THE LIVE STOCK JUDGE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6679, 30 November 1908, Page 3

THE LIVE STOCK JUDGE

A GOOD EXAMPLE

Almost invariably the live stock judge in this country is a nuiu who knows his business and can place the tickets with a fair degree of satisfaction, it is neldom found. however, that lie it> as adept at describing the quality of the animals ho has adjudicated on or can ispeak well ait the annual gatherings usually held in connection with our agricultural -shows on the many points which must airb-n in tho course c/i lim work, and which would bo of interest and of vast importance to exhibitors and farmers generally. There arc exccpfcious to tliis general wcni.vncss in the judge, however, and Mr ‘leddy ()’l'ovlce. the popular light horse authority of Auckland—a son of Sir -Maurice O’liorke. and a* good an amateur rider as evor crossed a pigskin —is one oi them. Mr O’Rorke judged at tho Now Plymouth show on Wednesday and Thursday, and replying to the toasting of tho judges at iho annual dinner of tho society, lie spoke in a manner which did a man good to hear. He referred to detail matter* in hi« work during tho day, and dwelt at some length on two vital matters, which it would be better for A. and P. Societies and horse breeders wore they dealt with by other horse judges. Those were only breeding from sound stock and the proper education of the horse, two matters, by the way, which are never taken as uoi-iously c-s they should he by New Zealand breeders of horseflesh. FACTS TO MEMORISE.

Great care, said Mr O’Rorke, should bo taken by farmers to breed only from horses which were froo from, any hereditary Zealand was destined to become a profit source of remounts for other countries, and it was therefore imperative that disease should bo eliminated as much ns possible from our breeding stocky Germany was now baying in Australia. , A big trade was about to open up for New Zealand, and the Government should assist breeders to bo prepared for it as much ns possible. The price nf horses had advanced tremendously at Home during the past few years. At the last Dublin horse show horses wont up to oCI2OO. and this for hunters which’had not gained a prize. Mr O’Rorke declared his belief in tho fact that the breeding of remounts would be n very payable proposition for Now Zealand farmers. The important suggestion was made by Mr OMlorke, already reported in these columns, that a system of premiums for stallions travelling in the different districts of the country should be established, his idea being based no doubt on the King's premium .scheme of England. tho objective of which is to encourage farmers to breed remounts of the desired stamp. EDUCATING THE HOUSE. Mr O’Rorke's - reference to proper breaking in of the horse was most timely, for it is a subject to which far too little attention is paid in this country, saving of time being considered more essential than good manners in the subject. Mr O’Rorkc laid great stress on the question of broaking-iu. Ho generally found, ho said, when, he mounted a horse in the show ring that it was very badly mouthed. It was all very well to get on tho young horse and lot him buck like blazes; but that was not the way to make a comfortable hack out of him. It was n pleasure to meet with an -exception. to the general rule in n- 1ior«o ho had ridden in the show that day (Mr J. Davidson’s Lochabcr), one of the most mannerly horses he had ever crossed. He was sure time had been spent and care had been taken in the breaking of him. Mr O'Rorko- congratulated the society on offering ft prize for manners ami pace—ono of the best prizes which could be given in any show.