PROPORTIONS. 8 1 



a type the English saddle-horse, which is of Arabian 

 origin, and submit it to comparison with its ancestor : it 

 has both grown and elongated, whilst remaining solid and 

 spirited, but speed is the predominant quality, whilst 

 sustained effort is invariably the dominant feature of an 

 Arab ; in one word, the duration resulting from concen- 

 tration of strength. 



It is necessary to see if the English horse has quite 

 answered to all the expectations formed of his shape and 

 pluck by examination of the object aimed at. This 

 important matter needs elaborating with far more 

 knowledge, and at much greater length, than I can devote 

 to it. Whilst leaving its decision to specialists and to 

 those who have made a conscientious study of the horse, 

 I can nevertheless assert, basing my assertion upon 

 evidence only too thoroughly attested, that the race-horse, 

 such as we know it to be at the present day, could not 

 with credit to itself undergo the lengthy trials to which it 

 would have been submitted in ancient times. It possesses 

 speed without progress, and this is at all events a 

 considerable compensation for the sacrifice of capability 

 and of form. The English themselves agree as to 

 this. 



The form of the horse has been sacrificed in the 

 increase of its size and in the destruction of the harmony 

 of its structure ; it has been made more slim and lighter 

 in the elongation, but also more delicate and less solid. 

 I do not think that this meagre, and, so to say, hump- 

 backed horse should be given as the type for represen- 

 tation, bringing in its train, as it does, all the blemishes 

 of a premature old age, resulting from excessive and 

 precocious labour. 



What future prospect is there for a colt which has, 

 at the age of two years, been already trained and raced ? 

 It is impossible, when thus acting, to have at heart the 

 aim of the amelioration of the equine race of the future. 



M. Delamarre discussed this matter, a few years ago, 

 and laid considerable stress upon it, prescribing in a very 

 absolute manner the employment of the race-horse as 

 being destined to become in future reproductive in 

 France, and the regenerator of the indigenous breeds ; a 

 really useful stallion would only bequeath the defects to 



