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BREEDING FOR THE HUNTER TYPE. James C. Cooloy. of the Meadow Brook Hunt, who recently returned from England, whither he went to purchase a hunter sire for a syndicate with a farm near Warn-ntou. Va.. was greatly impressed with the manner .11 which the breeding of high-class hunters is fostered in Great Britain. When seen a l.-w days ;iki he said concerning his trip. ••I was in London when the last hunter stallion show was held, and it was a treat to see the horses that were browght to Royal Agricultural Hall for competition. England, which is a great grazing louutry. and which has produced the finest thoroughbred in the world, is giving the subject of kecee breeding greater attention, from a governnogit.il point of view, sine the taking over of the Tally Stud of Colon-1 William Hall Walker, and every-wh.-n- I found the greatest enthusiasm and interest in the new departure. In the production of the liunt-r type Croat Britains success is due in a great mojs-ire to the kimlv aid of the National Hunter BtallkH! Assoeiatiou. which, through the liberality of it-- premium system, makes the keeping of a good sire a lucrative enterprise. This organization has some of the most progressive men in the empire on its roster, and it it has perfected a pre- miuiii .system which works admirably. England, Scotland ami Wales are divided into breeding dis triets in which fairs are held. The owner ,,f a ttaltioa anywhere in the Kingdom may elect to show his horse at any fair, but if be wins a Kings Premium, which is the gift of the government and is worth the equivalent of #750 in our money, he is eonipelled to keep the sire for service in the particular district in which he was exhibited for the ensuing breeding season. In each division a certain number of Kings Premiums are awarded, and on the afternoon of the last day of the show all Kings Ir- mium winners are judged for the superpremium of one hundred pounds additional. At the recent show seven of these were awarded. "The services of these horses," continued Mr. Cooloy, "may be had by the farmers for one pound, and the maximum is placed at ninety mares. The National Association adds to this a fee of two MUda for each mare served and tin additional sum for each mare foaling to one of these horses. So that it is possible to earn a profit of §2.500 or more with a good sire. "The mares that these stallions serve." resumed Mr. Cooley "are. in few cases, thoroughbreds, but they are of distinctly good breeding and the results of these matings are seen throughout the kingdom, which still contains many fine horses despite the demands of the army. Of course, all this breeding is distinct from the thoroughbred industry, but there is nothing to prevent anybody racing the produce of these unions if the animal has merit and is clean bred and eligible for registration. It is the aim. however, to produce hunters of the type for which Great Britain and Ireland are famous and which are a source of inestimable economic value. "I am glad to see the example of England taking root in this country, where there is a growing sentiment for the production of more and lietter horses. The Genesee Valley in New York State and the district surrounding Warrenton in Virginia seem to be taking the lead, but the various hunt clubs are playing their part. What doesnt go to the hunting field finds its way to the army, and the production of the European ty]ie of cavalry remount is almut the finest line of endeavor that offers itself at this time. To foster this work in America is a matter of vital importance and the aid which the Jockey Club is rendering is of such a character that every -lMidy interested in the welfare of this country should do what they can to promote it. The area for the development of systematic horse breeding in the United States is immense and the matter is one which the government would do well to take up seriously. To co-operate as closely with active racing associations as foreign countries have done would, perhaps, lie too radical a step to take at once. But that the United States will eventually come to it is certain. "In the meantime." said Mr. Cooley in conclusion, "individuals and organizations can assist in the work. There are many stallions of the proper type racing which would lie of great benefit to the country if placed in grazing communities and mated with mares whose owners would, no doubt, welcome the opportunity to breed t- registered thoroughbred sires. We should then have thousands of foals coming along each year. Care should be taken that none but sound horses with good shoulders and not less than eight and one-quarter inches of lwne in front and nine inches behind be utilized. If they have good shoulders they will have good action. Clean hocks and straight hind legs are another requisite and still another essential is an equable temper. I know of no more important qualification than temper when it comes to remounts. The bail-tempered race horse is bad enough, but the bad-tempered riding mount is infinitely worse."
