66 



THE DIFFERENT BREEDS OF ENGLISH HORSES. 



to our sporting men and breeders. Mr. Percivall has rightly stated the cause, 

 but there are some circumstances connected with this pre-eminence that may 

 give occasion for serious reflection, and which will be best considered as the 

 respective breeds of horses pass in review. 



CHAPTER IV. 

 THE DIFFERENT BREEDS OF ENGLISH HORSES. 



THE RACE-HORSE. 



^M- : :v 



THE COLONKL. 



THERE was much dispute with regard to the origin of the thorough-bred horse. 

 By some he was traced through both sire and dam to Eastern parentage ; while 

 others believed him to be the native horse, improved and perfected by judicious 

 crossing with the Barb, the Turk, or the Arabian. " The Stud- Book," which 

 is an authority acknowledged by every English breeder, traces all the old racers 

 to some Eastern origin, or at least until the pedigree is lost in the uncertainty 

 of an early period of breeding. If the pedigree of a racer of the present day 

 is required, it is traced back to a certain extent, and ends with a well-known 

 racer ; or if an earlier derivation is required, that ends either with an Eastern 

 horse or in obscurity. 



