HISTORY OF THE HORSE. 27 



EUROPEAN HORSES. 



THE RACER. 



As the varieties of tlie horse in Great Britain are the most 

 noticeable of any in Europe, we append a brief description of 

 the principal breeds at present in use. 



The Racer, which excels, in beauty, speed, and endurance, 

 that of all other nations, was gradually formed by the intro- 

 duction of the best blood of Spain, Barbary, Turkey, and 

 Arabia, and bears a strong family likeness to each. The cha- 

 racteristics of this breed are a high and lofty head, bright and 

 fearless eye, small ear, expanded nostril ; arched neck, curved 

 on the upper surface, with no curve underneath ; the neck 

 gracefully set on ; the shoulder lengthened, oblique, and lying 

 well back ; the quarters ample and muscular ; the fore-legs 

 straight and fine, but with suflacient bone ; the hinder legs 

 well bent, and the pasterns long and springy. 



THE HUISTTER. 



The best horses of this breed stand fifteen" or sixteen hands 

 high : head small ; neck thin, especially beneath the crest, firm 

 and arched ; and jaws wide ; lofty forehead ; shoulders as ex- 

 tensive and oblique as that of the racer, and somewhat thicker; 

 broad chest ; muscular arm ; leg shorter than that of the 

 racer ; body also more short and compact ; loins broad ; quar- 

 ters long; thighs muscular; hocks well bent, and under the 

 horse. 



THE HACKNEY. 



This horse is still more compa/;t than the hunter, with more 



