OF HORSEMANSHIP. 157 



and ferviceable breed ; which, if they do not excel fo 

 much as fome in hunting, yet are fuperiour in war, 

 being llouter, and better moulded, and arriving at the 

 fulnefs of their growth in fliorter time. Lower Nor- 

 mandy and the diftridl of Cotentin give a very good fort 

 for the coach, which are nimbler and have more ela- 

 fticity in their motions than the Dutch horfes — Franche 

 Compte and the Bouknnois raife numbers likewife for 

 common ufes — It is remarked that the French horfes 

 are apt to have their ihoulders too loofe and open, as 

 thofe of the Barbs are too confined and narrow. 



Navarre, which borders upon Spain, has a kind of 

 horfes which partake of the properties of both thefe 

 countries, and although not celebrated or fought after, 

 have notwithflanding their Ihare of merit ; being 

 light, adlive, and nervous, efpecially the finer fort, 

 which are better and more valuable, in proportion as 

 the Spanjjh blood prevails in their compofition. 



The finer and better fort of the more modern Eng- 

 lifli horfes, are defcended from Arabians and Barbs, 

 and frequently refemble their fires in looks and ap- 

 pearance, but diflfer from them confiderably in fizc 

 and mould ; being more furniflied, flout, and lufty. 

 In general they are ftrong, nimble, of good courage, 

 capable of enduring excefiive fatigue, and, both in 

 perfeverance and fpeed, furpafs all horfes in the world 

 — At the fame time it is objected to them, that they 

 are void of grace, and want that Expreffion, if I may 



ufe 



