HORSES PAST AND 

 PRESENT. 



FIRST among animals which man has 

 domesticated, or brought under control to 

 do him service, stands the horse. The 

 beauty of his form, his strength, speed and 

 retentive memory, alike commend him to 

 admiration ; the place he holds, whether in 

 relation to our military strength, our com- 

 mercial and agricultural pursuits, or our 

 pleasures, is unique. Whether as servant 

 or companion of man the horse stands alone 

 among animals. 



There can be no doubt but that the horse 

 was broken to man's service at an early 

 period of the world's history. The art of 

 taming him was first practised by the 

 peoples of Asia and Africa, who earliest 

 attained to a degree of civilisation ; but 

 whether he was first ridden or driven is a 

 question which has often been debated with 



