130 THE HORSE AND THE WAR 



belief handed down from generation to generation, and it will be understood, 

 therefore, that the notion was far too deeply rooted to be shaken by anything 

 but the most convincing proof. If these prominent English judges of horses 

 were not convinced, they were at least made to doubt their old beliefs. Every- 

 thing that has happened in connection with the remount side of the war has 

 gone to prove the urgency of instituting at once an Army horse supply in this 

 country which shall be based on those lessons. Therefore it cannot be too 

 clearly understood that the movement which has brought about the introduc- 

 tion of the Percheron to this country is dictated by no desire to harm existing 

 breeds and the interests connected with them, but to found the right war-horse 

 for the time to come. We may hope that after this hell on earth there will be 

 no wars, but wise administrators must be prepared for anything, and least of 

 all for a sudden reformation of the world and its peoples. If the Percheron 

 should also fulfil agricultural requirements and ordinary draught purposes in 

 commerce, so much the better. His coming will more than ever have been 

 justihed. 



