190 HISTORY OF 



The German horses are originally from Arabian 

 and Barbary stocks ; nevertheless, they appear to 

 be small and ill-shaped ; it is said also, that they 

 are weak and washy, with tender hoofs. The 

 Hungarian horses, on the other hand, are excel- 

 lent for the draught, as well as the saddle. The 

 hussars, who use them in war, usually slit their 

 nostrils ; which is done, as it is said, to prevent 

 their neighing, but, perhaps, without any real 

 foundation. 



The Dutch breed is good for the draught, and 

 is generally used for that purpose over Europe : 

 the best come from the province of Friezland. 

 The Flanders horses are much inferior to the 

 former ; they have most commonly large heads, 

 flat feet, and swollen legs, which are an essential 

 blemish in horses of this kind. 



The French horses are of various kinds ; but 

 they have few that are good. The best horses of 

 that country come from Limosin: they have a 

 strong resemblance to the Barb, and, like them, 

 are excellent for the chase ; but they are slow in 

 coming to perfection; they are to be carefully 

 treated while young, and must not be backed till 

 they are eight years old. Normandy furnishes 

 the next best; which, though not so good for 

 the chase, are yet better for war. In general, 

 the French horses have the fault of being heavy- 

 shouldered, which is opposite to the fault of the 

 Barb, which is too thin in the shoulder, and is 

 consequently apt to be shoulder-slipt. 



Having mentioned the horses most usually 

 known in Europe, we pass on to those of more 



