22 HISTORT OF THE HORSE. ^ 



many of them to Rome : and the British horses were, for a 

 considerable period afterward, in great demand in various 

 parts of the Roman Empire. After the evacuation of En- 

 gland by the Romans and its conquest by the Saxons, consider- 

 able attention was paid to the English breed of horses ; and 

 after the reign of Alfred, running horses were imported from 

 Germany, this being the first intimation given us in history of 

 Tunning horses in England. English horses, after this, were 

 so highly prized upon the Continent, that, in order to preserve 

 the monopoly of the breed, in a.d. 930 a law was passed, pro- 

 hibiting the exportation of the animal. In Athelstan's reign 

 many Spanish horses were imported ; and William the Con- 

 queror introduced many fine animals from Normandy, Flan- 

 ders, and Spain, — circumstances which show the strong desire, 

 even at that early period, to improve the English breed. In 

 the reign of Henry I. is the first account of the importation 

 of the Arab horse into the country, at which time it is evident 

 that the English had become sensible of the value and breed 

 of their horse : and in the twelfth century a race-course had 

 been established in London, — namely, Smithfield, — at once 

 horse-market and race-course. 



King John imported Flemish horses for the improvement of 

 the breed for agricultural purposes ; and in his reign is found 

 the origin of the draught-horse now in general use in that 

 country. Edward II. and Edward III. imported horses for the 

 improvement of the stock, the latter introducing fifty Spanish 

 horses. In the reign of Henry YII., the exportation of stal- 

 lions was prohibited ; but that of mares was allowed, when 

 more than two years old, and under the value of six shillings 

 and eight pence. In the reign of Henry YIIL, many very 



