Hades in South Cauterbury.

Otago Witness, Issue 1989, 10 April 1890, Page 7

Hades in South Cauterbury.

Ediiok \ViTNKS.v-W' r: I" sa >" lll 'ta °* tbo 20fch ult. I considered the inferior quality of tho South Canterbury draught horse* bo be due to the injudicious manner iv which entires were selected for mares. In this note I shall deal with lighter stock, as seen passing up and down our streets. To view hacks in bulk aud proceeding at easy pace, one ha 9to wait for a " sympathetic or popular funeral," when his desire will be gratified, Taking them all round, they are a very inferior lot. The sole cause of this is due to the manner of selection of entire*. An entire may be as "sound as a bell," well shaped in body, and all his other parts in keeping with the rest of his economy, yet he may be most unfit to produce the desired foal from a given mare, although just the "thing" for others. What I have noticed lately as congenital transmissions ia the hacks up here are a decided pre-

disposition in some to ringbone, in others to side bones, splints arising on b'oth^ cannons without any injury or other influence, a few cases of broken wind, some roarers, and a few oases of wind suckers. That the most of these ailments are due to congenital influences lam positive. Some of the best bodiedhacks up here are curby — a condition whioh arises in almost all cases from hereditary taint, if from iojury it seldom embraces more than one limb. Due regard should be paid to the condition of the entire chosen; great care should be taken to ascertain that he is free from hereditary taint, and should the least taint of " string halt " or other such falling present itself, he should be discarded &to once. I may caution owners of breeding mares by informing them that the owners of some entires employ fat in the embellishment of their sires in much the same way as the carpenter does putty— viz., in the filling up of perceptible defeots. It is therefore advisable to be very careful in choosing a " filled out entire," as in almost all cases it is used for a purpose. In South Canterbury we have many carriage horses, and, as that important section deserves special consideration, with your permission, I will defer it for a short time.— Yours, &c, N. Marquis, M R.C.V.S., London. Timaru, April 2.