34 FOREIGN BREEDS OF HORSES. 



are prevalent, and, the author of the present work learns from ans^ther 

 source, unusually severe. 



In Van Diemen's Land the breed of horses, originally derived from 

 India, is very good. A valuable breed of cart-horses is beginning to be 

 formed. The riding-horses are small, but they are hardy. Horses of 

 every kind are sixty per cent, dearer in Van Diemen's Land than in New 

 South Wales ; because the colony is smaller, and the number of horses 

 that are bred is comparatively small. Their treatment is not so good as in 

 the laro-er colony. Many of them know not the taste of corn, and, when 

 it is given to them, it is usually in the straw. 



THE TAKTARIAN HORSE. 



Tartary comprehends a vast extent of country, reaching from the 

 Eastern Ocean, to the European dominions of Russia, through the central 

 part of Asia and Europe. Eastern Tartary belongs chiefly to China — 

 the Western has been subjected by Russia, but a small portion of it about 

 the Caspian Sea claims to be independent. The tribes which inhabit 

 this immense space are dissimilar in their appearance, manners, and cus- 

 toms ; but, with a few exceptions, the character of the horse is nearly the 



same. 



The WILD HOKSE is found in various parts of Tartary ; but nowhere 

 can it be considered as a remnant of an original race that has never 

 been domesticated. The horses of the Ukraine, and those of South 

 America, are equally the descendants of those that had escaped from the 

 slavery of man. The origin of the horses of Tartary has been clearly 

 traced to those that were employed in the siege of Azof in 1657. Being 

 suffered, from want of forage, to penetrate into the desert in order to find 

 subsistence, they strayed to too great a distance to be pursued or recalled, 

 and became wild and created a new breed. They are generally of a red 

 colour, with a black stripe along the back. They are divided into numer- 

 ous herds, at the head of each of which is an old staUion, who has fought 

 his way to the crown, and whose pre-eminence is acknowledge by the 

 rest. On the approach of apparent danger, the mares and their foals are 

 driven into a close body, in front of which the males are ranged. There 

 are iVequent contests between the different herds. The domesticated 

 horse, if he falls in their way unprotected by his master, is instantly 

 attacked and speedily destroyed ; but at the sight of a human being, and 

 especially mounted, thoy all take to flight, and gallop into the recesses of 

 the desert. The young stallions as they grow up are driven from the 

 herd, and are seen straggling about at a distance, until they are strong 

 enough to form herds of wild mares for themselves. 



The Cossacks are accustomed to hunt the ^vild horses, partly to keep up 

 their own stock, and partly for food. A species of vulture is sometimes 

 made use of in this affair. The bird pounces upoxi the poor animal, and 

 fastens itself on his head or neck, fluttering his >vings, and perplexing, and 

 half-bhnding him, so that he becomes an easy prey to the Tartar. The 

 young horses are generally tamed without much difficulty ; they are, after 

 a Httfe while, coupled with a tame horse, and grow gentle and obedient. 

 The wild horses thus reclaimed are usually fou.nd to be stronger and more 

 serviceable than any which can be bred at home. 



In the great deserts of Tartary, the herds of wild horses are muxjh larger. 

 Many thousands, as on the Pampas of South America, are often collected 

 together. The Kirghise Tartars either capture them for use, or spear 

 them for food. ^ 



The flesh of the horse is a frequent article of food among the Tartars ; 

 and although they do not, like the Indians of the Pampas, eat it raw, their 



