360 THE HORSES OF PREHISTORIC [CH. 



gathered in, the cattle of different owners fed promiscuously 

 together ; for which reason the practice of cutting horses was 

 introduced 1 . 



Under Henry VIII energetic steps were taken not only to 

 restrict the exportation of horses to the Continent but also to 

 Scotland and to promote the breeding of powerful horses. The 

 King himself set the example, for according to Holinshed 2 , he 

 " erected a noble studderie for breeding horses, especially the 

 greater sort, and for a time had verie good success with 

 them. The officers however seemed weary, and procured a 

 mixed breed of baser races, whereby his good purpose came to 

 little effect." But royal example apparently did not suffice, 

 and resort was had to compulsion. In 1535 "for that in 

 many and most places of this Realm, commonly little Horses 

 and Nags of small stature and value be suffered to depasture, 

 and also to cover Mares and Felys of very small stature, 

 by reason whereof the Breed of good and strong Horses 

 of this Realm is now lately diminished, altered and decayed, 

 and further is likely to decay, if speedy Remedy be not sooner 

 provided in that Behalf," it was enacted that "all Owners or 

 Fermers of parks and enclosed grounds of the extent of one 

 mile in compass, shall keep two Mares, being not speyed, and 

 able to bear foals of the altitude or height of thirteen handfuls 

 at least upon pain of 405." A penalty of 40s. was likewise 

 imposed on " lords, owners, and farmers of all parks and 

 grounds enclosed as is above rehearsed, who shall willingly 

 suffer any of the said mares to be covered or kept with any 

 Stoned Horse under the stature of fourteen handfuls 3 ." 



It was also enacted that all prelates and nobles whose wives 

 wore French hoods or velvet bonnets should maintain stallions 

 of the required standard. 



Further steps were taken in 1541 when it was enacted 

 that "no person shall put in any forest, chase, moor, heath, 

 or waste (where mares and fillies are used to be kept), any 

 stoned horse above the age of two years, not being fifteen hands 

 high, within the shires and territories of Norfolk, Suffolk, 



1 Gilbey, op.-cit. p. 20. 2 Vol. vi. p. 3 (London, 1807). 



3 Gilbey, op. cit. pp. 23-4. 



