OF HORSEMANSHIP. 151 



are fure to find them ; all returning of their own ac- 

 cord, when the feafon changes, and the earth no 

 longer fupplies them with food. In travelling, they 

 will frequently take large mouthfuls of fnow, which 

 melts into water, and mull be meant to quench their 

 thirft. When their maflers defign to flop them, they 

 lay hold of their T'aih ; this difcipline they underfland, 

 and obey implicitly *. 



The ^Spaniards ftand very forward in the national lift 

 of noble horfes, fecond at leaft to the Arabians, and 

 placed by many, and with fair pretenfions, before the 

 Barb. Their forehands are long, fomewhat thick, and 

 cloathed with a full and flowing mane ; the head a 

 little too coarfe, and fometimes hawk-nofed, ears long, 

 but well -placed, eyes large, bold, and full of fire : 

 their carriage lofty, proud, and noble ; Shoulders often- 

 times thick ; Breaji large ; Loins often a little too low ; 

 Ribs round ; and the Belly frequently too full and fwell- 

 ing ; the Croup round and full ; the Legs well formed, 

 and clear of hair ; the Sinew at a diftance from the 

 bone ; the Pajiern joint frequently too long, and weak, 

 like that of the Barbs ; the foot long and deep, re- 

 fembling that of a mule, the Heel being high and 

 narrow. Thofe of the fineft breeds are generally well 

 trufTed, and well-knit horfes, adtive and ready in their 

 paces, of quick apprehenfion, have a memory rather 

 too faithful, obedient to the utmoil proof, wonderfully 



* Voyage au Nord, par Outhier. 



docile 



