"793' on the breed of Carnwath horses 30t 



tury ago. It is said, that one of the predecefsors of ilic 

 present duke of Hamilton, brought with him to Scotland 

 six coach horses, originally from Flanders, and sent them 

 to Strathaven, the castle of which was, at that time, ha- 

 bitable. The horses were all stallions, of a black, colour, 

 and remarkably handsome. The farmers in the neighbour- 

 hood, readily embracing the favourable opportunity, croC- 

 sed this foreign breed with the common Scotch kind, an » 

 thereby procured a breed superior to either. From this 

 a strong and hardy race of horses was soon spread through 

 the country, but in many places, owing to neglect, was 

 left to degenerate. By want of proper attention, we of- 

 ten let slip the most favourable opportunities of improve- 

 ment, and suffer unmanly indolence to deprive us cf 

 many blefsings we might otherwise enjoy. A high de- 

 gree of merit, however, is due to the farmers in the up- 

 per part of the county, for their unremitting endeavours 

 to improve this excellent breed. They pay strict atten- 

 tion to every circumstance respecting the colour, the 

 softnefs and hardnefs of the hair j length of the body, neck, 

 and legs j but chiefly to the fliape of the back, breast, 

 and flioulders of their breeders. No inducement what- 

 ever can lead them to encourage the breed of a horse 

 that is not pofsefbcd of the best qualities. Providence 

 commonly favours the attentive and the diligent. Their 

 laudable attempts have proved to be succefsful j and 

 Britain is now reaping the merited fruits of their well 

 directed care. Every farm, almost, through the extent 

 of several -jarilhes, supports 6, or at least 4 mares, the 

 half of which are allowed, annually, to foal. The colts * 

 are mostly sold at the fairs of Lanark and Carnwaih, 

 and bring to the owners from jl, to 20I. etch. They 



* The colts, when a year old.'are called tomontah, a provincial 

 contraction for tvvclvi'-moath ol(j. 



