THE THOEOUGH-BEED HOESE. 297 



formed, and of good spirit and action. They are not generally 

 over twelve hands high. They are found in a semi-wild state 

 in the forests, and taken up when wanted for use. The Ice- 

 land horse — by some said to be of Swedish origin, by others of 

 Scotch — is small and active, and relies upon his own resources 

 for sustenance. They are caught and shod when wanted by 

 the peasants. The Flemish and Batch horses are strong, large 

 and well formed. They are superior for heavy draught. They 

 have been made to improve the English cart-horse. Frame 

 produces several breeds of horses. They are adapted to the 

 saddle, the light carriage, and for cavalry. The Norman is the 

 most prized. The Spanish horse, early celebrated for his many 

 elegant qualities, was still more highly improved by the ad- 

 mixture of Barbary blood, resulting from the conquest of the 

 country by the Moors. The Sjmnish horse is decidedly fine, 

 and shows indisputably his nobility of ancestry. The Italian 

 horses once possessed some celebrity, but have no superior merit 

 at the present "day. Some of the Neajpolitan horses are large 

 and imposing in appearance, and suited for the carriage. 

 Italy has degenerated, and so have her horses, but it is hoped 

 the sun of her glory may yet return again. 



THE ENGLISH HORSE. 



In Grreat Britain there are a great variety of horses to be 

 found. But there are certain breeds which it is necessary 

 to describe, in order to the more full understanding of our 

 own stock of horses, which are, to a very great extent, de- 

 rived from the English. 



THE THOROUGH:BRED HORSE. 



I shall not trouble the reader with the lengthy history of 

 the various stages of improvement through which the Eng- 

 lish thorough-bred, or race-horse, has passed. In no country 

 has so much attention been paid to developing the running 

 qualities of the horse, and it is quite certain in none has 



