THE TROTTING AND THE PACING 

 HORSE IN AMERICA 



CHAPTER I 



THE INTRODUCTION OF THE HORSE AND THE 

 GRADUAL INCREASE OF SPEED 



ACCORDING to Nesbit, horse-races were made a 

 feature of public festivities as early as the Patri- 

 archs' time. The fever spread from Eastern coun- 

 tries to other countries. Horses first drew burdens, 

 but after the invention of saddles carried them 

 on their backs. In the days of Augustus sport- 

 loving Romans rode in different colors, usually 

 green, red, white, and sea-color. In the reign of 

 Henry II of England races took place at Epsom, 

 and the breeding of horses was encouraged by 

 Henry VIII. 



The horse, as shown by fossil remains, existed 

 in America prior to its discovery by Columbus, 

 but the first importation across the Atlantic 

 was made in 1493. These horses were taken to 



