20 THE HORSE 



proof of Eastnrn blood.* Every part of the continent, however, follouing 

 ihe »;xaniple of England, has been diligently engaged in the improvement 

 of iis breed, and the German and Prussian horses are now better propor- 

 tionecl, and have considerable endurance, but are still deficient in speed. 

 The Prussian, German, and the greater part of the French cavalry are 

 procured from Holstein. They are of a dark, glossy, bay-colour, with 

 small heads, large nostrils, and full dark eyes, the fire and clearness of 

 wliich seem to denote the inward spirit of the animal. They are beautiful 

 active and strong. 



THE SWEDISH, FINLAND, AND NORWEGIAN HORSE 



Of tlie Swedish horses, Clarke, in his " Scandinavia," says, that they 

 are small but beautiful, and remarkable for their speed and spirit. Those 

 of Finland he describes as yet smaller, not more than twelve hands high, 

 beautifully formed, and very fleet. The peasants take them from the forests 

 when they are wanted for travellers. Although apparently wild, they are 

 under perfect control, and they trot along with ease at the rate of twelve 

 mile an hour. 



The following story is told of one of the Norwegian horses. His master 

 had been dining at a neighbouring town, and, when it was time to return, 

 had exceeded so much, that he could not keep a firm seat in his saddle. 

 The horse regulated himself, as well as he could, according to the un- 

 settled motion of his rider, but, happening to make a fiilse step, the peasant 

 was thrown, and hung with one foot entangled in the stirrup. The horse 

 immediately stopped, and twisting his body in various directions, en- 

 deavoured to extricate his master but in vain. The man was severely 

 hurt, and almost helpless ; but the shock had brought him to his senses. 

 The horse looked at him as he lay on the ground, and, stooping, laid hold 

 of the brim of his hat, and raised his head a little ; but the hat 

 coming off", he fell again. The animal then laid hold of the collar of his 

 coat, and raised him by it so far from the ground, that he was enabled to 

 draw his foot out of the stirrup. After resting awhile he regained the 

 saddle, and reached his home. Grateful to iiis preserver, the man did, 

 what every good feeling bid him, — he cherished the animal until it died of 

 old age. 



Many an English farmer owes a considerable debt of gratitude to his 

 intelligent and faithful servant, who has taken care of him when he was 

 unable to take care of himself, and, possibly, has preserved his life. Let 

 liiin repay the debt by kinder usage. 



THE ICELAND HORSE. 



There are numerous troops of horses in this cold and inhospitable conn- 

 try, descended, according to Mr. Anderson, from the Norwegian horse, but, 

 according to Mr. Horrebow, being of Scottish origin. They are very 

 small, strong, and swift. There are thousands of them in the mountains 

 which never enter a stable, but instinct or habit has taught them to scrape 

 away the snow, or break the ice, in search of their scanty food. A few 

 are usually kept in the stable, but when the peasant wants more he catches 



♦ M. de Biiffon strang-ely afBrins that the Hussars and Hungarians slit 'he noslrils of 

 their hurses with a view to increase their wind, and to prevent their neighing ; and that 

 Hungarian, Croatian, and Polish horses continue to old ag-e to have the mark in all their 

 foreteeth. 



