THE BREEDING OF HUNTERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1853, 27 May 1887, Page 7

THE BREEDING OF HUNTERS.

The following extracts from an article on this subject, which appeared in a recent number of the Mark Lar>e Gazette, should be Interest : —

THE SIRE TO USB.

Where a thoroughbred can be got strong enough to suit the mares of a country he should in all cases be preferred. The difficulty is to get them strong enough. The carrying of light-weights has reduced the strength of the racer under the saddle, and the keystone of the bridge is the weakest part about it. Racehorses have been bred for 40 years to carry boys, not men, and cannot be expected to gallop well with 13st weights on their backs. How different this from the days when the Cleveland, previous to road-making and the general use of waggons, was bred to carry a quarter of a ton slung at either side. Weight carrying was often as much studied as it is now neglected. The thoroughbred is therefore not so useful for crossing as he would appear to be. Still he is the best that can be used with safety and to be preferred, though a slight stain on a good-looking animal should be no objection. A low set thoroughbred horse should be preferred if the military and tramway market for misfits is to be considered ; a high steeple-built horse " all over a racer," is not the one to get animals suitable for any race or country farmers' mares, and should be avoided. Performances on the turf go for little in breeding hunters, and a full brother to a Derby winner, though he may never have heard a saddling bell ring, will most likely prove the besb horse of the stud.

THE SIARES TO BREED FROM.

The old gig mare, useful for odd jobs and driving to mai-ket, never being put to the plough, is scarce from the reasons adduced. If there is about the farm, however, a nice

light mare with well-set shoulders, tHe ihuviems being well placed for jumping, little lair on the leg, clear hocks, and some obliquity about the pasterns, with looks of quality, do not try to breed a dray horse from her. The result would be disappointing. Mate her with a first-class hunter-get-ting sire, and something at least marketable will be the result. If a rare good gelding, it may attract attention, and here comes in the benefit of registration. One single success will raise the value of the progeny, and the mare may be worth £100 per annum. Let the fillies be kept where possible, and served with the best procurable sire again, and soon there will be plenty of first-class light-legged horses in this country for all purposes. HUNTING MEN AND HUNTER BREEDING.

It must be apparent to all that fine thoroughbred stallions travelling in prescribed districts every eight years can do but a little good. But the Royal Society merely mean premiums for such horses as nest-eggs. Every master of hounds should see a premium of at least £150 per annum raised, to secure a horse to follow in succeeding years the royal winners. Look at the farmers of Galloway guaranteeing 90 mares at lOgs a mare for the Clydesdale stallion Macgregor. There are no foxhounds in Galloway, but huntingmen might take a good example from them. £200 is not much from the followers of any single hunt, and there are 150 or more packs of hounds in the Kingdom. There would be 200 if good hunters were cheaper, and the way to make them cheaper is to provide good sires. With this and the Queen's Plate money much good might be done, but the horses must be registered. If there arc horses in the country the Government will pay for thorn, and get them when they want them. Facility for travel increases travel, and there is no knowing what great demand there may yet be for good, light-legged horses in our own country.