96 IRISH HUNTERS, AND 



hence he cannot receive the education bestowed upon 

 the European racer, who, before he is three, often at 

 less than two, years of age, is taught by the most 

 scientific riders in the world to "go from the post" at 

 very nearly top speed — a species of training that some- 

 times results in his beating horses which are really 

 superior in every respect except that of being ready at 

 starting, and capable of putting on their best speed at 

 once. Besides, in those hot climates the young animal 

 has not the advantage of a soft elastic turf, so essential 

 to training, nor has he the assistance of proper trainers 

 and jockeys. 



It is much to be regretted that the breeders of Arabia 

 cannot be tempted, for almost any price, to part with 

 truly high-bred mares, wisely retaining them to breed 

 for the benefit of their native land. 



Warmth of climate seems thus, as instanced in the 

 Arab, to favour swiftness and endurance; though, on 

 the other hand, we may point to the mild, moist, but 

 scarcely warm climate of our islands, as having fostered 

 the production of animals possessing these qualities in 

 the first degree, in addition to size and power beyond 

 those of the Arab. 



France has latterly, since the introduction of pure 

 blood, produced some splendid horses ; but time must 

 tell whether the perfections of these animals are as 

 lasting as those of others whose early growth may not 

 have been so much forced by a more genial climate. 

 Therefore, as far as we know at present, the climate of 

 England is as favourable as that of any other land to 

 the production and development of perfection in the 

 horse, the specimens of which that she has presented 

 being hitherto unsurpassed. 



