THE RUSSIAN HORSE 65 



which would have done the work of these Flemish mares. Almost all 

 wei'e bay with black points, and their legs were nearly as clean and free 

 from hair as those of our thoroughbreds. They were extraordinarily good- 

 tempered, and suffered their attendants to "put them to" all together, being 

 all attached to a splinter-bar, which was turned over the quarters of the 

 wheelers. In this way the change was effected even in less time than by 

 our crack coaches, when one and a half minutes was considered the outside 

 time to be allowed. All that was necessary was to pull up nearly close 

 behind the four horses standing ready for the change, then unhooking the 

 bar of those just come in it was turned over their quarters, and they were 

 taken forwards till they cleared the pole, when they were in a body turned 

 on one side. The four fresh horses were then quickly backed to their 

 places, a wheeler passing on each side the pole, the bar was dropped to its 

 place and hooked, the reins in the meantime being taken out of the terrets 

 by the coachman, and the change was effected in less than a minute. 



THE HANOVERIAN HORSE 



Every one who has seen her Majesty's black carriage-horses must be 

 familiar with this breed. Some are also brought over to this country for 

 the use of the undertaker, but they are more costly than the Flemish and 

 Holstein horses, and are only used by the most fashionable houses in that 

 trade. They are remarkable for the length and beauty of their manes and 

 tails, and for their brilliant black colour. This is specially developed in 

 the entire horses, which are therefore 'used for purposes of show. They 

 have neat heads and well-arched necks, but have very light middlepieces, 

 badly ribbed up. Their shoulders are somewhat upright, and their arms 

 and thighs are lighter than in any other European breed of the same size 

 and beauty. The action of these horses both on the walk and trot is high 

 and proud, yet tolerably fast, and I believe in their native country they 

 make useful troopers and light harness horses. Here the hard macadamized 

 roads forbid their being employed for any purposes but those to which I 

 have alluded. 



THE RUSSIAN HORSE 



The native Russian horse is a small, active, and hardy animal, capable 

 of undergoing great fatigues and privations, but not possessed of much 

 speed in any of its paces. Of late years great progress has been made in 

 improving them by crossing the blood with that of English and Arab 

 thoroughbreds, and also by mixing with these the best Flemish and 

 French light harness horses. Throughout the vast grassy plains of the 

 interior of Russia there are the finest opportunities afforded for the 

 breeding of horses. 



A regular trade in the export of these ponies to England is now 

 established, although the first few consignments, about the "eighties," were 

 not good enough to attract buyers except for the coster's barrow, the 

 laundress's cart, and the coal-pit. Each year has seen a marked improve- 

 ment, since then, and now (1898) one may often see well-marked Arab 



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