52 



which covers the whole foot. The Russians have discontinued the 

 use of this shoe, since their improvement in veterinary knowledge. 



The method of riding among the Tartars, generalh^ is that in use 

 with the Turks, and all the eastern nations. They ride very short, and 

 the knees consequently much bent, a seat on horseback which would 

 be extremely painful to Europeans, but which seems to accord with 

 the general sitting, or rather squatting posture of the Asiatics. They 

 use broad Turkish stirrups. 



These uncivilized, or half-civilized horsemen, seldom undertake an 

 expedition, without the allowance of three Horses to one rider, as a 

 provision in case of accident, or of a Horse knocking up, a thing 

 which must frequently happen with Horses, in our phrase, having 

 no meat in them. And perhaps this circumstance does not tally 

 very exactly, w^ith the high-flown stories of Tartar Horses travelling 

 hundreds of miles, in the short time lately stated. Probably, the tri- 

 fling article of a few fresh Horses may have been omitted in those 

 reports; and whenever a match against time, shall take place over the 

 plains, either of the Kalmucks or the Teberkesses, even if it be only a 

 hundred miles in twelve hours, by a picked Horse from the step, 

 I shall make bold to back old time, although at odds, provided 

 always, that the ground be measured. The custom of taking spare 

 Horses, is very ancient, and must ever be necessary, where the care of 

 Horses is neglected, and the animals, in course, but poorly calcu- 

 lated for lasting exertions. The cavalry of the ancient Gauls was 

 styled Trimarkisia, because each soldier had the attendance of three 

 Horses. 



By a curious old law, it Avas ordained in Russia, that no Horse 

 should carry above fifteen pud, each pud weighing forty pounds, 

 during the summer season; and in winter, with sledges, not more 

 than thirty. Now if the Russian agree with our pound weight, 

 the summer Horse-load must be upwards of forty-two stone, which 

 one would rather suppose a cart-load. Doubtless, the management 

 of Horses in Russia must, at this day, be in a state of considerable 

 improvement, from the number of grooms, as well as of Horses, 



which 



