OF HORSEMANSHIP. 



J :} 



The Fortugal Horfes, or rather Mares, were famous of 

 •old for being very fleet, and long-winded — whether 

 this character of them was really true, or only the 

 opinion of ignorant people, cannot now be deter- 

 mined. If it was true, the modern race is wonder- 

 fully changed and degenerated from the qualities of 

 their anceftors, for, at prefent, they are far from me- 

 riting much praife upon this account. 



Portugal in general is a mountainous country, and 

 many reafons have concurred to injure the breed of 

 horfes in this kingdom ; when it was annexed to the 

 crown of Spain, the mother-country was preferred for 

 the eftabliflimant of Studs ; and the pradtice theji was to de- 

 vote the very few diftriifts in Portugal which are pro- 

 perly fupplied with herbage and water to breed horned 

 cattle for the fliambles and plough, and mules and alTes 

 for many other laborious tafks. — Hence horfes in Portu- 

 gal (although the natives are exceedingly fond of 

 them) have been confidered rather as creatures of 

 pomp and pleafure, than of fervice and utility, except 

 in war, and as fuch the king and nobility, fmce the 

 independency of the kingdom, have always chofen to 

 fupply their wants from Spaiii, as far as the mounting 

 of the troops, and the purpofes of parade and amufe- 

 ment require. If the Portuguefe, however, fliould 

 turn their thoughts to Breeding, there is no doubt but 

 their country would produce precifely the fame fpecies 

 of horfes, as that for which Spain has always been fo 

 diftinguiflied. At prefent the Portugal horfes are in 



Vol. I. X no 



