Breeding Hunters in England. (From the Live Stock Journal)

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2060, 19 September 1885, Page 6 (Supplement)

Breeding Hunters in England. (From the Live Stock Journal )

Mn. Jacob Whson's proposal th*t a hunters' ntod-book should not at onco be proccrded yiith seems to have cviedom iv it. In drawing oat the regulations for ench books Imid and fast rules would have to bo laid down, arid these it woifld be found, afcr animalH wero registered, the Council would have some difficulty in departing from, even where some departure might be found absolutely necessary. Some simple form of registration is all that seems to be wanted in the meantime ; and no doubt, after the committee has looked carefnlly into the whole circiimstftnces surrounding the breeding of hunting hoTses, they may be able to decide upon a course which can be energetically carried out. At present the course does not fifsra very clear.

SrvERNL attaoka hava been made in the propocala to go back to the oart-borso for a little strength for tho hunter, but the arguments adduced are chipfly to the effect that the first crosses would provfi lacking in quality and too soft for the field. No doubt many of suoh crosses would prove disappointing, but if the fillies were kept and served 6y|a thoroughbred horse of quality very little coraplaftt, we should imagine, would havo to be made about the produce if the cart mare originally selected possessed symmetry, Btyle, courage, and action, and an easy temper. A great deal, indeed, would depend in suoh experimenting- on the style and stamp of the mare, selected to put to the thoroughbred horse.

Ik regard to breeding from young, or rather untaunted marcs, the experience of some seems to be that it will pay to serve suoh when rising thrpo yeara old, and after she hag weaned her foal bejjn to put her to work. Whether a mare will prove as good for auoh after throwing a foal, and take kindly to fenoing, none, however, say. No doubt, if well handled, the would ; nnd, of course, it must he a conaolinp; fact to the rider to know that ho has one off a very good sort coming on st home. In breeding from the half-bred cart mare (which would not bp hunted), if eke threw three filly foals by the time she wai eight years old the breeder would have the foundation of a very good stud.

We are glftd to see that The Daily Tel?(]T(rpl\, in a well- reasoned leading article, babks op Mr. Gilbeys advocacy for nsing the draught-horee for the purpose of getting a little of the- weight of bone and the strength wo have lost during the past few years. No doubt there wiJl be numerous disappointments in the first croia, bnt in the *eoond or third crossing back always to the thownph. bred, this should come right. The experiments, however, Bhonld always be carefully registered, and we will be glad, till a system of registration is established, to record any canes where a thoroughbred horse has been put to ft cart mare, or r ice vrrtd.