Management and breeding of horses by Harper Merritt Wesley 1877-

Author:Harper, Merritt Wesley, 1877-
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Horses, Horses
Publisher: New York, Orange Judd company; [etc., etc.]
Published: 1915-03-25T05:00:00+00:00

FIG. 123.—BURRO AT WORK

mule breeding in America, namely, the Andalusian, Maltese, Catalonian, Majorca, Italian and Poitou.

The Andalusian jack. —This breed was developed in southern Spain, particularly in the ancient Kingdom of Andalusia. It is a very ancient and distinctive race, as is evidenced by the statements of the profits arising from its use in propagating mules during the Roman occupation and before the time of Christ. The prevailing color is gray, and often practically white, with black very uncommon. This is a large breed, standing 14.2 to 15.2

hands high. The bone of the leg is large and firm and the breed possesses much substance.

The Andalusian in America. —In 1787 the King of Spain presented to General George Washington a jack and a jennet of this breed, which were taken to Virginia. The jack was called Royal Gift. About the same time General Washington received a Maltese jack, which he mated with the Andalusian jennet. The result of this union was a very famous jack called Compound, which proved to be much more popular as a breeder than Royal Gift, although the latter was selected from the royal stud. A few years later Henry Clay introduced into Kentucky a few jacks of this breed. These two men did much to promote the breed in America. Notwithstanding their influence, however, this breed never found favor in this country, due largely to the gray color, which is very objectionable in America, although a great favorite in southern Spain.

The Maltese jack. —This breed was developed on the Island of Malta, which is located in the Mediterranean Sea. This being a small island, with very poor soil, the number of jacks produced is exceedingly lirrfited. The Maltese jack is the smallest of the more important Spanish breeds, rarely exceeding 14.2 hands high. The color is black or brown, with the latter more characteristic of the breed. The breed is described as of good form with well-carried head and ears. The bone resembles that of the Thoroughbred horse, and the breed is characterized by much life and vigor.

The Maltese in America. —About 1787, Marquis Lafayette and the Knight of Malta each presented General Washington a jack of this breed. It was the present by Lafayette that sired the famous Compound. It is also stated that the frigate Constitution, during her first cruise in the Mediterranean, imported jacks from Malta to the District of Columbia. Not long afterwards others were introduced by officers of the navy, and a few very

THE DOMESTIC ASS

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valuable ones were brought over in merchant's ships. Formerly" the Maltese jacks were broadspread, but in recent years they have become rather unpopular because of their small size;

The Catalonian jack. —^This breed was developed in northeastern Spain adjacent to France, particularly in Catalonia, although it is widespread and often found in France. The color is usually black, and often jet-black, which is marked with light points about the muzzle, eyes and belly. While brown of varying shades is sometimes found, it is uncommon. The hair is naturally thick and short.

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