484 



COLONIAL HORSES. 



Total 



))j 



82 



In Australia many horses, especially old ones, compete 

 in races without their ages being given. These animals are 

 not included in this table. 



" Luckily, in Australia nearly all our great races are 

 long races. Consequently, all our great horses must be 

 long-distance horses, horses of strength and endurance. 

 The turf clubs have it in their hands to improve or dete- 

 riorate the breeds of horses, and they should hold it their 

 bounden duty to do what they can in a right cause, for 

 it is the only productive work which they can show for the 

 thousands that pass through their books. It is indirectly 

 on account of our long races that English breeders have 

 come to Australia for horses of bone and substance. The 

 horse that can win a cup or champion stakes with any- 

 thing like a weight on his back is necessarily the horse to 

 go 100 miles a day if he is needed. The Victoria Racing 

 Club did a national good when they put a stop to hurdle- 

 races of a mile and half " {Crespin). 



Canadian Horses. — It appears that the only two 

 distinct Canadian breeds are French Canadian cobs and 

 Walpole Island ponies. Dr. Rutherford, Chief Veterinary 

 Inspector of Canada, who has most kindly supplied me 

 with illustrations of these animals, tells me that French 

 Canadian cobs (Figs. 495 and 496) stand from about 14 

 hands to 15. i, and that they are descendants of horses 

 imported from France, the blood of which was more or less 

 mixed with that of horses brought from England for army 

 use in early days. During the last twenty or thirty years 



