240 THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 



of attempting completely to fatigue him. After a long 

 chase, therefore, he dined, and again mounting, rode 

 him furiously among the hills. When brought to the 

 stable, his strength appeared so completely exhausted 

 that he was scarcely able to walk. The groom, pos- 

 sessed of more feeling than his brutal master, burst 

 into tears at the sight of so noble an animal thus sunk 

 down. Some time afterwards the baronet entered the 

 stable, upon which the horse made a furious spring 

 upon him, and had it not been for the groom's inter- 

 ference, he would indisputably have prevented him 

 from ever again misusing his animals. 



THE MULE, ASS, ZEBRA, &c. 



It will not be amiss to make a few remarks on those 

 animals that assimilate most to the horse : the first in 

 rank is the Mule — which abounds more in the conti- 

 nental portion of Europe, (particularly in Spain and 

 Portugal), than in our island. This animal is produced 

 either by the connection of the horse with a female 

 ass, or the male ass with the mare. This last breed is 

 the most useful; it inherits the small legs and handsome 

 shape of the mare, and the long ears and cross on the 

 back which is the characteristic of the ass : its pecu- 

 liar value is discerned in mountainous countries, where 

 its sureness of foot is not to be surpassed by that 

 of any other animal : moreover, they are generally much 

 more free from disease, certainly hardier, and retain 

 their strength and spirit till old age. Nature denies 

 to the mule the power of continuing its race. 



The Ass — is to be found wild in many parts of the 



