ON PURCHASING BLOOD STOCK.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1823, 24 December 1879, Page 4

ON PURCHASING BLOOD STOCK.

No. 2. £“ Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette and Hotel Courier.”] There can bo no question that the formation of the raceho so to ensure action and success must principally depend upon the propelling power, f r, like the connectingrod in arailway engine, on that the machinery depends. A level, evenly-proportioned, fairsized horse—about fifteen-two, three, or say sixteen, hands is the stamp. Horses are seldom so tall as in their owners’ eyes, the deduction ct an inch from his asseated standard being about the true mark. Long, low, and level is the best line to be guided by. Perhaps one of the moat important points to have regard to is the formation of of the chest, for where yon find the chest very broad, and the animal standing very wide on the g oitud, y--u may pass him as no racehorse. On the other hand, some of the speediest, stoutest, and longest runners, as well as best w, igt t carriers, have been very narrow between the forearms and forelegs. Fisherman was an example of bis class, and many of his stock which we have seen race in Australia inherit the same marked peculiarity. Fijlurmau is almost the last remaining descendant of the Heron blood, and we frequently think it is a pity he was allowed to depart to the colonies. Though he had many detractors, no one daro assert but that he whs a nonpareil in his day, and wo feel assured that his name in the colonies will be' handed down to posterity as the founder of a race of equine successful giants. Many animsls are flat-ribbed, and have an extraordinary appearance of weakness behind the saddle, being of great length in that respect, yet they stay well. Lilian, Mr Sarille's Queen Plater, was a good specimen of the stamp. Too Touchstone breed are especially so, but then they have with it the good qualities of muscular loins, fine quarters and thighs, with propelling power; their hind quarters well turned under, and they seldt m throw curbs. One of the most important points to_ which the attention of purchasers should be directed is the “ temper.” nothing being more hereditary or more fatal to the racehorse than the want of it. It is, therefore, moat necessary, as far as possible, to arrive at information as to the antecedents of brood mares in this respect. True, a disposition to bad temper may be considerably overcome, if not completely eradicated, by proper treatment, always taking care to place young horses under the charge of steady persons, who will not, on the one hand, play tricks with them, or, on the other, abuse them ; for want of heart or pluck in man or beast is fatal in many instances. They should, from their earliest handling, be kept in firm but kindly subjection. A happy medium between kindness and chastisement should be observed. Teach the young idea how to obey when young. Prince Charlie was a noble example of a good but high-tempered thoroughbred. Young stook are frequently kept too much confined, and do not get half the exercise which they should have from the very day they are f.ialed, for, bearing in mind that like other anima'a by nature formed for speed, it is natural to suppose that their joints and muscles must bo pr, psrly afforded the means of development, and every facility to promote freedom of action, in fact, to “run faster and show more speed than any other;” and we believe the failure of the Royal Hampton foals may be traced to this. Suppose theo, that deer, greyhounds, foxes, hares, or any other animal by nature speedy, were to be kept confined and denied liberty of exercise, what chance would they have, reared in that domesticated manner, with those in their wild and natural state 1 Look at a wild bird, tamed by constant confinement in a cage ! Liberate it —let it fly. See bow weak it is on its wings, and how unable to cope or compete with its fellow kind, who have been accustomed to constant freedom of flight. The foal, from the moment it is dropped, should have plenty of space to give fre-'dom to its limbs, and avoid the possibility of it becoming in the slightest degree confined, or its freedom of action lessened. Confinement, or want of expansion of the muscles and joints must necessarily materially deprive the animal of its natural speed, for common reason dictates that the racehorse, above all other animals, must not, and cannot be, an exception. Onr particular reason for directing the reader’s attention to this fact is that, as everybody knows, or ought to know, “ that practice makes perfect.” IL>w can people expect their “ caged up,” half-exercised young ones to equal or contend with those that have not only had their natural comforts [attended to otherwise, but, in this respect, a special paddock to exercise in unmolested ? —not allowing- on the one hand, their joints to become stiff from ordinary exercise, or on the other, to become strained, tending to cause curbs, spavins, &o. Always bear in mind th at it is much easier to become a purchaser than to find, one. Parties should be cautions before investing. Remember, in buying a yearling, it is not only the first outlay that has to be considered. Frequently the youngster is overburdened with heavy engagements, the liability of which the purchaser at once incurs.

Looking through the sale paddock at Doncaster this year, wo could have pointed out to you heaps that are “made up” for sale with Brummagem polish. They look well to the eye, being apparently fine grown and well fed, yet, in reality, have lost, to a certain extent, their natural freedom of action, from the fact that, hot-house fashion, they have been “forced,” yet are not in really good condition, or fit to go into training, some being so fat inwardly that they often go amiss in various ways, upon getting proper exercise or being trained, and frequently thereby become affected in the wind. Overfed and pent up, housed youngsters should, as a rule, be as rigidly avoided as a contagions disease. Such have within them the germs of future trouble. Again, whenever practicable, before you purchase a yearling, become acquainted with the dam, her peculiarities and characteristics, also with the Srevious stock, if any, she has thrown. Good ams are better than bad dams any day— Pocahontas, Princess of Wales, and Queen Mary to wit. Many yearlings are handsome and well formed when, quite suddenly, they take a change to an amazing extent —sometimes improving with rapidity, at others deteriorating materially. Even as it is with mankind, where we frequently see fine children degene-ate into shrunken men, or vice versa, so it is with the equine race — ergo, we impress upon the intending purchaser the desirable precaution of ascertaining how previous youngsters have, to nse a racing phrase, “come on” from yearlings to two and three-year olds. Many yearlings are undersized, yet how wonderfully, if the sires and dams are large, though frequently small sires, and as Lecturer and Hermit, get Brobdignagian stock —Ambergris by Hermit is the ‘ ‘ tallest ” winning racehorse we can call to mind, whilst Lecturer and Globule were two of the smallest; but depend upon it, if yearlings are forced for sale, they soon become stunted in growth ; they may thicken, but they will not grow in proportion. Frequently stoppage in growth happens when young stock have changed into bad hands, or for sickness, or lack of attention and watohfnlness. Care should be taken in administering medicines to yearlings—their constitutions are not set for strong purgatives. Perhaps the best, most simple, and least dangerous medicine a trainer can employ is linseed oil, especially when the coats are found cold or staring, or the animal losing in flesh and condition ; and for all horses and any animals there is no food more beneficial than a little linseed meal or oilcake for putting up condition and otherwise improving health. With yearlings ©specially it will make immediate and marked improvement. The coats that have been staring in an incredibly short space of time become like satin, and the animals in all other respects make vast progress. Its effect is very similar beneficially to the effect cod liver oil has upon a worn, emaciated, and shattered constitution.