0,2 ON THE HORSE IN GENERAL. 



eftablifhed, it fhould feem (with fome little 

 exceptions perhaps) that we have no longer 

 any neceftity for recourfe to foreign flock of 

 any defcription, with the view of improve- 

 ment; that being in our power, even to the 

 higheft point of perfection, by judicious felec- 

 tions from our own native races. Indeed, our 

 importations of foreign Horfes of late years, 

 have been made chiefly with the view of ob- 

 taining ferviceable draft cattle, for immediate 

 ufe, at more reafonable rates than they could 

 be bred at home, rather than for the purpofe 

 of breeding; and this has been almoft intirely 

 confined to Flanders and Friezeland. No 

 importation of faddle-horfes has ever taken 

 place within the prefent century, that I know 

 of; as to the Arabians, Barbs, and other 

 foreign ftallions, formerly fo effential in our 

 fhids, they have for fome years ceafed to be 

 much in requeft, and there are now but few of 

 them in the country. The marks of their 

 foreign origin are now diftinguifhable but in 

 very few of our Englifh Horfes, being loft in 

 the proper chara&eriftic form of the country, 

 which time, the influence of climate, sood 

 provender, and good care, have eflablifhed. 

 Thus our racing Itock, although they have loft 

 fomewhat in delicacy of fkin, and warmth of 

 temperament, have gained more fize, fuller 

 *nd better proportion, more fpeed and conti- 

 nuance, 



