44 C3YOLOPEDIA OF LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



VI. Horses of Asia. 



Aside from th- modern breeds of Euro[)e which will be treated of separ* 

 ately, the Arabian is the most cclcl^ratcd and undoubtedly combines 

 more good qualities than any other Asiatic l)reed. 



In India there are many horses of more or less repute, the most valu- 

 able of which is said to be the Turco, a cross between the Turcoman, a 

 breed of South Tartar}^ and the Persian horse. It seems to be a fine 

 animal, as it is said to be stately in movement as it is beautiful in form, 

 and tractable in disposition. With the exception of the Turcoman, or 

 horse of Soath Tartary, the Tartar and Calmuck horses are small, and 

 jil shaped. They have the reputation, like our Indian ponies, of being 

 able to perform long journeys under heavy burdens, while subsisting on 

 the most indifferent food. 



The horses of China are also small with but little excellence in any 

 point. Ill shaped and spiritless, they seem effete like their masters, 

 who possessing the most ancient civilization of the earth, were slowly 

 Init surely retrograding, until they came into contact with the civilization 

 of Europe. 



In Turkestan there appear to be two distinct races of horses. One is 

 described as being heavy-headed, ewe-necked, with long legs and weak 

 bodies ; while the other has high crests and long bodies with limbs of 

 good bone and substance. In Bokhara, is a small, stout, shaggy breed 

 of horses, with very long manes and tails ; they are called Kussaks, and 

 are considered excellent little animals. 



Vn. European Horses. 



In the chapters devoted to special breeds, the more important will be 

 treated of separately. We shall only notice here such as have no promi- 

 nence among the celebrated sub-families of the horse. 



The German States have horses noted chiefly as being large, well- 

 formed and well-adapted to the purposes of heavy draft. Belgium and 

 Holland also have breeds of horses large, strong and well-formed. The 

 Flemish horses were at one time much valued in England for draft and 

 heavy coach hor.ses, and they undoubtedly form one of the principal ele- 

 ments in the pedigree of some of the more celebrated of the English 

 horses. 



The Hungarian horses are supposed to have the same general origin 

 with the German horses. They are, however, lighter, more active, show 

 more spirit and better action, which is probably due to a more recent 

 infusion of oriental blood. 



Italy has not as good horses now as formerly. Some of them however, 

 are large, handsome, spirited animals, which do good service in carriage 



