14S THE HISTORY AND ART 



The Norway horfes arc better for riding, than 

 draught ; their walk is cafy, they are quick, active, 

 full of courage, and very fure-footed ; fo as to be 

 able to go in the bad roads of this kingdom, where 

 the fine Danifli horfes would be fo embarralTed as to 

 endanger their own, and their rider's fafety. When 

 they go down a fteep cliff on ftones laying like Heps, 

 they firfl tread gently with one foot, to try if the ftone 

 they touch is faft ; and in doing this, they muft be 

 left to their own difcretion, or the beft rider would 

 run the rifque of his neck : when they are to go down 

 a very fteep and flippery place, they draw their hinder 

 legs under them in a furprifing manner, and Aide 

 down. They fliew great courage in fighting with 

 bears and wolves, which they are often obliged to do, 

 efpecially with the former ; " for when the horfe per- 

 ceives any of them near, he attacks his antagonift 

 with his fore-feet, which he ufes like Drumjlicks, to 

 ftrike with, and ufually comes off conqueror. Many 

 people would not believe this, till Stadtholder Uibe, 

 in the prefence of Frederick IV. made the experiment 

 with one of his coach-horfes at Frederickjhourgh. The 

 creature fell upon a bear let loofe againft him, and 

 foon difpatched his enemy. Sometimes, however, the 

 bear, which is twice as ftrong, gets the better, efpeci- 

 ally if the horfe turns about to ftrike with his heels. 

 If he attempts this, he is ruined, for the bear inftantly 

 leaps upon him, and fixes himfelf upon his back : in 

 this cafe the horfe gallops away with his enraged 

 7 • rider, 



