OUR SADDLE-HORSES. 37 



early race-horses did not exceed fourteen 

 hands, while that of our present ones is rarely 

 less than sixteen hands ; and often more, 

 while they have lost the fine symmetry of their 

 ancestors, that performed so long and so well 

 great tasks. 



Nothing is more certain than that there are 

 Arab horses to be found more agreeable to ride 

 than any others in the world, save a very few 

 of our thorough-bred, or nearly thorough-bred 

 horses, but these are now become such rare 

 exceptions as only to make us regret the more 

 that the great mass of our well-bred horses are 

 become so bad for all useful purposes. Even 

 those that are so agreeable are usually dis- 

 posed to lameness when ridden at a quick 

 pace on hard roads, and can rarely carry 

 more than very light weights. 



