THE FR^:^x•II horse. 45 



necessarj' where there are many perfect horses ; but the principle of 

 cruelty should not extend, as it too often does, to the treatment of every 

 kind of horse. 



Something must be attributed to both causes. There is more humanity 

 among tlie French than the English peasantry ; but, on the other hand, 

 there are horrible scenes of cruelty to the horse hourly taking place in the 

 streets of Paris, that would not be tolerated for a moment in the British 

 metropolis. 



The breeding of horses has more decidedly become a branch of agricul- 

 tural attention and speculation than it used to be ; for it has b^en proved 

 to the fai-mer that, with the proper kind of pasture, and within a fair 

 distance of a proper market, instead of being one of the most uncertain 

 and unprofitable modes of using the land, it yields more than an average 

 return. 



The establishment of races in almost every part of France has given a 

 spirit to the breeding and improvement of the horse which cannot fail of 

 being exceedingly beneficial throughout the whole of the French empire. 

 In fact, it may be stated without exaggeration, that the rapid improve- 

 ment which is taking place is attributable principally to this cause. In 

 order to efiect the desired improvement, the French, and with much judg- 

 ment, have had recourse to the English thorough-bred horse far more 

 than to the native Arabian. A great many of the best English stallions 

 have been purchased for the French studs, and have been beneficially 

 emploj^ed in improving, and often creating, the hunter, the racer, and 

 almost all of the better class of horses used for purposes of luxury. 



It has been stated that the most valuable native horses are those of 

 Normandy ; perhaps they have been improved by the English hunter, and 

 occasionally by the English thorough-bred horse ; and, on the other hand, 

 the English roadster and the light draught-horse have derived considerable 

 advantage from a mixture with the ISTorman, not only in eaily times when 

 William the Conqueror was so eager to improve the horses of his new 

 subjects by means of those of Norman blood, but at many succeeding 

 periods. 



A certain number of Normandy horses used to be purchased every year 

 by the French Government for the use of the other departments. This 

 led occasionally to considerable trickery and evil. None of the Norman 

 horses were castrated until they were three, or sometimes four years old ; 

 and then it frequently happened that horses of superior appearance, but 

 with no pure blood in them, were sold as belonging to the improved breed, 

 and it was only in their offspring that the cheat could be discovered. The 

 government now purchases the greater part of the Normandy horses in 

 their first year, and brings them up in the jjublic studs. They cost more 

 money, it is true ; but they are better bred, and become finer animals. 

 There is no deception with regard to these horses, and the amelioration of 

 the other breeds is secured. 



Every country that has occupied itself with the amelioration of its breed 

 of horses, has deemed it necessary to have a public register of the names 

 and progeny of those of an acknowleged race. England has had its stud- 

 book nearly half a century, containing a list of all the horses of pure blood 

 that have existed in the country. France, in the year 1837, had her first 

 stud-book, in which are inscribed the names of 215 stallions, of pure 

 English blood, imported into France or bom there ; 266 Arabs, Barbs, 

 Persian, or Turkish horses ; 274 English mares of true blood, and 41 

 Eastern mares. Their progeny is also traced, so far as it was practicabla 

 This work will form an epoch in the equestrian annals of that countiy. 



