . 387 395 . 402 408 Ans 421 425 429 - 437 443 . 450 452 - 455 460 . 467 472 . 484 497 - 505 514 hrs 521 - 525 53? - 532 536 - 545 55% - 555 TYPES AND BREEDS OF FARM ANIMALS nw Poet J—THE HORSE, Ass, AND MULE CHAPTER? I THE PREHISTORIC HORSE The existence of the prehistoric horse, in the light of compara- tively recent investigations, has become thoroughly well known and comprehended by scientific men. The discoveries of the Whitney expedition, under the direction of the American Mu- seum of Natural History of New York, have provided a wealth of most valuable material in this field.} The first discovery of the prehistoric horse in America was made by Mitchell in 1826 near the Navesink Highlands in New Jersey, and caused great discussion. About 1850 Dr. Leidy made similar discoveries in Nebraska. Following these came further finds, until late in the nineteenth century the wide dis- tribution of this early horse in North and South America was well understood. Geographically speaking, these remains have been found all over the Southern States, in the Northeastern and Middle States, in California and Oregon, and in greatest abundance in the so-called Bad Lands of Nebraska, Wyoming, and South Dakota. 1 The author's discussion of this subject is based on the published researches of the American Museum of Natural History, and especially the writings of Professor H. F. Osborn of Columbia University and Dr. W. D. Matthew of the American Museum. The Century Magazine, November, 1904, has a valuable con- tribution on this subject by Professor Osborn. I 2 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE The world-wide distribution of the horse in prehistoric times is now well understood. Besides the references to discoveries in North America, fossil remains have been found in Patagonia, South America, and in earth and sand deposits in various parts of Europe which existed previous to the Glacial period. In 1goI most interesting discoveries were made of drawings of horses in the cave of La Mouthe, France, which it is believed date back to the Stone Age. These drawings were partly cut in rock and Fic. 1. Skeleton of prehistoric horse from Lower Pleistocene of Texas, in American Museum of Natural History. Reproduced by c urtesy of the American Museum partly made in ocher, and represented animals associated with the chase. These cave drawings are very clear, and show a horse with no forelock and a head with Roman-nose character, also one with a head similar to that of the Celt pony. From the evi- dence left in the caves of France it is thought a larger type of horse lived toward the south, while farther north a smaller form existed. It is also fairly well established that the ass was known in Europe at this period. The evolution of the horse from the prehistoric to present form covers geological ages of time and represents a passing of THE PREHISTORIC HORSE 2 perhaps three million years. Careful investigation and dis- coveries show that animals of the horse class existed in the Lower Eocene period and gradually passed upward through twelve stages of development in the course of geological time, becoming more and more developed toward the present-day type as the geological periods became more and more recent. These various forms properly grouped may be briefly described as follows: 1. Hyracotherium. Existed in Lower Eocene period. Only the skull has been found. The teeth display six rounded knobs or cusps on upper molars and four on lower. Found only in London Clay, England. 2. Eohippus. From Lower Eocene period. Teeth vary some from above. Fore foot has four complete toes and splint of a fifth. Hind foot has three toes and splint. Found in Wyoming and New Mexico. Were about size of fox terrier, and known as “dawn horses.’ 3 and 4. Protorohippus and Orohippus. From Middle Eocene period. In these animals the splints have disappeared, leaving the complete toes, as in Eohippus. The crests on the molars are more apparent, and the last premolar has become almost like the molars. This type was about the size of a small dog, perhaps fourteen inches high. The Protorohippus was discovered in 1880 in Wyoming. 5. Epihippus. From Upper Eocene period. Only incomplete specimens have been found. The teeth have gone through changes with more crescents and crests, with another premolar tooth becoming like the molars. There are four toes in front and three behind, but the central toe in each is larger and stronger and more important than the side toes. 6 and 7. Mesohip~pus. From Oligocene period. There are three toes on each foot and a splint representing the fifth toe of the fore foot. The middle toe is now much larger than it was in the preceding, the ‘side toes bearing but little weight of the body. Three of the premolars have also become like full molars. In the Middle Oligocene is found one species about the size of a coyote, or eighteen inches high, while in the Upper Oligocene is another species as large as a sheep. 4 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE 8. Anchitherium. From Lower Miocene period. Is much like Mesohippus, but is larger and has the crests of the teeth some- what higher and more complete. This form may not be in direct line of descent, but may be a side branch. Found in both Europe and America. 9. Parahippus and Hypohippus. From Middle Miocene period. The tooth crests in Parahippus are much higher, the upper molars are changing in form, and a second pair of crescents is formed. Hypohippus is off the direct line of descent. A complete skeleton of this form, now in the American Museum, was discovered in 1901 in Colorado. This species attained the size of a Shetland pony. The fore foot has small rudiments of the first and fifth toes, but there is no splint of the fifth, as in Mesohippus. The second and fourth toes lightly touch the ground. It has been called the ‘forest horse,”’ and is supposed to have lived on lowlands and in forests. 10. Protohippus. From Middle and Upper Miocene period. 11. Phohippus. From Middle and Upper Miocene period. In this stage the crowns of the upper molars have become much longer, the two pairs of crescents on the upper molars are complete, with two half-separated cusps within the inner pair. The valleys between the crests have become filled with cement, so that with the wear of the teeth the edges of hard enamel are backed inside by dentine and outside by cement. Thus the tooth surface has a series of enamel ridges always projecting somewhat above the grinding surface, because the softer material on each side wears down into hollows, yet never breaks off. This makes an efficient medium for grinding grass. In these two forms of horse, notably Protohippus, the crowns of the teeth are not as long as in the modern horse. The feet in these two have but one toe touching the ground. The side toes are complete, but are more slender than in the earlier stages and are apparently useless. In some species of Pliohippus they have almost disappeared. Horses at this period were about forty inches, or ten hands, high. Hipparion. From Pliocene period. This is similar to Proto- hippus, but with larger and more complicated tooth patterns. In this period some horses have three toes and others one. 12. Lguus. From Pleistocene period and Recent. This is the stage of the modern horse. The side toes are gone but are THE PREHISTORIC HORSE 5 represented by splints on fore and hind foot. On the fore foot no trace remains of the little nodules which in Protohippus rep- resented the first and fifth toes. The crowns of the teeth are much longer and the teeth have changed otherwise. The skull has lengthened and the horse is much larger. Tracing the development of this prehistoric horse, we find that the animal gradually increases in height, the number of toes reduces to one on each foot, while the teeth increase in length Hind Foot “i One Toe Splints of 2nd and 4th digits One Toe Splints of 2nd and 4th digits Three! Toes l Side toes Cement- covered ME Three Toes Side toes not touching the ground not touching the ground Three Toes Side toes touching the Three Toes ee Side toes Splint of Sth digit touching the Short- ground M4 i) Crowned, ; Four Toes ath Protorohippus ee Sy Four Toes Three Toes Hyracotherium ih Splint of Splint of WY @ (Eohippus) Ist digit 5th digit 7 Fic. 2. Comparative drawings of skulls, feet, and teeth of prehistoric horse, showing evolutionary development. Reproduced by permission from Guide Leaflet No. 9, American Museum of Natural History and crown development. The tooth of the modern horse may be an efficient grinder for twenty-five or thirty years, while that of the prehistoric one, from shortness of crown and lack of enamel and dentine, perhaps would not serve over ten or twelve years. The color of the prehistoric horse is not known, but it is sup- posed to have been more or less striped, like the zebra, though not brilliantly colored. The groundwork of this color was pre- sumably dun or khaki. 6 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE The first association of man with the prehistoric horse so far as discovered existed in the Paleolithic or Stone Implement Age. It is assumed that man first hunted horses for food, then drove them, and finally used them for riding and then as beasts of burden. The bones of human beings have been found in connec- tion with prehistoric horse remains in South America, but not in North America. In Europe man and the prehistoric horse were without doubt associated. The connecting link between the prehistoric horse and the horse of modern times is assumed to be the present form of the zebra, Fic. 3. Restoration of the four-toed horse. Photograph from original water color by C. R. Knight, based on mounted skeleton sixteen inches high, in American Museum of Natural History the wild ass of Asia and Africa, and Przewalskii’s horse. The latter was discovered by Poliakoff in 1881 on the desert of Zungaria in western Mongolia in Asia. It has been assumed that this type of wild pony, standing forty inches high, is quite similar to the horse as known by prehistoric man thirty thousand years ago. The European cave drawings show a strong resem- blance to the Przewalskii horse, and it is probable that from such an ancestry has come the Norwegian, Irish, and other ponies of northern Europe, and the wild horse of Mongolia and China. Cie, bes Ed THE ARAB HORSE The influence of the Arab horse upon the improvement of the present-day breeds is well recognized among students. As early as the reign of King James I of England (1603-1625) Arab horses were introduced into that country and crossed with light horse stock. Between 1700 and 1800 many Oriental horses found their way to England, and these had a most important influence in improving the Thoroughbred. The so-called ‘ Royal Mares”’ imported by Charles II (1660-1685) became foundation stock in the best of British light horse blood, their descendants reaching great distinc- tion. From the Darley Arabian imported in 1706 is descended the best of Hackney blood to-day. According to Joseph Os- borne, since the time of James I one hundred and Fic. 4. Shahwan, an Arab stallion bred by Ali Pacha Sherif, of Egypt. Used in stud by sixty-four Oriental sires W.S. Blunt, Esq., England. Imported in 1895 of known record have by J. A. P. Ramsdell, Newburg, N.Y. Photo- graph from Mr. Ramsdell been taken to England and used in service. This list includes ninety Arabs, thirty-six Barbs, thirty-two’ Turks, four Persians, and two horses of un- known ancestry. Arab horses have also been used for centuries in improving the horses of continental Europe, even up to the draft type. Much of the quality produced in the early Percheron 8 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE came from the Arab, while the French have set a high value on this horse in producing half-breds and improving coach horses. In 1522 the Turks invaded Hungary five hundred thousand strong, which number, so history informs us, included three hundred thousand horsemen. With the defeat of the Moham- medans they were driven from the country, but they left large numbers of Arabian horses behind. From that time Arab horse blood has been in use in the stables of Hungary, and a Bedouin of the desert, thoroughly familiar with the breed, is attached to the Hungarian army as master of horse, his duty being to select the best Arabian horses for the royal studs. These studs were established in 1785 and have since been maintained. In addi- tion to the royal studs, there are some one hundred and fifty private studs in which are to be found five thousand Arab mares of purest blood. Russia and Germany have also used the Arabian in the stud. It is said that no less than two hundred Arab stallions belonging to the French government were at the free service of owners of mares in Algiers in Africa in 1895, this being a French colony. The native home of the Arab horse is Arabia, a vast country some fifteen hundred miles long and from five hundred to one thou- sand miles wide, lying east of the Red Sea, with its northern extremity not far from the east end of the Mediterranean. The Arab horse, however, is found in great numbers in Turkey, Persia, and parts of northern Africa, notably the Sahara region. The origin of the pure Arabian has been the cause of much discussion in print. Major Upton and Lady Anne Blunt, how- ever, have given the most definite and satisfactory information on this subject. These persons made special trips to Arabia, where careful studies were made of the horse of the people, concerning which we learn much in their writings.1- Major Upton lived among the Bedouins for months and spoke their language. The best Arabian horses are found in the desert region, among the migratory Bedouin tribes, of which there are several groups. The most powerful of these are the Shammar race of 1 Gleanings from the Desert of Arabia, by Roger D. Upton, London, 1881; The Bedouin Tribes of the Euphrates, by Lady Anne Blunt, 2 vols., London, 1879; A Pilgrimage to Nejd, by Lady Anne Blunt, 2 vols., London, 1881. THE ARAB HORSE 9 Mesopotamia in the north and to the east of the Euphrates, visited by the Blunts, and the Anezah in the south, studied by Major Upton. The latter race have the best horses, a fact generally recognized by Bedouins. The Arabs are descendants of Ishmael, who, according to tra- dition, inherited a valuable horse of the Kuhl race. The Anezah tribe descended in a direct line from Ishmael, through Sheik Salaman, who lived about 1635 B.c. (four generations removed from Ishmael), and who owned five famous mares. From this ancestry has come the purest and best Arab horse blood. This race was in existence many centuries before the time of Mohammed. The Arabian words ‘‘ keheilan ’’ and ‘ keheilet ’’ have a special application to the horse. These words are derived from the word «kuhl,” which means antimony, material with which Arab women blacken their eyebrows and eyelashes. Upton claims to have discovered that the entire race of pure-bred horses among the Anezah had black skins irrespective of color of hair. This accounts for the use of the words “ keheilan”’ and “ keheilet,’’ the former meaning a male and the latter a female of pure blood whose lineage can be traced without a break to the five mares of Salaman. The Anezah Bedouin declines to recognize any animal as keheilan or keheilet, the pedigree of which does not go back to the five mares in question, the five being designated as Al Khamseh. Five great families of Arabian horses descended from founda- tion stock tracing to the five mares Al Khamseh are as follows: 1. The descendants of Kehezlet Ajuz. 2. The Maneght, with three sub-families. 3. The Hadban, with five sub-families. . The Je/fon, with two sub-families. . The Homdant, with two sub-families. From the first-named family comes the most distinguished Arab blood. The word “ajuz’”’ means old woman. This family descends from a mare that dropped a filly colt when on a long and hard journey, her owner being hard pressed by an enemy. The colt was left where foaled, and the owner of the mare after much difficulty reached his own people. To the surprise of the wn Bf 10 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE camp the young filly came in also a few hours after, having fol- lowed her dam. The story goes that she was given into the care of one of the old women of the tribe, whence came her name, Keheilet Ajuz (‘the mare of the old woman”’), that she lived to become the most famous mare ever seen on the desert, and from her are descended the choicest of pure Arabian horses. It is claimed that nineteen families descend from her, five through mares and fourteen through stallions. Some even believe that eight other families also should be credited as her descendants. The families of Arabian horses descended from Keheilet Ajuz that are recognized as of superlative merit, are the following : (1) Seglaw?, comprising the three sub-families, the Seglawi Jedraain, Seglawi Obeiri, and Seglawi Al-Abd. This is one of the choicest families. (2) Abeyan. There are seven sub-families. This family received its name from a high carriage of tail. (3) Dalman. There are four sub-families. (4) Abu Arkab. There are three sub-families. The following families are also regarded by some as descend- ants of Keheilet Ajuz: (5) Rzshon,; (6) Radban,; (7) Twatssan, (8) Milhah, with sub-families in each case. The history of the Arab horse in America is not very exten- sive, though dating back many years. No doubt many horses called Arabian were not of that breed, but were of Oriental ancestry. About 1765 an Arab stallion named Ranger was imported to New London, Connecticut. A half-bred, gray son of Ranger was used by General Washington during the Revolu- tionary War. Ranger was later taken to Virginia, where he became known as the Lindsay Arabian. The first volume of Bruce’s American Studbook contains a list of forty-two Arab stallions imported into the United States between 1760 and 1860, besides twelve Arab mares, four Barb stallions and two Barb mares. There were some famous animals imported years ago. Honorable A. Keene Richards of Kentucky made two journeys to Arabia with Troye, the animal painter. They visited among the Anezah and brought back to America some splendid Arabian horses, the blood of which occupies a place of prominence in THE ARAB HORSE II the Gold Dust family of trotters. The Arab horses Maanake Hedgrogi and Liklany Gidran were sent as a gift to Wm. H. Seward, Umbark to President Martin Van Buren, and Linden Tree and Leopard to General U.S. Grant. In 1838 a large con- signment of both stallions and mares was brought to the United States by Commodore J. D. Elliott of the United States Navy. Fic. 5. Cunningham, an Arab stallion owned by Sir Walter Gilbey, Bart., England. A winner of races in Egypt and England. From photograph from Sir Walter Gilbey, Bart. Important studs of Arab horses in England and America during recent years are worthy of mention. In England Major Upton until his death maintained a pure Arab stud, as also did Henry Chaplin, Minister of Agriculture. Both of these studs were sold. Sir Wilfred Blunt and his wife, Lady Anne Blunt, brought to England from Arabia some eighteen pure Arab mares and two stallions. Besides these Rev. F. F. Vidal and Miss Ethelred Dillon also have studs in England. In the United States 12 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE <= Randolph Huntington of Long Island, New York, Peter Hey] of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and J. A. P. Ramsdell of Newburg, New York, have maintained notable Arab studs in recent years. A few notable Arab horses of pure breeding that have become famous are the stallions Kismet, E] Emir, Maidan, Kouch, Kars, Shahwan, Cunningham, and Himyarite. The mares Haidee, Keziah, Naomi, and Nazli are among the most important modern females of the breed. The characteristics of the Arab horse. The ead represents very superior character and intelligence, the forehead being broad and prominent, and the head tapering toward the nose more than with other breeds. The nostrils are prominent, the eyes fairly so, the ears delicate and pointing inward, and the general head expression lean and representing high spirit. The neck is of medium length and sustains the head most gracefully. Captain Hayes states that the shoulders of the Arab slope well, though from the saddle point of view they are often too thick, while the withers incline to be rather low and broad. The dody is fairly short, and is usually deeply ribbed ; the back is well sustained, and the loins are broad and muscular. The cvowp tends to be high, sometimes making specimens of the breed appear higher here than at the withers. The ¢az/ sets high and is carried with style. The guarters are long and deep, but the gaskins and hocks hardly equal those of the Thoroughbred. The /egs and feet are very superior. For his size the strength of the Arabian horse is remarkable, this being due in part to large development of muscle of loin and arm, whereby he becomes a superior bur- den carrier. The Arab has a great constitution and extraordi- nary staying power. He is not noted so much for speed as for endurance, as he is not nearly the equal of the Thoroughbred or American trotter for rapid speed. Yet the Arab will perform long journeys across country with comparative ease, such as require great staying power. In height the Arab ranges from 14 to 14} hands, so that he stands at the boundary line between pony and horse. Many of the most famous Arabs brought to England were ponies. Esa bin Curtis, a large importer of Arabs to Bombay, is credited with the statement that the best Arabs did not, as a rule, exceed 14 hands 1} inches to 14} hands high. THE ARAB HORSE ‘3 In color there is some variation, for there are bays, whites, grays, chestnuts, and blacks, the latter being least common of all. The value of the Arab in cross breeding is preeminent. Wher- ever used he has transmitted constitution, quality, intelligence, and style ina marked degree. His value to horse stock in the past has been incalculable. Not only this, but European governments, even of to-day, recognize the value of an Arabian cross to instill the qualities above referred to into depleted stock. As an example of this crossing, in 1899 it is stated that the French government mated sixty Thoroughbred mares with pure Arabian stallions at the national stud at Pompadour. The object was to obtain Anglo-Arab stallions for service in the government studs. These cross-bred stallions are usually placed in low, soft districts, where the horses are coarse and of inferior bone. The progeny from such stallions have more refinement and quality than those obtained by other matings. At the present time one important use for Arab sires is breeding to Welsh, New Forest, Exmoor, or similar ponies to produce cross-breds for polo playing. The registration of Arab horses is provided for in the American Studbook, and in the General Studbook of Great Britain. There is no special organization for the promotion of this breed. CHAE ithe ut THE THOROUGHBRED The history of the Thoroughbred is so closely associated with the improvement of the modern horse that much consideration should be given it. The horse in England prior to Queen Elizabeth’s reign was mainly of the draft type, coarse and strong. We know little of his general merits. He was used in war for chariots and as a saddle horse. The early Romans brought horses to England in the fifth century, and so did the succeeding Normans and others. Early in the thirteenth century King John imported one hundred stallions from Flanders. Edward III, during the four- teenth century, brought to England, it is stated, over fifty Spanish horses at a cost of over eight hundred dollars each. Henry VIII maintained a royal stud, had laws enacted regarding horse breed- ing, and imported from Turkey, Spain, and Naples. Yet during all these years the prevailing horses were burden bearers with the exception of a few of greater speed, known as running horses. The use of heavy armor in the army had justified breeding a horse of this type. Systematic horse racing in England was first introduced by James I. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth (1558-1603) the use of armor grew to be unpopular, though the use of horses changed but little. James I, succeeding Elizabeth, was not war- like in temperament, and the use of armor passed away during his reign. Not only this, but James established the race course, gave attention to horse breeding, and imported from the Orient. He established a code of regulations from which the modern race course has derived its foundation. James imported an Arabian stallion from the Orient through an English merchant named Markham, for which he paid five hundred pounds. This horse was much ridiculed and had no special importance in improving "4 THE THOROUGHBRED 15 racing stock. Charles I (1625-1649), the son of James I, estab- lished racing at Newmarket and Hyde Park, while his son, Charles II, whom British authors credit with first creating the Thoroughbred, brought many horses from the Orient and was a great promoter of the race course. Two Barb mares which Charles II imported took very high rank among the brood mares of England and were named the “ Royal Mares.” From the time of James I up to the present day each British ruler has patronized the race course and has promoted horse breeding. Since the time of this monarch about one hundred and seventy-six Eastern sires have been imported into England. From this desire for the running horse and the race has been developed the Thoroughbred, which for a hundred years or more has been bred with reasonable purity. Three foreign horses introduced into England during the for- mation period of the Thoroughbred exercised an important influence worthy of special mention. These were the following : 1. The Godolphin Barb, also known as the Godolphin Arabian, was probably foaled in Barbary about 1724. Later he found his way to France, and fora time was used to haul a water cart. About 1728 he was taken to England and presented to Lord Godolphin. He was used in the stud with great success. His blood contrib- uted in a most important degree to founding the Thoroughbred. 2. The Byerly Turk, the saddle horse of Captain Byerly, used later in the seventeenth century in the wars of William in Ire- land, was probably brought to England in 1689. He was very famous as a sire and horses descended from him are known as Byerly Turk horses. 3. The Darley Arabian, supposed to be a pure Arabian, was bought at Aleppo, Syria, by a Mr. Darley. He was brought to England in 1706, late in Queen Anne’s reign, as a gift to Mr. John B. Darley, of Aldby Park, near York. He was bay in color with blaze on face and white on three feet, and stood about 15 hands high. To this horse can be traced the choicest Thoroughbred blood. These three Oriental horses preceded the development of the Thoroughbred, yet their blood hada potent fundamental influence in establishing the breed which followed. 16 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE Three English-bred horses of great prepotency, important in founding the Thoroughbred, stand out as really great ancestors of the modern speed horse. They are the following : 1. Herod (King Herod). This horse was born in 1758 and was bred by the Duke of Cumberland, a brother of George II. He was used on the race course for a time and was then retired to the stud. Heis said to have sired 497 prize winners on various race courses, and it is estimated that they won for their owners £201,505, or over one million dollars. Herod was a direct descendant of the Byerly Turk. 2. Matchem. One of the important sons of the Godolphin Barb was named Cade. He proved to be an indifferent race horse, but a great breeder, due to his superior blood and con- formation. Matchem, his best-known son, became a great racer as well as a prominent sire. It is stated that he made a record on the Beacon course at the rate of a mile in 1.44. He also became well known for the excellence of his progeny in speed quality, for he sired 354 sons and daughters that were winners of races. Matchem was born in 1748 and died in 1781. 3. Eclipse. The Darley Arabian was the sire of two great horses in their day, notably Flying Childers, also known as The Devonshire, and Bartlett’s Childers. The former was a chestnut horse with four white feet, and was the fastest horse on the English turf up to his time. Bartlett’s Childers was never trained to race, but was used in the stud instead. A grandson of his, named Marske, bred to the mare Spiletta, was the sire of Eclipse, foaled in 1764 during a great eclipse from which he takes his name. From two points of view this horse may be regarded as perhaps the greatest in history, one as a racer the other as a progenitor of racers. He was bred by the Duke of Cumber- land, and at the sale of his stud brought 75 guineas. He was five years old before going on the turf, running first at Epsom. In his second race, at York, he distanced his com- petitors. In 1769 Dennis O’Kelly bought him for 1650 guineas ($8250). As a racer he distanced some of the best horses of his time. Finally, as no one would race against him, he closed his racing career of seventeen months by walking over the Newmarket race course for the King’s Plate in October, 1770. THE THOROUGHBRED 17 In 1779 O’Kelly was asked by one of the Bedford family for his price on Eclipse, and he replied that “all Bedford Level would not purchase him.’’ From another person he asked $125,000 and an annuity of $2500 for life. Eclipse won eleven King’s Plates and O’ Kelly cleared £25,000 on him. In historical descriptions of this horse he is said to have been about 15} hands high; his shoulders were very low and oblique and thick above, while he stood high behind. He had a great loin, very long quarters, and powerful and long thighs and fore arms, and his stride was very wide. He was so thick-winded that he could be heard some distance. He was of fine disposition, and in a race he took his own gait, rushing along with his head down, indifferent to his jockeys, who found it impossible to hold him in. Eclipse sired 334 winners of races. He died in 1789, aged twenty-five years. This horse was a direct descendant of the Darley Arabian, and the very best of British and American racing-horse blood traces its course from these two great sires. Of these three English-bred stallions Eclipse as a breeder was most important, at least in the male line of descent, while Matchem was least so. The influence of both the Oriental and English sires on the creation of the Thoroughbred as a breed has been very profound, but without doubt numerous females have had an important part. However, much less is known of the personality and breeding of the mares than of the sires. C. Bruce Lowe, in an elaborate study of speed lines of many great Thoroughbreds, compiles a list of forty-four important foundation mares. At the head of that list he places first, Tregonwell’s Natural Barb Mare ; second, Burton’s Barb Mare ; third, Dam of two True Blues. The Thoroughbred derives his origin from the union of Arabian, Barb, and Turkish blood with the lighter type of English horse. From this amalgamation came great stamina, remarkable speed, unusual endurance, and great symmetry of form. The names of many famous Thoroughbreds appear during the history of the breed. The following are worthy representatives, all of them famous racers and most of them great breeders. The dates after their names indicate the years of foaling. 18 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE Prominent British Thoroughbreds and their sires and dams: Squirt, 1732, by Bartlett’s Childers, out of the Snake mare; Pot-S-os, 1773, by Eclipse, out of Sportsmistress ; Woodpecker, 1773, by Herod, out of Misfortune ; Hzghflyer, 1774, by Herod, out of Rachael ; Szv Peter Teazle (also known as Sir Peter), 1784, by Highflyer, out of Papillon; Waxy, 1790, by Pot-8-os, out of Maria by Herod; Whalebone, 1807, by Waxy, out of Penelope ; Tramp, 1810, by Dick Andrews, dam by Gohanna; Wa&zsker, 1812, by Waxy, out of Penelope ; Szv Hercules, 1826, by Whale- bone, out of Peri; Zowchstone, 1831, by Camel, out of Banter ; Trish Bird Catcher, 1833, by Sir Hercules, out of Guiccioli; Gladiator, 1833, by Partisan, out of Pauline ; Faugh-a-Ballagh, 1841, by Sir Hercules, out of Guiccioli; Ordando, 1841, by Touch- stone, out of Vulture; Zhe Baron, 1842, by Irish Bird Catcher, out of Echidna; Stockwell, 1849, by The Baron, out of Poca- hontas ; Azzgston, 1849, by Venison, out of Queen Anne ; Azug Tom, 1851, by Harkaway, out of Pocahontas ; Blazr Athol, 1861, by Stockwell, out of Blink Bonny ; Hermzt, 1864, by New- minster, out of Seclusion ; Robert The Devil, 1877, by Bertram, out of Cast Off; Lend Or, 1878, by Doncaster, out of Rouge Rose; St. Szmon, 1881, by Galopin, out of St. Angela ; /szzg/ass, 1890, by Isonomy, out of Deadlock; Perszmmon, 1893, by St. Simon, out of Perdita Il; -lyzng Fox, 1896, by Orme, out of Vampire; Diamond Jubilee, 1897, by St. Simon; Rock Sand, 1900, by Sainfoin, out of Roquebrune. Prominent British Thoroughbreds imported to America: Shark, 1771, by Marske, dam by Snap; Domed, 1777, by Florizel, out of Sister to Juno; Buzzard, 1787, by Woodpecker, out of Daughter of Alexander ; Savpedon, 1828, by Emilius, out of Icaria ; Glencoe, 1831, by Sultan, out of Trampoline ; Leamzng- ton, 1853, by Faugh-a-Ballagh, out of Daughter of b.m. ; Bonnze Scotland, 1853, by Iago, out of Queen Mary ; Australian, 1858, by West Australian, out of Emilia; Phaeton, 1865, by King Tom, out of Merry Sunshine ; Prince Charlie, 1869, by Blair Athol, out of Eastern Princess ; Rayon a’ Or, 1876, by Flageolet, out of Auracaria; S¢. Llazse, 1880, by Hermit, out of Fusee ; Kingston, 1882, by Flageolet; Ormonde, 1884, by Bend Or, out of Lily Agnes; Sysondy, 1901, by Melton, out of Optime. THE THOROUGHBRED 19 Prominent American Thoroughbreds: Szr Archy, 1805, by Diomed, out of Castianira; American Eclipse, 1814, by Duroc, out of Miller's Damsel; oston, 1833, by Timoleon, out of Sister to Tuckahoe; Lexington, 1850, by Boston, out of Alice Carneal; Norfolk, 1860, by Lexington, out of Novice; Emperor, 1860, by Leamington ; Longfellow, 1867, by Leamington, out of Nantura; Exguzrer, 1867, by Leamington, out of Lida; Zom O’ Chiltree, 1872, by Lexington, out of Katona; Parole, 1874, by Leamington, out of Maiden; H/zmyar, 1875, by Alarm, out of Fic. 6. Hanover, a Thoroughbred stallion. A great racer, starting in fifty races, winning thirty-two, and securing $120,912 in prize money. The leading sire of prize winners in 1895, 1896, 1897, and 1898. In stud at McGrathiana, Lexington, Kentucky. From photograph by author Hira; Spendthrift, 1876, by Australian, out of Aerolite; Lake Blackburn, 1877, by Bonnie Scotland, out of Nevada; Forhall, 1878, by King Alfonso, out of Jamaica; /roguozs, 1878, by Leamington, out of Maggie B.B.; Zhe Bard, 1883, by Longfellow, out of Brademante; /zrenzz, 1884, by Glenelg, out of Florida ; Hanover, 1884, by Hindoo, out of Bourbon Belle; Lmperor of Norfolk, 1885, by Norfolk, out of Marian ; Sa/vator, 1886, by Prince Charlie, out of Salina ; Hamburg, 1891, by Hanover, out of Lady Reel. Importations of Thoroughbreds to America were made at a comparatively early date, and some of the most famous horses 20 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE of the breed found their way to the United States during the eighteenth century. The brief and incomplete list of Thorough- breds imported, which precedes this statement, represents a list of sires and racers of the most distinguished character. The first Thoroughbred to come to America is said to have been the horse Bulle Rock, imported to Virginia in 1730. Diomed, who won the first Derby ever run, was imported in 1797 at twenty years of age. Messenger, imported in 1788, asa Thoroughbred to improve the running horse, became a distinguished progenitor of trotters. Fearnought, 1775; Buzzard, 1787; Shark, 1771; Alderman, 1787; Pantaloon, 1778; Highflyer, 1784; Saltram, 1780; and Matchem, 1773, represent eminent early importations. The men of Virginia, South Carolina, Maryland, and Kentucky, from very early days, showed great interest in Thoroughbreds and _ pro- moted the race track. In 1760 the first track in America, known as the Newmarket course, was established at Charleston, South Carolina, on which were held many enthusiastic races. The conformation of the Thoroughbred is distinctive. The head should be fine and lean and moderately small, showing breeding ; eyes prominent and intelligent ; ears of medium size, not too wide apart, and carried in a lively manner. The xeck should be long, the upper part from withers to poll being about twice as long as the lower part from point of shoulder to larynx, and strongly muscular. The sou/der should slope obliquely back, be covered with muscle, and come back to form high, fairly close, long withers; no coilar heaviness should be noticeable. The chest tends to narrow rather than broad conformation, with good depth, yet able authorities prefer a broad rather than deep and narrow chest. The dody should be rather circular in type, with a depth at the withers rather less than half the height, with a length - equal to the height at withers and croup; the dack and Joins should be comparatively broad, level, and muscular; the ribs well sprung and of enough depth to show good feeding capacity. The croup tends to be long, rather level, curving gracefully, with the tail attached medium high and carried gracefully. The Azad quarter is one of the features of the Thoroughbred, being long, strongly muscled, exhibiting great driving power; the gaskins or lower thighs should be broad. The fore leg should be muscular THE THOROUGHBRED 21 and strong in arm and long and wide in fore arm, with com- paratively little width between the legs. A rather broad, strong knee, supported by a short flat cannon bone extending well back, is desirable. The hzxd deg at the hocks ought to be deep, clean, free from fleshiness, and be supported by a short, flat, clean cannon bone. The fastern joints should be smooth, placed true, and in harmony with the leg as a whole. The fasterns should not be straight but rather long and slanting, yet strong, clean, and springy, being carried at an angle of about 45 degrees. The feet should be of medium size, wide and high at the heel, con- cave below, and be carried straight and true. In order to secure speed it is essential that the knees and hocks move smoothly and freely and that this movement be true. The height of the Thoroughbred ranges from 14} to 16} hands, but 15 to 154 is most approved. It is probable that this breed has increased in: height with its development. Nearly fifty years ago Rous argued that a gain of a hand had occurred during the preceding hundred years. Sir Walter Gilbey states that “from an average height of 14 hands in 1700 the breed has been graded up to an average of 15 hands 2} inches in the year 1900.” The color of the Thoroughbred is variable. Bays and browns are most common and most popular, though chestnuts are common, while blacks, sorrels, grays, and roans occur. The weight of the Thoroughbred is quite variable, but in gen- eral ranges from 900 to 1050 pounds. In temperament the Thoroughbred is nervous and mettlesome, being endowed with great spirit and endurance in the race. The distribution of the Thoroughbred is world-wide in regions where light horses for speed purposes prevail. This is note- worthy in Great Britain, France, Germany, Australasia, Argen- tine Republic, and the United States. Prices at which Thoroughbreds have sold cover a wide range of high figures, this breed, in fact, leading all others in this respect. The highest price paid up to 1906 is for the stallion Flying Fox, sold for 37,500 guineas ($187,500) at the sale of the Duke of Westminster in 1904. Flying Fox was taken to France for stud purposes. Late in 1905 King Edward VII of England sold the stallion Diamond Jubilee for $150,000 to Senor Ignacio 22 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE Correas of the Argentine, South America. Ormonde sold for $150,000, and Cyellene, another English Thoroughbred, recently sold for $150,000. Among other high prices at which Thorough- breds have changed hands are the following: Rock Sand, $125,000; Water Cress, $71,000; Hamburg, $60,000; Nasturtium, $50,000; Norfolk, $40,000; Kentucky, $40,000 ; Iroquois, $34,000 ; Rayon d'Or, $33,000; Bonnie Scotland, $30,000 ; and Luke Blackburn, $20,000. The speed record of the Thoroughbred is faster than that of any other horse. Races with this breed are run under the saddle, with jockeys up. A light, skillful jockey is needed in the saddle, Fic. 7. Lamplighter, a prominent Thoroughbred sire and racer owned by Milton Young, Lexington, Kentucky. One of the leading sires of 1904 and 1905 prize winners. From photograph by author A very satisfactory jockey weight is 110 to 115 pounds, but many great races have been won with weight up to 125 pounds. The fastest record by a Thoroughbred is that of 1.35} by Salvator on a straightaway track of one mile, in 1890, at Mon- mouth Park, New Jersey. On the Harlem standard track, in 1903, Dick Wells ran a mile in 1.373. Only a few days before Alan-a-Dale had passed around the Washington Park track, making the mile in 1.373. In 1855 Lexington ran four miles in 7.19}, winning $20,000 in a race against time. In 1876 Ten Broeck, in a race against time, lowered the four-mile record to 7-15}. This same year he made a mile in 1.393, which was the THE THOROUGHBRED a2 record for about thirteen years. In 1881 Luke Blackburn, a very famous runner, then four years old, made a mile at Jerome Park in 1.45. In 1880 he also made a record of 2.34 for a mile and a half, which was not lowered for many years. Records by Thoroughbreds are made at a running gait under the saddle. In England there are three so-called classic races each year, the Derby, Oaks, and St. Leger. Each of these races is very old. The first Derby in England was run at Epsom, May 4, 1780. In 1784 the distance was increased from one mile to one and one-half mile. The following are the English Derby racing records, since 1890: 1890 Sainfoin, by Springfield, 2.49 1-4. 1891 Common, by Isonomy, 2.56 4-5. 1892 Sir Hugo, by Wisdom, 2.44. 1893 Isinglass, by Isonomy, 2.43. 1894 Ladas, by Hampton, 2.45 4-5. 1895 Sir Visto, by Barcaldine, 2.43 3-5. 1896 Persimmon, by St. Simon, 2.42. 1897 Galtee Moore, by Kendal, 2.47. 1898 Jeddah, by Janissary, 2.37. 1899 Flying Fox, by Orme, 2.38 2-5. 1900 Diamond Jubilee, by St. Simon, 2.42. 1got Volodyovski, by Florizel, 2.40 4-5. 1902 Ard Patrick, by St. Florian, 2.42 1-5. 1903 Rock Sand, by Sainfoin, 2.42 4-5. 1904 St. Amant, by Frusquin, 2.45 4-5. 1905 Cicero, by Cyllene, 2.39 3-5. In America one of the great running races of the year is the Suburban Handicap, of one and one-fourth miles, run at Sheeps- head Bay, New York. The following are the more recent records of that annual event, showing the weight of jockey, time and money won by the winning horse: 1890 Salvator, 127 lbs., 2.06 4-5; $6900. 1891 Loantaka, I10 lbs., 2.07 ; $ggoo. 1892 Montana, 115 lbs., 2.07 2-5; $17,750. 1893 Lowlander, 105 lbs., 2.06 3-5; $17,750. 1894 Ramapo, 120 lbs., 2.06 1-5 ; $12,070. 1895 Lazzarone, 115 lbs., 2.07 4-5 ; $4730. 1896 Henry of Navarre, 128 lbs., 2.07; $5850. 1897 Ben Brush, 123 lbs., 2.07 1-5 ; $5850. 24 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE 1898 Tillo, 119 lbs., 2.08 1-5 ; $6800. 1899 Imp, 114 lbs., 2.08 2-5 ; $6800. 1900 Kinley Mack, 125 lbs., 2.06 4-5 ; $6800. 1901 Alcedo, 112 Ibs., 2.09 3-5; $7800. 1902 Gold Heels, 124 lbs., 2.05 1-5 ; $7800. 1903 Africander, 11o lbs., 2.10 2-5 ; $16,490. 1903 (Renewal) — Water Boy, 112 lbs., 2.04 3-5; $9900. 1904. Hermis, 127 lbs., 2.05; $17,000. 1905 Beldame, 123 lbs., 2.05 2-5; $16,800. Famous Thoroughbred sires of winning stock. Each year a record is made of the sire of Thoroughbreds winning the most races. The table on the opposite page shows the American records from 1870 to date. Lexington proved to be a wonderful horse. In twenty-one seasons he sired 600 horses of which 236 were winners of races. During fifteen years they won a total of $1,159,321. The influence of Lexington was very far-reaching, and he may be regarded as one of the very greatest of American Thorough- breds. The two imported horses, Leamington and Bonnie Scotland, left a strong impress on running-horse blood. The former was used in the stud in England, and in 1865 was purchased for $7500, by Mr. Cameron and brought to America. A daughter of his in Ireland, Miss Theo, proved to be a great brood mare. Parole, a son, became a famous racer. The American-bred horse, Hanover, by Hindoo, was one of the more celebrated Thoroughbreds in recent American history. Foaled in 1884, he early showed great speed and became a turf favorite. As a sire he attained the first rank. A Thoroughbred studbook, known as the General Studbook of Great Lritaiv is published in England. In America Zhe American Studbook for Thoroughbreds is maintained by the American Jockey Club, with headquarters in New York. THE THOROUGHBRED 25 a= RACES AMOUNT YEAR WINNERS Was Mea 1870 Lexington 20 35 82 $120,360 1871 Lexington 21 40 102 109,095 1872 Lexington 22 28 82 7E5hS 1873 Lexington 23 23 aw 71,565 1874 Lexington 24 23 70 51,889 1875 Imp. Leamington 22 18 2 64,518 1876 Lexington 26 12 34 90,570 1877 Imp. Leamington 2 21 49 41,170 1878 Lexington 28 16 36 50,198 1879 Imp. Leamington 26 24 56 70,837 1880 Imp. Bonnie Scotland 24 35 137 135,700 1881 Imp. Leamington 28 23 61 139,219 1882 Imp. Billet 18 17 43 89,998 1883 Imp. Bonnie Scotland 2 35 169 103,475 1884 Imp. Glenelg 18 32 108 98,862 1885 Virgil 21 24 56 73,235 1886 Imp. Glenelg 20 34 136 113,638 1887 Imp. Glenelg 21 33 120 120,031 1888 Imp. Glenelg 22 33 134 130,746 1889 Imp. Rayon d’Or 13 27 101 175,877 1890 Imp. St. Blaise 10 27 105 189,005 1891 Longfellow 22 2 143 189,334 1892 Troquois 14 34 145 183,026 1893 Himyar 18 27 138 249,502 1894 Imp. Sir Modred 17 30 137 134,318 1895 Hanover II 40 18 106,908 1896 Hanover 12 2 157 86,853 1897 Hanover 13 54 159 122,374 1898 Hanover 14 43 124 118,590 1899 Imp. Albert 17 1g 64 953975 1900 Kingston 16 38 Ilo 116,368 1901 Sir Dixon 16 2 94 165,682 1902 Hastings 9 2 63 113,865 1903 Imp. Ben Strome 17 21 gI 106,965 1904 Imp. Meddler 14 21 55 2275555 1905 Hamburg 10 30 60 158,160 Explanatory of the table, the horse Lexington in 1870 at 20 years of age had 35 sons and daughters win 82 races and a total of $120,360. CEUAR Tie Py THE AMERICAN SADDLE HORSE The use of the saddle is common wherever horses are in existence, no matter what the type or character of animal. Of the various classes used, the one which has the most highly devel- oped movement adapted to the saddle and furnishes the most grace of motion and comfort for rider is the American saddle horse. This horse does not as yet represent a fixed breed, but through the character of his breeding and action he possesses much that is interesting to the student of horses. The history of the American saddle horse extends back into Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri more intimately than elsewhere, for in these states the active work of his devel- opment has been conducted. Much of this breeding has been done in Kentucky, hence the common term “ Kentucky saddle horse.”” Early in the history of Kentucky, when railways were unknown and poor roads common, horseback riding was univer- sal. The early saddle horses were hard-gaited, and this resulted in the selection of the better type of Thoroughbreds, easy of gait and light of foot, some of which found their way into Kentucky from Virginia. A few easy moving mares, with an ambling or slow pacing gait, were sought for and found many years ago, and to them Thoroughbred saddle stallions of easy movement were bred. The pacing blood came in part from Canada and New England, and so involved some Morgan breeding. Thus by selection there developed a class of very easy-gaited saddlers peculiar to Kentucky and adjacent states. Through much care and selection a variety of gaits developed from this breeding, thus giving special distinction to the American saddle horse. The influence of Thoroughbred blood on the American saddle horse is interestingly brought out by investigations made by Mr. John H. Ward. He found that the 1081 horses registered in 26 THE AMERICAN SADDLE HORSE 27 Volume I of the studbook contained Thoroughbred blood as follows : Of pure Thoroughbred breeding . . . = Semin -2 horses Containing 50 per cent Thorouehbred blead! a) eee SON ae “ 25 “ “ “ “ ee. ae 296 ‘“ ce 121 “e oe “ “c i = . 343 “ “ 6} “ ‘“ “ ‘“c , ee) Was “ cc aye éc “c “ ee We 36 “ Piginceriaim Wreeding?. <4 2 Soe ist fer sich) 20D, Total Loon Investigation in subsequent studbooks showed no material change in the percentages above given. The foundation stock of the American saddle horse as agreed upon by the American Saddle Horse Breeders’ Association, after years of careful investigation, and as revised in 1902, consists of the ten stallions : Denmark (Thoroughbred) by Imp. Hedgeford. John Dillard, by Indian Chief (Canadian). Tom Hal (imported from Canada). Cabell’s Lexington, by Gist’s Black Hawk (Morgan). Coleman's Eureka (Thoroughbred and Morgan). Van Meter’s Waxy (Thoroughbred). Stump -The-Dealer (Thoroughbred). Peter's Halcorn. Davy Crockett. Pat Cleburne, by Benton’s Gray Diomed. Denmark is the most distinguished animal in this list. His sire, Hedgeford, was foaled in England in 1825, brought over to New York in 1832, and later taken to Kentucky, where he died in 1840. His son, Denmark, was bred to what is known as “«Stevenson’s mare,” from which came unusually good results in saddle-horse lines, she producing to him Gaines’s Denmark, Muir’s Denmark, and Rob Roy. The former proved a great breeding stallion, and from him are descended many of the best saddle horses of to-day. The Denmark horses of the earlier days, bred to the pacing stock from the North, produced excel- lent results. Then Thoroughbred and so-called native mares 28 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE were used, and the blood of the descendants of the foundation stock was judiciously blended, from which has been derived the best of modern American saddle-horse character. The two most famous saddle horses, from their importance as sires, were Black Squirrel 58, by Black Eagle 74, tracing back to Denmark, and J/ontrose 106, by Diamond Denmark 68. Black Squirrel sired more saddle horses of renown than any other stallion of this class, living to the ripe age of twenty-two and leav- ing a long list of distinguished sons and daughters. Black Eagle 74, the sire of Black Squirrel, was also a great breeder as well as show horse. Among other celebrated saddle horses are Highland Denmark 750, by Black Squirrel; Forest Sgutrrel 801, by Black Squirrel (first prize at Columbian Exposition) ; J/onte Cristo 59, by Montrose 106; Red Squirrel 53, by Black Squirrel; and Black Squirrel Jr. 2d 395, by Black Squirrel; Goodwin 1227, by High- land Denmark (sent to Porto Rico) ; and Cupzd 1152, by the same sire, purchased by the Japanese government. The mares Mod/ze, dam of Black Squirrel 58; Amelia, by Red Eagle; Patsy McCord 1600, by Black Squirrel; Hzghland Maid 1270, by Highland Den- mark ; Lmzly 855, by Bourbon Chief, by Harrison Chief 3841 ; Rowena 1362, by Chester Dare 10, by Black Squirrel 58 ; and Miss Rex 820, by Rex Denmark. Characteristics of the saddler. These do not materially differ from the roadster of superior conformation, with all the best quality obtainable. In height 15 hands 1} inches to 15 hands 24 inches is the standard, with weight ranging from 950 to 1050. For ladies the lighter type is preferred, while for heavy weights the larger type is more desirable. The saddler shows much style in carriage of head and arch of neck and tail, while a round, well- turned, neat body is desired. The back should be very strong in order easily to sustain weight. The shoulders and pasterns must be sloping and long, the pasterns in particular being long, strong, and springy, thus favoring an easy gait. The gaits of the saddle horse are especially distinctive. Sad- dlers may be divided into two classes: (1) the walk-trot-canter horse, gaits commonly found in all saddlers, and (2) those of the American saddle horse in particular, viz. the walk, trot, canter, rack, and the running walk, or fox trot, or slow pace. THE AMERICAN SADDLE HORSE 29 A comprehensive discussion of the gaits of the saddle horse, coming from the pen of one well qualified to present the sub- ject,’ and long identified with saddle-horse interests, the writer thinks appropriate to introduce here. There are different kinds of saddle horses, and they are classified in part at least by their gaits. The three natural gaits of a horse are the walk, ea 2 Fic. 8. Gypsy Queen. An American saddle horse, first in class of gaited sad- dlers at Chicago Horse Show in 1903 and 1904. A very beautiful mare, and a winner at numerous shows. From photograph from Ball Bros., Versailles, Kentucky trot, and gallop or run. Artificially, that is by education, the gallop is made into a canter, which is a gait performed by practically the same movement of the legs, but slower, more restrained, and easier to ride. We then have one kind of a saddle horse called the walk-trot-canter or plain-gaited horse. This horse suits a lot of people, primarily, because they do not know any 1 Editorial by W. R. Goodwin, Jr., Breeders’? Gazette, June 10, 1903. 30 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE other gait; secondarily, because they are imitators of the English fashion of riding ; and lastly, and leastly, because they do not like other educated and easier gaits. These easier gaits are the running walk and the rack. The latter is also called szzg/e foot, inasmuch as in this gait each foot has a separate impact on the ground, no two of them striking it at the same time, as in the trot and pace. The running walk is called a slow gait, and there are two other gaits allied to it, — the slow pace and the fox trot. The name “running walk” defines the gait accurately, and at once identifies it to the understanding. It is faster than a flat-foot walk, and is produced by a movement of the legs more rapid than in a walk, but in about the same rhythm; that is, each foot strikes the ground independently of the others. Most horses going the running walk bob or nod their heads, and some of them even flop their ears in rhythm with their footfalls. It is an all-day gait, easy alike to the horse and the rider, and it covers ground at an astonishing fashion for its apparent speed. It is taught by urging a horse out of the FIG. 9. Lady Bonnie. Champion three-gaited walk but restraining him American saddle horse at Chicago Horse Show, 1904, owned by Miss Jennie Bull, from a trot. Racine, Wisconsin. From photograph from Ue Stas Pees ae Miss Bull ; what similar movement but borders more on the side- wheel gait or lateral pace, in which the two feet on one side of a horse strike the ground at the same instant. The true pace, however, is in no sense a saddle gait. It is rough and uncomfortable. A rider cannot rise to it and save himself, as in a trot, and it is positively the worst gait a saddle horse can possess. In the slow pace this side-wheel motion is slightly modi- fied so that the impact on the ground of the two feet on a side is broken, thus avoiding the rolling motion of the true pace. The slow pace is a very comfortable gait, and is very showy, especially when a horse throws just a bit of knee action into it. It has grown common in the show ring during recent years, as saddle-horse trainers appreciate its catchy qualities and endeavor to teach their horses to go this gait. The best saddle-horse men, however, do not look on it with favor, as it is so easily corrupted into the THE AMERICAN SADDLE HORSE 24 abominable side-wheel pace, which ruins a saddle horse for comfortable and satisfactory work. Unless a rider is careful his mount may almost imper- ceptibly degenerate from a distinct and correct slow pace into a plainly defined pace, and then there is sure enough trouble. The fox trot is a slow trot or a jog trot. It is a rather peculiar gait and not so desirable as the running walk or the slow pace. Some horses can- not acquire either of these two gaits and so their trainers pull them down into a very slow trot and seek to pass that gait off as a fox trot. It isa Fic. 10. Showing saddle horses. The St. Louis Fair, 1899. Photograph from National Stockman and Farmer broken-time gait, in a measure, somewhat easier than a pure trot, and when cleanly performed it will answer as a business gait. The trot is the diagonal gait. The off fore foot and the near hind foot strike the ground at the same instant and the horse bounds off them to hit the ground again with the near fore and the off hind. This gives a two-beat gait. The impact of the feet on the ground is one, two, one, two. The pace is the lateral gait. The off fore and off hind foot hit the ground at the same interval, and the other pair on the near side follow. This is also a two-beat gait. The rack is a four-beat gait. Each foot hits the ground at a separate interval in a one-two-three-four beat. The rack can be distinguished by ear as far as the footfalls of the horse may be heard; each foot rings clear its own note on the hard ground. In teaching the rack the horse is forced forward by the spur and restrained by the curb. His diagonal gait is thereby 32 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE broken up and he flies into a four-beat gait. The rack is easy for the rider, hard for the horse. It is a showy gait and is performed at great speed sometimes. The trainer who has a fast racking horse will generally keep him on that gait when in the show ring, hoping to dazzle the judge by the flashiness of the performance. ... This gait has been officially named the rack by the American Saddle Horse Breeders’ Association, and hence the name “single foot”? should not be used, as it merely leads to confusion among the uninformed. The five gaits recognized by that association are the walk, trot, canter, rack, and the running walk, or slow pace, or fox trot. Any one of these three slow gaits will answer. Some horses can go only one of them, some can show them all. When a horse can show these five gaits he is called a gaited horse. The prices paid for superior saddle horses often run into high figures, $500 to $1000 not being uncommon. There is but a limited supply of gaited saddlers, and these are always in demand by a class of patrons who are willing to pay a price consistent with merit. In 1906 Major David Castleman is reported to have sold the stallion, The Moor 1907, by Cecil Pa'mer, for $7500, to General William Palmer, of Colorado Springs. This same year General John B. Castleman, of Kentucky, sold the mares Eugenia, by Highland Denmark, out of Emily, and J/agna, by Cromwell Jr., out of Maria, to J. A. Davis, of Massachusetts, for $5000. The American Saddle Horse Breeders’ Association was organ- ized at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1891, as the National Saddle Horse Breeders’ Association. In 1899 the name was changed to the American Saddle Horse Breeders’ Association. Thus far five volumes of the studbook have been published. Clee Ei Ne THE ROADSTER TYPE The roadster, or light harness horse, occupies a class by itself, representing a lighter type of driver than the coach horse. Such a horse is desirable for speed, in rapidly conveying along roadways a light driving vehicle. The American trotter or pacer is the common type used for this work. Speed and endurance seem to be the principal points sought in the roadster, and less uni- formity of type is found in this class than in any other. Light harness horses vary widely in height, weight, and conformation. The best type of roadster stands from 15} to 15? hands high and weighs about a thousand pounds. In conformation this horse tends to be angular, the muscles and joints showing prominence, with the ribs more or less noticeable. There is proportionately less body and more leg, a thinner neck, with muscularity at the croup and quarters. Discussed in some detail, the following are the more important characteristics in the roadster. The ead as a whole is lean, small, refined, denoting intelligence, spirit, and vigor. The xeck is inclined to be slender and long witha straight top, though ewe necks are not uncommon among mares and geldings of this class. The shoulders are quite oblique and long, and are set deep in the back, ending at the withers, which are sharper and more promi- nent than in any other type of horse. The long sloping shoulder, with powerful muscle attachment, accounts for the long and pow- erful front reach of the roadster when in motion. The avm should be large for the size of the horse, and the fore arm very mus- cular, being wide and thick at the top, with muscle well carried down, and from elbow to knee fully twice as long as the cannon bone. The /egs show prominent and strong development, with the tendons most prominent and very free from fleshiness. The leg of the roadster is often lacking in depth at the upper part of 33 34 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE the cannon, whereas it should be of good depth and the bone hard, smooth, and flat. The pasterns should stand at an angle of about 45 degrees with the floor, and be long, smooth, and springy. The feet should be of good size, round, wide at top, well developed at heel, and preferably dark of bone. The chest usually presents less breadth and more proportionate depth, the roadster thus often seeming narrow-chested. Plenty of lung capacity, with prominent breast, is essential, but these features are not inconsistent with such a form of chest. The body Fic. 11. Rhea W. and Easter Belle. A great pair of prize-winning roadsters. Champions at National Horse Show, Madison Square Garden, New York, 1904. Owned by Miss K. L. Wilks, Galt, Ontario, Canada. Photograph from the owner should be strongly ribbed, the back short, the coupling close, the loin strong and muscular, and the entire body framework indicating constitution. Muscle and not fat is what the roadster should carry, and thus his body frequently appears lacking in capacity, as is in fact the case. Some of the most famous trotters and pacers have certainly appeared to lack girth, with flanks high, and circumference around the body at hind flank distinctly less than good conformation would imply desirable. A strong but not overprominent hip is preferable. The croup is one of the most variable features of the roadster. Length, breadth, and levelness are associated with the trot, but the THE ROADSTER TYPE 35 steep, short croup is responsible for many a pacing gait, for a horse with steep croup can pace more easily than trot, hand- ling his feet with less interference than would occur in trotting. The thighs and quarters are usually long and thin, measuring a great proportionate length from hip to hock, as is also the case with the Thoroughbred. The hocks should be deep and strongly muscular, and should be placed square and true in relation to each other. If the hocks tend to come in and the hind feet toe out, the pacing gait often naturally occurs. Trueness of position of feet and legs will assure a trueness of gait if the feet are prop- erly shod and balanced. Qua/ity is an essential in the roadster. This is seen in the fine hair and soft skin, the refinement of head and limbs, the prominence of veins and muscles, and the harmony and symmetry of parts. N ie wer ~ xe we iS} oo * * With wind shield. Some of the fastest trotting records to January 1, There are numerous standard trotting events, such given below. THE AMERICAN TROTTER 47 1906, are as against time, in races, double teams, three abreast, half-mile track, mile track, etc. these are perhaps of most interest. There are many fastest records, of which EvENT Name oF Horse DatE | ReEcorD Half mile . Major Delmar, b.g., by Del Mar 1904 591 One mile Lou Dillon, ch.m., by Sidney Dillon .| 1903 1.581% Two miles . Cresceus, ch.h., by Robert McGregor | 1902 4.17 Five miles . Zambro, br.g., by McKinney 1902 12.24 Ten miles . Pascal, blk.g., by Pascarel 1893 26.15 Twenty miles Capt. McGowan, rn.h., untraced . 1865 58.25 Fifty miles Ariel, br.m., untraced . 2 1846 | 3.55.40} One hundred miles Conqueror, b.g., by Latourette Bell- founder . ‘ 1853 | 8.55.33 Fastest stallion . Cresceus, ch., by Raber Micerotore I9OI 2.02} Fastest mare . Lou Dillon (see above mile record) Fastest gelding . Major Delmar, b.g., by Del Mar . 1903 .593* Fastest yearling colt Adbell, b., by Advertiser 1894 2.23 Fastest yearling filly Pansy McGregor, b., by Henne McGregor 1893 2.232 Fastest new performer, stallion . Kinney Lou, by McKinney . 1903 2.072 Fastest new performer, mare . Lou Dillon 1903 1.583* Fastest new performer, gelding . Lord Derby, b., by Mambrino King . | 1900 2.07 Trotting to wagon, one mile Lou Dillon |) EgOR 2.00 Double team, one mile | The Monk, br.g., by nice and Equity, blk.g., by Heir-at-Law . 1904 2.07% Three abreast Belle Hamlin, br.m., Globe, br.g.; and Justina, b.m. 1891 2.14 Important sires of both trotters and pacers are listed in con- There is no great trotter or pacer of breed- ing prepotency, with an extended list of offspring, but what has sired some animals that were natural trotters and some pacers. Most prominent among the stallions that have sired siderable numbers. * With wind shield. 2.15 per- 48 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE formers up to January I, 1906, are the following, selected from a list of about two thousand: Adcantara 2.23, by George Wilkes 2.22; Baron Wilkes 2.18, by George Wilkes 2.22; Brown Hal 2.12}, by Tom Hal; Chimes 2.303, by Electioneer ; Evectzoneer, by Hambletonian 10; George Wilkes 2.22, by Hambletonian 10 ; Happy Medium 2.32%, by Hambletonian 10; McKinney 2.114, by Alcyone 2.27; Onward 2.253, by George Wilkes 2.22; Red Wilkes 2.40, by George Wilkes 2.22; Robert McGregor 2.17}, by Major Edsall 2.29 ; Szmmons 2.28, by George Wilkes 2.22. The list of famous American trotting or pacing brood mares is a very long one, there being over four thousand of more or less distinction at this time. Three of these mares well deserve to be placed at the head of this list. Beautiful Bells, by The Moor, dam Minnehaha, was foaled in 1872. She was bred by L. J. Rose in California, though owned at Palo Alto by Leland Stanford, where she dropped her first foal in 1880 to the service of Electioneer. She produced trotters of great merit, either by Electioneer or his sons. On her sire’s side she was a Pilot, on the dam’s a Mambrino. Green Mountain Maid was foaled in 1862. She was bred by Samuel Conklin of Middletown, New York. Her sire was Harry Clay, dam Shanghai Mary. She was a brown mare with star and white hind ankles, and stood 15 hands high. At the Stony Ford Farm of Charles Backman she spent most of the twenty-six years of her life, dying in 1888. Her greatest son was Elec- tioneer, one of America’s most prepotent sires. Green Moun- tain Maid was the dam of sixteen foals. In memory of this mare, a red granite monument was erected in 1889 by Mr. Backman, “on the spot dedicated to her worth and honored by her dust.” Miss Russell,a gray mare foaled in 1865, bred by R. A. Alex- ander at Woodburn, Kentucky, is the third worthy. She was sired by Pilot Jr., and out of Sally Russell by Boston, and her fifth dam was by the great imported Thoroughbred, Diomed. Miss Russell was the dam of eighteen foals. Nutwood, by Bel- mont, her first foal, was her greatest son, he siring 133 trotters and 35 pacers, while Maud S. by Harold, was her most famous daughter. CHAPTER. Vil THE PACER The ancestry of the pacer does not differ from that of the trotter, The distinguishing difference between them, if any, depends upon the gait. However, the same horse may pace on one occasion and trot on another. The pace consists in the two legs on one side being moved forward at about the same time, thus presenting a sort of par- allel movement. The horse naturally paces when his body 1s hardly long enough to permit of a free diagonal movement with- out interference of the feet. The pace provides a freer movement. The trot consists in moving forward at much the same time front and rear opposite limbs, as, for example, the left front leg and the right hind leg. On account of the special leg movement, as exhibited by the gait, the pacer is often referred toas a “ side wheeler,” or “racker,’’ while the trotter is called “diagonal- gaited.”’ The pace involves more of a swaying movement than the trot and is much less popular than the smoother moving trot. The trot and pace are interchangeable, and numerous race horses possess each gait. The stallion Direct, with a pacing record of 2.054, also had a trotting record, as a four-year-old, of 2.18}. Brown Hal, a great pacing sire, also has a trotting record. John R. Gentry 2.00}, a standard-bred trotter, is a very fast pacer and a sire of pacers. Jay-Eye-See was first a trotter at 2.10 and later a pacer at 2.051. Most horses naturally have one gait, but many of them are easily taught the other. Hamilton Busby states that he has seen the late Robert Bonner, the well-known light-horse enthusiast and student of equine form and foot ballast, take a pacing colt and in a few minutes change it to a trotter by simply changing the bearing of its heels. The pace is the faster gait of the two, being regarded as about three seconds faster than the trot. 49 50 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE The conformation of the pacing horse often shows a steepness of croup and curving of hocks which appear to be more or less associated with the gait, though not necessarily so. Some of the most famous pacers in American racing history have had this peculiar conformation which, to say the least, is not beautiful. The pacing standard, as established by the American Trotting Register Association, is the same as the existing trotting stand- ard. Except that the word “pacer” is substituted for the word “trotter,”’ the word “pacing” for the word “trotting,” and the Fic.15. Dan R. One of the fastest recent pacers, with a record of 2.012 in 1903, and credited with the fastest heat of that year. Photograph from National Stockman and Farmer speed standard 2.25 for 2.30, the first five paragraphs of official trotting and pacing standards are alike. The pacing standard, however, has a sixth paragraph, which is as follows: 6. The progeny of a registered standard trotting horse out of a registered standard pacing mare, or of a registered standard pacing horse out of a registered trotting mare. This last paragraph brings out the interesting point in an offi- cial way, that the result of the union of a pacer and trotter may create a standard-bred pacer. THE PACER 51 Pacing records now receive much attention from the public, although in early days the trot was the greater favorite of the two, especially prior to 1860. The following table shows how the pacing record has been reduced since 1839. REDUCTION OF PacING RECORD TO JANUARY 1, 1906 NaME OF Horse PLace oF RECORD Date | REcorD Drover . New Jersey 1839 | 2.28 Fanny Ellsler Albany, N.Y. 1844 | 2.273 Unknown . New Jersey 1844 | 2.23 Pet . Long Island, N.Y. 1852 | 2.183 Pocahontas Long Island, N.Y. 1855 | 2.174 Sleepy George . Rochester, N.Y. 1879 | 2.154 Sleepy Tom . Chicago, IIl. 1879 | 2.12} Little Brown Jug . Hartford, Conn. 1881 | 2.114 Johnston . Chicago, Ill. 1884 | 2.06} Direct . Independence, Iowa 1891 | 2.06 Hal Pointer . Chicago, Ill. 1892 | 2.05} Mascot . Terre Haute, Ind. 1892 | 2.04 Robert J. . Terre Haute, Ind. 1894 | 2.014 John R. Gentry Portland, Me. 1896 | 2.004 Star Pointer . Readville, Mass. 1897 | 1.594 Prince Alert . Empire City Track, N.Y.| 1904 | 1.57 * Dan Patch Memphis, Tenn. 1905 | 1.551* SOME OF THE FASTEST PacING RECORDS TO JANUARY I, 1906 EVENT NAME OF HorSsE Date | ReEcorpD Half mile Dan Patch, by Joe Patchen 1903 56 * One mile. Dan Patch, by Joe Patchen 1905 | 1.55i* Fastest heat, stallion Star Pointer, by Brown Hal 1897 2.00} Fastest heat, gelding Prince Alert, by Crown Prince IQOI 2.003 Fastest heat, mare The Broncho, by Stormcliffe 1905 | 2.03} Fastest heat, igi’ old | Searchlight, by Dark pk ee 1898 | 2.044 One mile to high wheel . Dan Patch . : ee 1903 043 * One mile with running | mate . | Flying Jib, by Algona. 1894 | 1.584 Three miles to wagon ./| Longfellow, by Red Bill . 1868 | 7.53 One mile on half-mile track Dan Patch . 1905 | 2.01 * * Wind shield and pace maker in front. 52 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE < Money-winning trotting or pacing families. During 1904, according to the American Horse Breeder, 150 sires were repre- sented by money-winning performers on the Grand Circuit. Of these, 128, or 85} per cent, trace back through the male line to Hambletonian 10; while 71, or 47.3 per cent, trace back to Ham- bletonian’s greatest son, George Wilkes, he having 14 sons, 44 grandsons, and 13 great-grandsons among the winning sires. These descendants of George Wilkes won a total of $243,682, or more than half of all the money won during the season. Total winnings credited to descendants of Hambletonian were $407,084 as against a grand total of $464,847. The following is the summary : d ToTaAL ToTaL | FAMILIES x PER CENT PER CENT SIRES WINNINGS Hambletonian 10. = 2 2 =. 128 85-33 $407,084 87.6 Mambrino Chief . 9 6.00 18,415 3.9 Tom Hal 6 4.00 31,960 6.9 Pocahontas Boy . 2 1-33 1,875 4 Miscellaneous . 5 2:33 55513 1.2 Totally ees Cae ss eee ee 150 100.00 | $464,847 100.0 The number of record-making horses listed among those standard-bred is very large and is constantly and rapidly in- creasing. At the close of the year 1904 there were 20,282 trotters in the 2.30 list, and 11,745 pacers in the 2.25 list. The prices paid for standard-bred horses represent in some cases remarkable valuations, while a long list might be given of animals that have changed hands at $10,000 or more each. The highest price ever paid for a trotter was $150,000, paid by Mr. J. Malcolm Forbes of Boston for Arion 2.073, by Electioneer. In 1905, at a sale at Madison Square Garden, Mr. M. W. Savage of Minneapolis purchased Arion for $2500. The trotting stallion Axtell 2.12, by William L., was purchased by a company at Terre Haute, Indiana, for $105,000. Dan Patch 1.553, the great pacing horse, was purchased for $60,000 by Mr. M. W. Savage, who has since refused $180,000 for him. Among other THE PACER 53 notable prices paid for standard-bred horses are the following : Nancy Hanks, $45,000 ; Sunol, $41,000; Maud S., $40,000 ; Mascot, $26,000. Successful drivers of light harness horses must be men of exemplary habits, and must, in order to accomplish results, possess the keenest knowledge of the temperament and capacity of the horse. Among the famous drivers of America may be mentioned Ed. Geers, Budd Doble, John Splan, Charles Marvin, Fic. 16. Elastic Pointer, a pacer with record of 2.064. A full brother of Star Pointer, 1.59%, one of the greatest pacers in history. Photograph from National Stockman and Farmer Alonzo and Alta McDonald, W. J. Andrews, Al. Thomas, Chas. De Ryder, and George Spear. In 1905 the following sums were won in races by successful drivers: Ed. Geers, $32,004; Lon McDonald, $27,160 ; T. Murphy, $16,920; Al. Thomas, $16,148. CHAP TEN Viti THE ORLOFF TROTTER This breed is comparatively unknown in America, being of Russian origin and not much bred outside of that country. The origin of the Orloff dates back to 1780. Count A. G. Orloff-Tschesminsky, from whom the breed takes its name, made a journey to Constantinople in 1780 as the emissary of Cath- erine II of Russia. The Sultan of Turkey sent back to Russia | a gift of the Arab stallion Smetanka, an animal of superior breeding and unusual size and strength. This Arab was bred to a Danish mare, from which came a horse foal that was named Polkan Ist. The result of this union, bred to a big Dutch mare known as a ‘“Hartdraver,” produced another male foal, which was designated Bars Ist, which is regarded as the first repre- sentative of the true Orloff breed of trotters. While in the evolution of the breed outcrosses with mares have been made, the line of descent from Bars Ist on the sire’s side has been carefully guarded. The characteristics of the Orloff are of a variable nature, as based on those shown in America. Mr. Jacob Heyl thus con- cisely describes the Orloff :! In the first thirty years of our century (nineteenth) the Orloff trotters showed such pronounced type that it was difficult to distinguish one from another. The average height of the Orloff horse of to-day is from 15% to 16 hands. To the casual observer they hardly give the impression of great quality, —at least not such as would warrant the presumption of extraordinary performances. The head is small and clean, the face wide between the eyes and almost invariably dished. The ears are small, the eyes large and full, though some- what sleepy when the horse is at rest. The neck is well connected, but inclined to be a trifle thick in the throat, arched beautifully, and carried very high, rising high from the withers. Owing to the rise of the withers, 1 Breeders’ Gazette, August 16, 1893. 54 THE ORLOFF TROTTER 55 the back, which is short and strong, appears slightly swayed and runs into broad, full loins. The croup has a peculiar rounding and is somewhat sloping. It is supplied with clearly defined layers of muscles, from which the horse derives its great propelling power. The shoulders are quite slop- ing and well muscled without being heavy. Fore arm and thigh show plenty of muscle and great length, while the cannons are correspondingly short, with an abundance of bone below the knee and hock. In standing the legs are generally carried well under the body. Forelock, mane, and tail show Fic. 17. Oussan. An Orloff trotter shown at Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893. Commended for perfect form, size, and speed. Owned by the Grand Duke Dimitri of Russia a rich growth of medium fine hair, inclined to be wavy. A peculiarity is the growth of fine, long hair on the fetlocks, which seems to act as a pro- tection in deep snow. The general appearance of the Orloff when at rest is that of an animal of good size and substantial build, perhaps a trifle leggy on account of the proportionately small rump as compared with shoulders and hind quarters, and a faint suggestion of coarseness on account of the strong legs and full hoofs. The whole appearance changes wonderfully, however, the moment the horse isin motion. Going up on the bit, head carried up and well arched in the neck, ears pointed and constantly playing, nostrils dilated and eyes sparkling, he moves along with determination and the precision of a piece of mechanism. The fore legs are well bent in the knee, the feet almost touching the elbows, while the hind legs are brought forward with great power, striking the ground well in front of the imprints of the fore feet. 56 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE At all times the horse seems to trot within himself and be in perfect balance without outward aid. The disposition of the Orloff is perfect and his docility admirable ; he is a free, fearless driver... . He is a horse of great endurance, trotting mile after mile without any apparent fatigue. The above description is given by one who has not only studied the animals of this breed in Russia but who has also imported and owned them in America. There are apparently several types of Orloffs. Mr. M. W. Dunham, who judged this breed at the Columbian Exposition in 1893, reports on the heavy type of Russian trotter, weighing from 1100 to 1300 pounds and standing from 153 to 163 hands high; he also reports on a lighter, finer sort. Though credited with great power and speed, some of the fastest ones have degenerated into a coarseness of form not sought after by American buyers. The lighter type is criticised Fic. 18. Ouriadnik. First-prize Orloff trotter by American judges as at Columbian Exposition, 1893, in class of — rather too lone of back nit? , S 7 5 six judged by Mr. M. W. Dunham. Owned by Russian State Stud and sloping of quarters, and as having a higher knee action and less speed than the American trotter. They are commended as having great beauty of head, neck, and shoulders, and as possessing much intelligence and endurance, besides con- siderable speed. Yet they are too much like the American trotter to be wanted here. The color of the Orloff is quite commonly gray, white, or black, yet chestnuts and bays occur. Importations of Orloffs have been made to America on several occasions. In the spring of 1877 four stallions and one mare were brought over and sold at auction on October 13, all being bid in by Lieutenant Ismailoff of the Russian army, at prices THE ORLOFF TROTTER 57 ranging from $300 to $995. In 1890 Jacob Heyl, of Wisconsin, imported two black stallions, and in 1892 two stallions and four mares. That same year F. G. Bourne imported five stallions and one mare, while on July 25, 1893, eighteen head were imported, for showing at the Columbian Exposition. On April 10, 1902, after spirited bidding, twenty-eight Orloffs, imported by Bergh & Company, were sold at auction in the American Horse Exchange for an average price of $1243. With the exception of one chest- nut, all of these were blacks or grays. The highest price paid was $6400 for a pair of matched drivers. The speed of the Orloff is most excellent, but not the equal of the American trotter. The gray Orloff, Wzmakb, imported by Jacob Heyl, has a record for a mile in 2.273. In 1893 Mr. J. H. Sanders gave the fastest Russian record of 1.40 for one verst (3500 feet) as made by the Orloff trotter Poitieshnoy, equivalent to a mile record of a trifle under 2.31. In short-distance races the record of the Russian trotter is inferior to the American, but on long stretches of three or more miles he is distinctly the superior. A cross of the Orloff and the American trotter seems to have been attended with excellent results. In recent years trotters have been taken to Russia from America, and the cross-bred progeny has shown superior speed, especially where the dam was the Orloff. In fact the half-bred offspring has shown greater speed as a rule than the sire. CEUA ae inatce THE COACH OR CARRIAGE HORSE TYPE The coach or carriage horse is also frequently called the heavy harness horse. This type is intended for the special purpose of drawing coaches and other vehicles, such as may be commonly seen in every city of importance. It is also of value in light work where a larger type than the American trotter is wanted. A certain size and conformation generally found in the coach breeds are associated with this type. The American trotter of the larger size may, however, furnish the essentials needed in a high-class coach horse. The general appearance of a coach horse in good condition shows smooth, graceful body lines, with a general fullness in all the parts. The “ezght should be about 16 hands and the wezght from 1100 to 1250 pounds for geldings or mares. Stallions will usually range from 1250 to 1550, according to breed. In guality the coacher should be superior, showing the best of feet, bone, and hair. yeas TRO ee , < ee Fic. 20. Royal Danegelt (5785), by Danegelt (174). One of the most famous Hackney show horses and sires of England in recent years Owned and bred by Sir Walter Gilbey, Bart., England. Photograph from Sir Walter Gilbey on Norfolk mares. Undoubtedly the road horses of Norfolk and Suffolk were much appreciated for speed, and any blood that would contribute to this purpose and not injure stamina was used. Thus the Thoroughbred also played a part in early Hackney development. The important evolution of the Hackney probably began with a horse known under a variety of names, viz. Schales, Shales, The Original Shales, and Shields. This stallion was foaled in 1755 and was probably sired by Blaze, a son of Flying Childers. In the breeding of this horse, registered in the first volume of THE HACKNEY 65 the English Hackney Studbook as The Original Shales (699), occurs Arabian, Turk, and Barb blood. He is but four genera- tions from the Darley Arabian. The Original Shales sired among others one son, Scot Shales (692), and he proved a great breeder, although not famous for speed. He was famous for getting “good stock out of common mares.” In 1782 he was “ justly esteemed the best stallion known to get good road _ horses.” The Original Shales was also sire of Driver (187) that proved a great breeder. Coming along after these, as important factors in Hackney development and history, were the following: Fire- away (201) (Jenkinson’s), foaled in 1780; Fireaway (203) (West’s) ; Fireaway (211) (Flanders); Pretender (596) (Wroot’s) ; Fireaway Fic. 21. Lord Denby II, a Hackney stallion that has sired some of the choice show horses of the breed. Owned by Eben D. Jordan, Boston, Massachusetts. Photograph from Mr. Jordan (208) (Burgess); Bellfounder (52) (Steven’s); Bellfounder (55) (Jary’s), imported to America in 1822; Wildfire (864) (Rams- dale’s) ; The Norfolk Cob (475); The Norfolk Phenomenon (522) ; Phenomenon (573) (Ramsdale’s) foaled in 1835; Sir Charles 66 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE (Beal's 768), foaled in 1843 ; Denmark (Bourdas’ 177), foaled in 1862 ; Danegelt (174), foaled in 1879, and died in 1894. During the past fifty years the blood of Denmark and Danegelt has been most potent in Hackney history. Perhaps the five sires of most importance in the last quarter of the nineteenth century were Lord Derby 2d, Bourdas’ Denmark, Triffitt’s Fireaway, D’Oyley’s Confidence, and Danegelt. | Speed and endurance have always been important Hackney characteristics. Driver (187) is said to have trotted 17 miles in one hour, while Fireaway (201), old advertisements state, made 2 miles on the road in 5 minutes. The Norfolk Cob is said to have trotted 24 miles in one hour. The famous mare Phenomena, in June, 1800, at twelve years of age, trotted 17 miles on the Hunt- ingdon road in 56 minutes, and again in July in less than 53 minutes. In 1811, when twenty-three years of age, she trotted g miles in 28 minutes 30 seconds. The Hackney in early days was ridden to the saddle and so carried loads, often of weight approximating 200 pounds. During hot July weather, John A. Logan, Jr., drove a pair of Hackney mares, hitched to a two- seated buckboard, 94 miles in two days along the Hudson River and made the last 23 miles in 1 hour and 53 minutes. The Hackney in America dates back to 1822, when James Booth, of Boston, imported from Liverpool, Bellfounder (55) (Jary’s), commonly known as Imported Bellfounder. He was sired by Bellfounder (52), with Pretender (596) for grandsire, and out of a mare named Velocity. The Bellfounders proved ani- mals of great speed and endurance, tracing back from the original Fireaways. Bellfounder was the sire of the Kent mare, the dam of Hambletonian 10. The great speed in the Ham- bletonian family of trotters may justly be regarded as tracing through the Bellfounder lineage. It is believed that the Hudson Bay Company imported to Canada in 1830 an English Hackney named Fireaway, but for years no importations of this breed other than these two came to America, and they were not brought over as Hackneys. In 1881 M. H. Cochrane of Hillhurst, Canada, brought an impor- tation to Canada from England, having among others a fine stallion named Fordham, by Denmark 177. The first Hackney THE HACKNEY 67 stud founded in the United States was established by A. J. Cas- satt of Philadelphia. In the spring of 1883 he imported the stallion Little Wonder and the mares Patience and Buttercup, having previously brought over the mare Stella by Confidence 158. Little Wonder was exhibited in 1883, and later proved to be a breeder of much excellence. Other importations were as follows: Prescott Lawrence, Newport, Rhode Island, 1884; J. B. Perkins, Cleveland, Ohio, 1887; Henry Fairfax, Aldie, Fic. 22. Kirkburn Sensation (8533). Champion Hackney stallion at Royal Agricultural Society of England Show, 1904, and first and junior cham- pion at London Hackney Horse Society Show, 1904. Owned by Sir Walter Gilbey, Bart. Photograph from Wm. Cooper & Nephews, Berk- hamsted, England Virginia, 1888 ; John A. Logan, Youngstown, Ohio, 1888 ; Gal- braith Bros., Janesville, Wisconsin, J. H. Truman & Son, Bush- nell, Illinois, Powell Bros., Springboro, Pennsylvania, and some others, 1889. In 1890 Dr. Seward Webb, Shelburne Farms, Vermont, made an importation of twenty-seven mares and four stallions, the most important consignment up to this time. Since then many Hackneys have been brought to the United States from England. Among more recent importers, F. C. Stevens, 68 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE Attica, New York, Eben D. Jordan, Boston, Massachusetts, and Robert Beith, Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, are perhaps best known. Hackney characteristics are especially shown in conformation and gait. The type of this breed is usually associated with the horse full of breast, short of back, long, level, and broad of rump, deep of rib, short of leg, with a carriage of head and neck of the coachiest type. The Hackney may perhaps be regarded as Fic. 23. Fandango 2d 373. A fine type of Hackney stallion. First at Boston Horse Show and New York Open Air Show in 1899 and a winner at other exhibitions since. Owned by F. C. Stevens, Attica, New York. Photo- graph from owner blockier of form than other coach breeds of cob-like character. Mr. Henry F. Euren states that the general description of the Hackney which fitted both old style and new ideal is in brief this: ‘A powerfully built, short-legged, big, broad horse, with an intelligent head, neat neck, strong, level back, powerful loins, and as perfect shoulders as can be produced.” While Hackney breeders desire a height ranging from 15} to 15} hands, this breed shows quite a variation in height. In 1885 THE HACKNEY 69 the Royal Agricultural Society of England, at the request of the Hackney Studbook Society, increased the standard height for the breed to 154 hands, and the class was well filled. There are Hackney ponies under 14 hands, Hackney cobs larger than ponies, and Hackney coachers over 16 hands. The gait of the Hackney originally had its chief value in a long, strong trot for road work. With the evolution of years the fashion of modern times called for the high stepper with extravagant action. The horse Confidence 158 (English studbook) was the sire of many horses of this type of gait, and, as some think, to the detriment of the breed, though “the get of Confidence yielded a larger total profit than any other horse of his day.’’ While the fancy city trade desires matched pairs with very high action, this is inconsistent with the most graceful or forceful movement. The ideal Hackney has a perfect walk, and a trot associated with a powerful stride. The feet are carried clear and full from the ground and are strongly and actively raised at the knee, while the hock is carried forward under the body with much grace, strength, and action. The soundness of this breed has been much emphasized. At the first show of Hackneys held in Agricultural Hall, London, in 1885, it is said that over twenty stallions from four to sixteen years old were selected by the judges as absolutely sound. For some years the English Hackney Society, in its shows, has had the horses on exhibition examined for soundness, and the animals have had to undergo a veterinary examination before being sub- mitted to the judges. The following figures show the results of examinations for five different years. EXHIBITION OF Horses EXAMINED REJECTED PER CENT REJECTED 1896 396 17 4.20 1897 438 23 5-47 1898 436 21 4.80 1903 422 21 4.97 1904 416 24 5-7 The color of the Hackney varies, but chestnuts at present seem in great favor. Bays and browns always have been popu- lar and common, while black, roan, buckskin, and sorrel occur 70 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE occasionally. White markings also occur, as a blaze face or star, a white foot or pastern, or lower part of leg. Half-bred or grade Hackneys have become more or less popular in both America and Great Britain, while in France Hackney stallions have had much influence. A study of pedi- grees will show an important relationship of Norfolk Hackney blood in building up the French Coach, and the French have Fic. 24. Hildred, a very perfect type of a Hackney mare, imported and owned by Eben D. Jordan of Boston. This mare in recent years has been a notable prize winner and favorite in American horse shows. Photograph from Mr. Jordan not been backward in using the Hackney for cross-breeding. In America Hackney stallions have been mainly used in the more eastern states. Mr. Henry Fairfax of Virginia has used Hackney stallions on common farm mares with much success, and grades of this breeding have been successfully exhibited. Some years ago the late John A. Logan, Jr., had an extensive Hackney stud at Youngstown, Ohio, where he had about fifty THE HACKNEY ra racing mares. He selected twenty-five as near types of their respective families as possible, including two Thoroughbreds, and bred to them a Hackney stallion, from which he obtained twenty- three live foals. This Hackney stallion also was bred to about thirty other mares in the vicinity, including several grade Per- cherons, two Clydesdales, and the balance mainly ordinary farm work mares. From fifty-six mares fifty-two live foals were obtained, not one of which was blemished or crooked. Says Mr. Logan: ‘Every colt I have ever seen (and I think I have seen them all) has a wonderfully short back, round well-developed quarters, short flat legs, with a great amount of bone and sub- stance. A stranger can pick them out from any number of others of different breeds almost at a glance.” The result of this cross gave the greatest satisfaction, producing horses with substance, style, finish, and a high-class carriage gait. The distribution of the Hackney is more widespread than that of any other coach-horse breed. It is generally found in the east- ern and north central United States, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and Illinois being breeding centers. It is also found almost all over the world. In 1903 horses were exported from England to Africa, Australia, Belgium, Argentine, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, and the United States. The English Hackney Horse Society was established in 1883, and published the first volume of its studbook in 1884. Up to 1905 this society has published twenty-two studbooks and has registered 9076 stallions and 17,074 mares. The American Hackney Horse Society was organized in 1891, and Volume I of the studbook appeared in 1893. Since then, up to 1905, but one other volume has been issued. CHAPTER AL THE FRENCH COACH Early French horse history. The horse has been known in France since prehistoric times, and the remains of horses have been found in the eastern part of the country in large numbers. These were associated with the Stone Age. Just when the horse first became domesticated in France is unknown. He may have been used in a measure by the early people of the country, both for food and labor. Several hundred years prior to the time of Christ horses were used in Gaul for military purposes. Horse racing in France dates back several centuries. It is said that racing was practiced in 1323 under Charles le Bel and even earlier. Systematic attempts to improve the racing horse began during the reign of Louis XIV, in the latter part of the seven- teenth century. Colbert, one of the ministers of Louis XIV, founded the ‘“‘ Administration des Haras.’”’' During these early days more or less horse racing was engaged in, but in no persistent form. Between 1775 and 1790 French horses were taken to England and raced on the turf by French owners. The French saw the merit of the English Thoroughbred, and along in this period they began to buy and send them to France for both breeding and racing purposes. Several of the sires taken to France in and about 1776 became famous, as, for example, Comus by Otho, Glowworm by Eclipse, King Pepin by Turf, and Pyrois by Matchem. Some mares were also taken across the Channel. Very early in the nineteenth century Napoleon the Great undertook to promote the development of the horse, though he had in view the army service as well as use on the turf. The French Jockey Club was organized in 1833, and with it came the first real influential development of the light horse in 1 Administration of Studs. > / THE FRENCH COACH ifs France. This club was aristocratic, wealthy, and influential, and began to promote racing and breeding. Since that time the gov- ernment haras, the Jockey Club, and horse-breeding societies have done much to improve the horse of France. Origin of the French Coach horse. The term “ French Coach ” is an American one, there being no breed of that name in France. The type of horse that we know by this name in America is termed Demi-Sang in France, meaning half-blood. These horses when descended from Eng- lish sires and mares of Normandy have been called Anglo- Normans and are often referred to as such. Besides the Thor- oughbred, there were introduced into France Hackneys and Nor- folk trotters from England and Arabs and other horses from the Orient. Descend- ants of the great Hackney stallion Phenomenon were Fic. 25. Apropos 3445, a French Coach stallion im- ported by McLaughlin Bros., Columbus, Ohio, in taken to France and 1903. Grand champion at American Royal at used in the studs with Kansas City in 1904, and at International Live much benefit. Evi Stock Exposition, Chicago, in 1905. Photograph : by author dence before the Irish Commissioners of Horse Breeding showed that during the last quarter of the past century from twenty to thirty Hackney stal- lions a year were bought in England for the French haras, on government orders. These, however, have not as a rule gone into those sections drawn upon for carriage horses for the American trade. The leading source of French Coach stock has been in a famous horse region in a district west of Paris, extending to the seashore, notably in the counties or departments of Calvados, Orne, and 74 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE La Manche, in that section of France known as Normandy. Here was early felt the influence of the race course, and it was found that by using English sires to the Normandy mares a certain degree of coarseness and plainness was removed, while there was an increase in speed and quality. There was much experimental breeding, resulting in con- siderable variation in the beginning. English horses were used to a consider- able extent in the early development, but since 1840 French-bred horses have been used almost exclusively. The coach or carriage horse of France is derived from trotter stock. The purpose of breeding fast vt20n ble i F is z I arley, a OO: rench Coach horses, capable of per- Sire in service in France. Photograph by James B. McLaughlin, Columbus, Ohio forming hard work, was clearly in the minds of the French people. The pedigrees of the best of French Coach horses trace back through lines of descent into the blood of English Thoroughbreds, Hackney and Norfolk trotters, Arabs, etc. For example, the stallion Niger, foaled in 1869, had Norfolk Phe- nomenon for sire and Miss Bell, a half-blood American mare, for dam. He was used in the national haras and became a very famous sire. The stallion Tigris is three generations removed from the English Thoroughbred, The Heir of Linne, imported to the national haras at Tarbes, in 1859, a stallion that made a strong impression on the Demi-Sang. Another interesting phase of the influence of foreign blood is shown in the stallion Aemulus, foaled in 1871, sired by Mambrino Pilot and out of Black Bess. He was a prize winner on the American turf between 1876 and 1880, but was taken to France in 1881 and placed in the haras of Colaincourt (Aisne), where he rendered good service. Aemulus was a combination of Mambrino blood on the sire’s side and Morgan on the dam’s. Conquerant, foaled in 1858, another THE FRENCH COACH 75 famous Demi-Sang stallion that proved to be a remarkable breeder, being in service at the national haras at Le Pin from 1862 to 1880, had Thoroughbred blood on both sire and dam sides four generations back. The famous stallion Indre 385, imported by the late M. W. Dunham, foaled in 1886 and still alive in 1905, was a grandson of The Heir of Linne on the sire’s side and great- grandson of Conquerant on the dam’s side. The stallion Young Rattler, bred in England but in service in Normandy from 1820 to 1834, proved to have a most important influence on the French turf. These examples suffice to show the influence of foreign horses on the mares of France in developing the Demi-Sang. In recent years it is claimed that the breeding has been restricted to French blood entirely. Methods of the French to promote horse improvement. It is appropriate to give here in some detail the methods employed in France to improve the horse, these applying to the Percheron, dis- cussed elsewhere, as well as to the French Coach. Beginning with the Administration des Haras in the latter part of the seventeenth century, the French government has, in a more or less degree, continuously promoted horse improvement. In 1690 by government decree there were 1600 stallions classed as either py, 27. Radziwill, a famous French Coach me Fl aa Fy ot 34 ae CATS royal or approved. In stallion, purchased by the French govern- 1714 Louis XV estab- ment for 25,000 francs ; under examination : by a juror at Caen. Photograph by James lished a government stud, B. McLaughlin or haras, at Le Pin, which has since been the leading one of France, and where also an equine school has been maintained. In 1775 a stud with twelve sub-studs was established at Pompadour, this being under govern- ment control. In 1789 there were 3239 approved and govern- ment stallions in France, which served about 115,000 mares. 76 THE HORSE, ASS, AND ' MULE During the first part of the nineteenth century the government purchased many stallions for the haras. From 1815 to 1833 there were bought 1902 stallions, of which 223 came from Arabia and other foreign countries, 853 from the northern departments of France, and 826 were selections from the government studs. In 1833 a royal decree established a studbook for the preserva- tion of pedigrees. This was designated 7he French Studbook : A Register of Demi-Sang Horses, Born and Imported into France, the first volume of which was published in 1891, com- prising 3219 stallions and 1445 mares registered between 1840 and 1890. On May 5, 1870, the management of the gov- ernment haras was given to the Department of Agriculture and Com- merce. These were placed in charge of a director general, eight inspectors, twenty-six sub-directors, ten superintendents, and twenty-six veterinari- ans. To hold one of these Fic. 28. A view of the Equine Schoolat Le Pin, offices one must bea erad- France. Photograph by James B. McLaugh- ie lin, Columbus, Ohio uate of the equine school at Le Pin. In 1874 the government issued an order to increase the stallions in France by 200 per year until the total number should reach 2500. The Chamber of Deputies appropriated 1,500,000 francs ($300,000) for prizes for breeding animals, and 50,000 francs ($10,000) to experiment with the Arab and Anglo-Arab, using 60 superior mares at the haras of Pompadour. Classes of breeding stallions in France. In order to promote intelligent breeding and a superior stock of horses in France, the government made three different classes of stallions, both coach and draft: /?rs¢, stallions owned in the government haras. 1 Stud-Book Francats: Registre des Chevaux de Demi-Sang, Tome I, Paris, 1891. THE FRENCH COACH Fi Second, approved or subsidized stallions, such as are owned by private parties. Upon inspection by government experts, those of the second class that are found of sufficient merit are given government approval. The owners of such horses are allowed from 300 to 5000 francs bonus ($60 to $1000) from the Minister of Agriculture for the year for which this approval stands, during which time the horses are to be used on the mares of the com- munity in which they are located. Zzrd, authorized stallions. These by official inspection are pronounced of good quality and worthy of public patronage. Since 1885 the French law has prohibited from public __ service stallions not com- ing up to this standard. According to official statement in 1903,! there were owned in France by private proprietors, 1476 approved and 265 author- wed stallions. Of the approved, 522 proprietors owned one stallion each ; 167, two; 74, three ; and Fic. 29. A view of the stable at the Equine 29, four ; while 208 owned School, Le Pin, France. Photograph by James B. McLaughlin, Columbus, Ohio one authorized stallion each. Characteristics of the French Coach. This breed really pre- sents some variation in type. The larger, smoother sort brought to America is what we know as the coacher. These generally average about 16 hands high, and American trade prefers this height for stallions and geldings of maturity. Mares will stand from 15 to 16 hands. Ina list of 22 stallions before the writer the average weight in sale flesh is 1396 pounds, the lightest weight being 1300 and the heaviest 1475. For stallions in fair condition 1350 may be regarded as an acceptable weight, with mares at 1200 pounds. There is also a smaller, more cobby type of coacher, or French trotter, that is not so commonly brought to America, yet is highly valued by the French for its speed quality. 1 Rapport de V’inspecteur général directeur des haras 4 M. le ministre de Vagriculture sur la gestion de l’administration des haras en 1903. 78 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE There is not a great variation in color, bay, in varying shades, and brown, being most common. Of 147 stallions and mares owned by two of the leading dealers in the United States there were go bays or brown bays, 29 browns, 17 blacks, and 11 chestnuts. The French Coach is characterized by very good length of body, with a long, somewhat arching neck and a long, wide, level croup. The trot of this breed is long and powerful, rather than high and trappy like the Hackney. The French have sought strong bone and excellent feet and great speed for a heavy type of trotter. The French race track, which is either two and one half or two miles lorg, is over a course of turf. The sod track causes a high knee action and long stride as well as a strong, well-flexed hock movement. Speed records of French Coachers. As might natu- rally be supposed, the use of stallions from high-class speed ancestry on French mares produced fast trot- ter& The'*horsesmor France, however, have never made as fast time Fic. 30. A first-prize French Coach colt ata ag those of America. In ce Photograph by James B. 1873 Niger trotted 2} miles in 6.55, while up to 1877 the fastest record was by Pactole, who made 2} miles in 6.38. In 1891 there were 1399 contestants in races, 312 of which trotted races from 2 to 3$ miles at less than 3 minutes per mile, 137 under 2.50, 112 under 2.45, and 62 under 2.40. The size and strength of this horse enable him to go con- siderable distances at comparatively great speed. In 1875, at Toulouse, Zethus, under saddle, trotted 12} miles in 37 minutes 21 seconds, and in another trial at Caen trotted the same dis- tance in 37 minutes 19 seconds. In 1877 the mare Zacinthe trotted 18 miles on an ordinary road in §9 minutes, defeating Zethus, then fourteen years old. THE FRENCH COACH 79 The preceding records speak well for the speed capacity of the French Coach horse. Distribution and adaptation. This breed has been rather extensively distributed over Europe and the United States, although it is not generally bred outside of Normandy in France. In the United States it is fairly well known east of the Mississippi and north of the Ohio. The best-known breeding and importing studs are in Ohio and Illinois. The late Mark W. Dunham of Wayne, Illinois, and Powell Bros. of Springboro, Pennsylvania, were the most important breeders and importers in i a Se lO, icee “merart Teme 1885-1886 Onerdar72TOO.;, 25 Sek a Sy a Maen | lea oon melon re