Wisconsin Farmers' Institutes / Wisconsin Farmers' Institutes : a hand-book of agriculture
(1890)

A WORD ABOUT COACH HORSES

By A.O. Fox. Oregon Wis.

The business of horse breeding in Wisconsin is in its formative period. Within 10 years vast blocks of money have been invested in the business; until today the horses of our state are assessed more for money than all the cattle and sheep and hogs together.

The time has come when we no longer can afford to breed promiscuously; great deliberation must be had in the management of this vast property, if it is to mean a future continuous, financial success for farmers of our state at large.

          The problem of selection is one of all, which we must now study, and upon our comprehension of which must depend our future success as breeders.

The bright sunshine of intelligent thought must pour its grateful rays through dense fog of our stable atmosphere. The day is gone forever, when the farmer can stoop to listen to the senseless harangue of the crossroads “ hoss-man” who, bloated with his own ignorance, pompously seek to extol the qualities of his own stock, by maliciously running down the stock and character of his neighbour.

The breeder must read and study

The farmer of today, who would be a breeder, must read and study, and know for himself the lines of breeding best adapted to his purpose, and to be able to discover at a glance, whether the horse is bred as he requires. He must be able to accept or reject upon his own judgment, and to know that the class of men who stay back in the old ruts and ridicule his choice, are they themselves away short of the standard. Like the old mare of Bobby Burn’s “ they are the relics of the past, they’re old has beens, they’re a be dil’d wie the spavie in their heads.”

As a tribute to the memory of this abominable class of men, well may we join in the sentiment of Junius, in his celebrated letter to the duke of Grafton, that “we owe it to the bounties of Providence that the deepest depravity of the heart is sometimes strangely united with great confusion of the intellect.”

Draft horse vs. trotter

For the past twenty-five years the American horse breeders have been bent upon the production of two extremes, the heavy weight draught horse and our most wonderful American horse product, the lightweight low-striding trotter. These both have their useful spheres, but in the mad and indiscriminate rush

For their acquisition, there has been produced in the one extreme too many big, lifeless flat-footed soft-jointed bullocks, with legs full of coarse hair, of little utility and very short lived; and in the other extreme, we have too many short-necked, narrow chested, nervous little trotters, whose ability to trot is only demonstrated after the expenditure of a snug little sum of money, and which, if they cannot trot, and trot fast, are of very little use to the farmer who had raised them, and must be kept at further expense, until they can be marketed as roadsters at about six years of age. I am well aware that I am on dangerous ground in thus expressing myself, but I am certain that the majority of conservative breeders will endorse my statement, that the breeding of the typical trotting horse for profit, is a very hazardous business for the general farmer to embark in, except he be unusually well posted in pedigrees and possessed of considerable spare capital, a cool head and unerring judgment. (Bear in mind my exceptions).

Coaching horses

Progressive breeders have begun to realize these two dilemmas and they are casting about for the material, with which to establish a class that shall combine to a great extent, the utility of both kinds, without some of their objectionable features; that will meet the popular demand for coaching horses, and that will at the same time perform their full share of farm labour from the time they are three or four years old, until sold off the farm.

In offering to the farmers anything digressing from the common draught horse, there is one important element, which this horse must possess to a great degree in common with the draught horse, or he will not be acceptable, that is, early maturity. The farmer who lives in the great corn belt on lands worth from $40 to $75 per acre, cannot wait five or six years for his horse to reach a remunerative age, and pay taxes and interest on the investment. His horses must begin at three or four years of age to perform the labour of the farm; he must at that age have attained sufficient size and substance to meet the wants of the general public. He should at four years old stand 16 ½  hands high and weigh in plain flesh 1250 to 1350 pounds. He should have a smooth, well-matured body; strong, clean limbs, with plenty of bone; and not a sign of course hair about the limbs or feet. The feet must be of the very best, for in this class of horses above all others, where fine knee and hock action is required, there must be a first-class set of feet to sustain it.

In producing this class of horses, where shall we find the best material? If it were not for the lack of the element of size and its early maturity, I should believe that we should find better results in careful selections among the largest families of the American standard trotting-bred horse than from any other source.

The American trotting bred – horse

We find among the American trotting-bred horses some with high class pedigrees, that combine a strong standard inheritance with the further attributes of style, size and colour with sufficient of the right sort of action; but upon inquiry about the individual we find his qualities not so common to his family, and that he does not import his size and style to his get.

There are a few instances where our best-bred American trotting sires have been celebrated for their size and style of there get. Notably among these are Edwin Forrest 49(saddlebred 1851), Mambrino Patchen 58(standardbred, 1862), Harrison chief 3841,(Saddlebred 1872) and Indian chief 832(Morgan 1857). The Kentucky highlanders have also produced many fine carriage horses.

Undoubtedly among the get of these horses and their descendants are to be found as fine specimens of coachers as are attainable, but there are so few of them that if all were put together, they would not equip more than two or three breeding establishments, and they are not, therefore, as a class, within the reach of most of our farmers.  It is worthy of notice that in looking at the breeding of these named horses, we find a very strong impregnation of thoroughbred blood, especially on their dam’s sides. This coupled with the fact that the best coachers produced in Europe, are strongly of thoroughbred origin, may be of value to us in making our selections.

The Dam

The mares which we have within our reach to breed coachers from, are lacking more in size and bone than in any other quality. Trotting-bred mares can be found in nearly all sections with fair style and action, but they are too small and fine in the bone. It is fair to assume that in breeding for coacher the majority of breeders will use this class of mares because they are the most common and easily obtained, and as a rule the graded draft mare will not be found to possess the ability to reproduce sufficient style and action. Few can afford to import or buy the imported mares. When they can be found there are no better mares for coach horse breeding, than our largest trotting-bred mares, but they are scarce  and are now held in such high esteem, that they are quite as high priced as the best imported mares.

The stallion

In selecting our sire, therefore, for crossing upon these medium sized mares we must look sharply for plenty of size and an abundance of broad clean bone. He must at 4 years old stand 16 to 16 ½ hands high, and weigh in plain flesh, 1300 to 1450 pounds. His colour must be clear and rich and without bad marks. His shoulders should slope gracefully back, and he should stand well up in his withers. He should carry a lengthy well-arched neck surmounted by a cleanly-chiselled head free from meat. He should have a clear, full expressive eye and the visage of a thoroughbred. His back should be of medium length, not too much inclined to arch, and coupled strong in the loins to a long, smooth hip. His tail should come out well up and float gracefully behind when in motion. He should have a good depth of girth, a and a well sprung barrel. His limbs and feet should be absolutely sound, not too long between the joints and not too straight in the hind legs, that he may have his feet well under him, and an easy, graceful hock action. His action should be high, bold and square, with sufficient speed to roll off from eight to twelve miles an hour with ease and grace. His disposition should be spirited and intelligent.

The American Trotter

If, in making this selection, we can find a predominance of these qualities. In a high-bred American trotter, with the ability to reproduce them, I believe we have the best to be had.

If, on the other hand, we are to look abroad, among the European breeds, we must keep clear of the thick-chopped, meaty-hocked draughty sort, and look sharp for high quality with purity of action. Many of the imported horses offered us are very unevenly balanced in their action and are not level. They may lift themselves square in front, and appear well when approaching, but when once their hind end is turned here is noticed a lifeless swinging of the hind parts entirely out of keeping with their forward action; in others with hock action almost to the extent of stringhalts we see stiff bending of the knee, and bad dishing in front. In many the tails are set on too low in the rump, a very y bad fault in the carriage horse.

The French Coacher

Among the several breeds of imported coach horses offered us, I believe the French Coacher to be the best adapted to our needs. He mature very early into a large horse, and while possessing wonderful substance and bone, he still has preserved the high finish of his thoroughbred ancestors, and his action when in motion is the most perfect and most evenly balanced of any of the imported breeds.

The question as to whether the French coacher will reproduce himself on our mares, cannot yet be said to have been fully demonstrated; but is rapidly reaching that point. Many who have  been making this cross for the past several years are highly pleased, and careful observers who have been watching the results, are now beginning to put their money into it, in a manner, which shows their convictions.

A Bone and Muscle Ration

But whatever the sire we use, I believe there is still another important element, the full recognition of which is essential to our success; namely, the kind of feed with which to mature our colts, so as to assist in the development of a large active horse with clean, strong bone, and well muscled throughout. If we may hope to avoid the meaty, lifeless, soft-jointed, round boned sort; if we may expect to develop the bones of our horses to the greatest strength and soundness, we must see to it that our colts food is of the bone and muscle- forming sort.

The recent experiment made in hog feeding by our Prof. Henry, of Wisconsin, by which he shows the wonderful effect of nitrogenous foods upon the strength and quality of the bones and the amount of muscular tissues, is a timely admonition to the western farmers, that if we wish to grow valuable horses, it must be done with less corn, and more of such foods as will give a uniform and even development, that at four years old will produce a strong, sound, whole horse.

CAN THE WISCONSIN FARMER PROFITABLY BREED ROADSTER HORSES?

By John L Mitchell, President of state agricultural society.

If Mr. Morrrison had consulted me about the soundness of a certain horse, my opinion would have had weight, because I deal daily with horse infirmitives. A moot point in pedigree, also would have found me fairly well informed. But the economic question – “ can the Wisconsin farmer profitably breed roadsters?” – I am at a loss to answer with authority.

Recreation exercise and profit

Horse raising and horse driving have been for me a matter of recreation, exercise and health and not of pecuniary profit. I have never overhauled my horse accounts for fear that the balance would be on the wrong side and thereby mar the pleasure of the pursuit. Mr. Morison’s query, however, has led me to a little horse introspection. If not tedious I will give some figures. During the last three years I have sold for cash (No trades or ballooned prices), 15 head of trotting bred animals, as follows: four aged mares at total of $2700; 4 four year olds a $4750; 1 at $1350; 4 yearlings at $740 and two weanlings at $1,100, making the all told, $12390, an average of $688 a head. Eight of these animals were purchases, which, on trial, I thought it advisable to dispose of. The remaining ten wee of my own breeding. The average age of these last, at the time they were sold, were 1 ½ years and they bought an average of $124 per head. With the exception of an aged mare and 3 four year old they had never worn harness. They were sold on their pedigree and individual promise solely.

On their face such prices look profitable. On the expense side, I find that I paid $850 in stud fees for these ten animals. I carry thirty head of horses, more or less. They cost me in board and wages for the men, oats, hay and straw, shoeing, harness, in round numbers $3000 or $100 per head per year Then there is interest on 100 acres of land used for pasturage; interest on money invested in stock and buildings. After figuring this all up I find that my colts at 1 ½ years stand me in $300 apiece, leaving $124 to the good.

Something should be donated for death, disabling accidents and veterinarian in broodmares. Allowing for this I still find myself ahead in the breeding venture, with all the fun, fresh air and the pleasure of hope thrown in.

Roadsters at a Profit

With me, extravagant sums have been paid for brood stock, little attention has been paid to economy in management and no special effort has been made to advance sales, or obtain high prices. Having this in view, I am convinced that the farmer of Wisconsin can raise roadsters at a profit. But to do so, he must give the business close personal attention – neglect and preventable accidents soon ruin the business. Above all must be a liking for the pursuit, a natural gift in that direction.

Wisconsin winters are longer that in more southerly states, where horses can be pastured to advantage. But to counter balance this we have cheaper feed and a more healthful air. The neighbouring state of Michigan is situated very much as we are in the matter of climsate and market. Should Mr. Morrison  ask a Michigan farmer the question, which has been put to me, he would have answered in the affirmative, without hesitation. The production of trotting horses is a great industry in Michigan – one that pays handsomely.

It is true, buyers do not flock to Wisconsin as they do to Kentucky, with overfat purses in search of would be world beaters. Still we have a steady remunerative market for sound, enduring, speedy roadsters. The supply is far from being up to demand.

Richard Richards

That a Wisconsin farmer can raise roadsters profitably has been demonstrated by the late Richard Richards, of Racine. He settled in that country, at an early day. He had little, or no capital. His horse beginning was small. His foundation of stock cost him hundreds where other s expended thousands. But he was a genius in his way. Though the breeding of trotters he accumulated a snug fortune and achieved a national reputation. His methods are instructive. To mate with the common run of mares, he started with a horse called Bellfounder – a horse of size, finish and actions, to messenger and Ziomed. To breed to Bellfounder daughters he went to Kentucky and bought Swigert, by Alexander’s Norman, dam by Mambrino Chief. Swigert proved to be a remarkably successful sire. He has been of great value to this state and the whole northwest. To put the finishing touch, Mr. Richards did not follow the fashion – he kept a little ahead of it. He was prophetic. But he was never blinded by a pedigree. He insisted upon having a horse as well. Him he selected with unerring eyes.

The purse winner – A will o’ the Wisp

While I am confident that on the cheap and fertile lands of Wisconsin and in its salubrious climate, roadsters can be raised profitably, I do not advise the farmer to try his hand at producing the track trotter. He will waste his midnight oil in dog – earring them 2:30 list. The purse winner is a will o’ the wisp which he will capture only in his dreams. There is not one in a hundred ever earns his oats in actual races. The prices paid for the Axtells and the Sundols are dazzling, the thousand of failures are lost in obscurity.

The Wisconsin farmer need not face the financial result of the breeding of fine horses, providing he applies himself faithfully to the business. The horse breeders’ calling is a high one. Let him bring to it not only his intelligence, but his conscious. The handiwork of the manufacturer perishes and leaves no trace behind. But the horse breeder builds for all time. Let him therefore devote himself to the creation of a type of horses possessing beauty, action, soundness and good sense, so that to the remotest generation, they may carry their owners with pleasure and safety to the end of the road.