THE ITALIAN HORSE. 45 



It has been stated that the most valuable native horses are those of Normandy ; 

 perhaps they have been improved by the English hunter, and occasionally by 

 the English thorough-bred horse ; and on the other hand, the English roadster, 

 and the light draught-horse, has derived considerable advantage from a mixture 

 with the Norman, not only in early times when William the Conqueror was so 

 eager to improve the horses of his new subjects by means of those of Norman 

 blood, but at many succeeding periods. 



A certain number of Normandy horses used to be purchased every year by 

 the French government for the use of the other departments. This led occa- 

 sionally to considerable trickery and evil. None of the Norman horses were 

 castrated until they were three, or sometimes four years old ; and then it fre- 

 quently happened that horses of superior appearance, but with no pure blood in 

 them, were sold as belonging to the improved breed, and it was only in their 

 offspring that the cheat could be discovered. The government now purchases 

 the greater part of the Normandy horses in their first year, and brings them up 

 in the public studs. They cost more money, it is true ; but they are better bred, 

 and become finer animals. There is no deception with regard to these horses, 

 and the amelioration of the other breeds is secured. 



Every country that has occupied itself with the amelioration of its breed of 

 horses, has deemed it necessary to have a public register of the names and pro- 

 geny of those of an acknowledged race. England has had its stud-book nearly 

 half a century, containing a list of all the horses of pure blood that have existed 

 in the country. France, in the year 1837, had her first stud-book, in which are 

 inscribed the names of 215 stallions, of pure English blood, imported into France 

 or born there ; 266 Arabs, Barbs, Persian, or Turkish horses ; 274 English mares 

 of true blood, and 41 Eastern mares. Their progeny is also traced, so far as it 

 was practicable. This work will form an epoch in the equestrian annals of that 

 country. 



THE SARDINIAN AND CORSICAN HORSES. 



They are small, well-made, and capable of enduring much fatigue ; as for 

 their other qualities, (and they are not much changed at the present day from 

 what they formerly were,) Blundeville shall speak of them : " The horses 

 that come out of the Isle of Sardygnia and Corsica have short bodyes and be 

 verye bolde and courageous, and unquiet in their pace, for they be of so fierce 

 and hote cholericke complexion, and therewith so much used to running in 

 their countrie as they will stand still on no grounde. And, therefore) this kynde 

 of horse requireth a discreete and pacient ryder, who must not be over hastie in 

 correcting him for feare of marring him altogither * " 



THE ITALIAN HORSE 



Was once celebrated for the beauty of his form and his paces ; but, like every- 

 thing else in that degraded country, he has sadly degenerated. The Neapolitan 

 horses were particularly remarkable for their size and majestic action ; there 

 was, however, a degree of clumsiness about the heads, and forehand, and 

 general appearance, which the seeming grandeur of their action would not 

 always conceal, and they were occasionally untractable and vicious to an alarm- 

 ing degree. They are now much deteriorated, and, in fact, with but few 

 exceptions, scarcely of any value. 



Some of the Italian races are a disgraceful burlesque on those of other countries. 

 At Rome they have become a necessary appendage to the annual carnival, and there 

 is no other of the pastimes of that gay season in which the people take an equal 

 delight. Some of the horse-races resemble those in other countries, and are 



* Bhmdeville's Four Chiefest Offices. 



