Ill] AND HISTORIC TIMES 323 



at a far earlier date. In form it is said to fall about midway 

 between Arab and Andalusian. The breed was decadent by 

 the close of the eighteenth century, and has since then been 

 greatly modified by being crossed with Arab and English 

 thoroughbred stallions, the former being used exclusively under 

 the Empire and the Restoration, but in 1833 the English 

 horses were introduced, and since then the horse of Bigourdan 

 has gradually supplanted that of Tarbes, being taller than the 

 latter. The crossing has increased its height, which is now 

 1*60 m. (16 hands), and its head is longer than that of the 

 thoroughbred. 



In the Eastern Pyrenees we meet the horses of Ariege, 

 which are reared on the plateau of Laderg, at a very consider- 

 able height above sea-level. They have all the characteristics 

 of a mountain type being ugly and angular, but very hardy 

 and useful. Their relatively large size (1'45 50 m. = 15 hands 

 at most) is due to the excellence of the mountain pastures. 

 "Everything points to the belief that they are Spanish in 

 origin," for they preserve in great part the character of the 

 Andalusian. The coat is generally black 1 . 



The Limousin horse was the glory of old France, for it was 

 esteemed above all others for the saddle, and the royal stables 

 were filled with animals of this breed. The majority of hippo 

 legists are agreed in dating the origin of the Limousin stock to 

 the conquest of Spain and Southern France by the Saracens in 

 the beginning of the eighth century A.D. It has the distinctive 

 characteristics of the Barb. The chief centre for its breeding 

 was in Haute Vienne. It was in full decadence in 1770, and in 

 modern times it has been much crossed with Arab, Spanish, 

 and English thoroughbred blood, and has consequently lost 

 its ancient shape and qualities. Since 1830 English thorough- 

 breds have been exclusively used and have given the race greater 

 size, but not so good a barrel. 



The Auvergne horse is also * Oriental,' i.e. Libyan, in origin, 

 being absolutely identical with the horse of Ariege, its colour 

 being generally black. They are not so fine as the Limousin, 



1 Cuyer and Alix, op. cit. p. 609. 



212 



