b 



536 THE HISTOEY OF THE HORSE 



by judicious crossing and by the careful selection of parents. During 

 the time the Romans were extending their conquests in Britain distinct 

 evidence is afforded, not only of the vast numljer of horses that existed in 

 the country, but also of the large importation of them by the Romans. 

 When in 54 B.C. Caesar landed a second time in England, he brought 

 with him 20,000 foot and a very powerful body of cavalry, with which 

 he defeated the petty prince Cadwallon in every action. So numerous 

 were the horses of the Britons, however, that their leader was able to 

 bring 4000 chariots to impede the Roman advance. The imported Roman 

 horses no doubt were of a mixed breed, whose ancestral line of descent 

 during centuries had been improved by careful supervision; consequently 

 these animals, being much larger than the native ponies, would be capable 

 by intercourse between them of producing "fresh crosses of good blood" 

 in which both great quality and size might be anticipated. During the 

 400 years the Roman sway continued, horses from the Continent were 

 constantly landed on our shores, and British ponies were also transported 

 to Rome. Subsequent to the departure of the Romans from Britain the 

 invasions of other nations led to the further introduction of foreign horses. 

 Saxon and Danish horses found their way into this country, and thus 

 laid the foundation for the production of improved breeds. Little specific 

 mention is made of the British horse until 631, when Bede informs us 

 that the prelates, who had previously performed their journeys on foot, 

 at this date rode on horseback, and always used mares instead of horses 

 as a mark of humility. 



When Judith, the daughter of Charles the Bald, king of France, 

 came to this country on her marriage with Ethelwolf, we learn she was 

 attended by numerous horsemen who rode "magnificent Spanish horses"; 

 but it is not until the reign of Alfred the Great, the fourth son of 

 Ethelwolf, that we obtain any distinct information that horses received 

 especial care, or that their propagation was intelligently sui^ervised. This 

 prince was well qualified to inaugurate this imjDortaut business, as he 

 had visited Rome, where he met many learned churchmen and others, 

 from whom he received not only his early lessons in religion and in 

 secular matters, but also in equestrian exercises, in which the patrician 

 Roman youth took a great delight. This youthful visit to Rome ^ilaced 

 him in a position to make constant observations, and particularly concern- 

 ing the various breeds of horses, from among which those most consj^icuous 

 for their beauty and other qualifications could be selected. There is 

 no doubt the pastimes indulged in by the Romans did not escape the 

 notice of Alfred, and when he arrived at man's estate he was possessed 

 of such knowledge as enabled him to inaugurate a system of horse- 



