482 THE PEOPLE'S FARJf AND STOCK CYLOCPED1A. 



the country was well suited to raising horses, because of the 

 fine climate, rich pastures, and abundant feed at all seasons of 

 the year, so the foals never had check in growth. 



The Demands of War Mould the Type. The use 

 of the horse in their mode of warfare led to the selection of 

 the hardiest and most imposing in appearance. Great weight 

 and powerful action were requisites in their onslaughts, when 

 riders were unhorsed and horses hurled to the ground by the 

 violence of their collisions. In such uses the horse of greatest 

 weight and activity had the advantage. The feed, climate, and 

 necessities of their uses developed a powerful race. But the 

 high courage and docility and activity of these great horses 

 point to a large infusion of Oriental blood. This came with the 

 frequent incursions from the south, invited by the fertility and 

 abundance which have characterized this eastern coast of 

 France for centuries. The Saracens, three hundred thousand 

 strong, as far back as 732 A. D., invaded this land, and left the 

 finest blood of Arabia and Barbary on the plains, between 

 Poictiers and Tours, in the possession of Charles Martel and his 

 valiant followers. The crusaders brought another installment 

 of the choicest blood of Arabia. 



These were some of the means by which the noble race was 

 made more noble within the time of well-authenticated history. 

 From the same we may learn of frequent irregular supplies of 

 fresh blood from Arabia and Andalusia. Then we come to the 

 men of wealth and public spirit, like Lord Montdoubleau, 

 Geoffroy IV, Rotrou, Count of Mallart, Count of La Perche, 

 Count Roger, and many others of the nobility who interested 

 themselves in the improvement of the horses of France. As 

 late as 1820 we find the government of France fostering the 

 breeding of horses and the historic gray stallions, Godolphin 

 and Gallipoli, left their impress in the studs of the Empire. 



The Evolution of the Percheron. The country of La 

 Perche was especially favorable in elements of soil and climate 

 for producing horses. The people, too, were, and are, as fond 

 of their favorites as ever were the Arabs in their best estate. 

 The pride of the people was gratified by the fostering care of 



