OUR SADDLE-HORSES. 11 



CHAPTER II. 



The causes which led to the former excellence of our saddle- 

 horses, and those which have caused their deterioration — 

 Remedy. 



This country having been long celebrated 

 for its saddle-horses, I shall proceed to show 

 the causes of that excellence, after which I 

 shall endeavour to point out the causes of the 

 present deterioration. 



The main cause of their former excellence 

 was the creation of what is called our " Turf." 

 This establishment worked well for a long 

 period of time, exercising a preponderating 

 and admirable influence over the character of 

 our useful saddle-horses. 



Doubtless, gambling and pleasure have ever 

 been the sole objects of those who bred our 

 race-horses ; but their large importations of 

 good Arabs, followed as they were by a careful 



