16 ENGLISH HORSES IX 1G17. 



figure much in the production ; we must at the outset admit that 

 he is rather the result of our savage wars, our gambling races, and 

 our reckless and extravagant hunting fields. 



28. — The soil and climate of England are favourable for 

 horse breeding, and there is much evidence to prove that even at 

 the time of the Roman invasion the light horses were good. The 

 Normans brought over some of their best war horses with them, 

 and as they took possession of the soil, each Xorman was required 

 to keep a certain numbers of war horses. It was in their power 

 and it was their interest to keep the best, and they were no mean 

 judges. In those days heavy cart horses did not exist in England. 

 Ploughing and heavy draft work was all done by oxen. The slow 

 Flemish draft horse was not introduced until the reign of William 

 III., in 1689. 



2'J. — In a really valuable book on horses, published in 1617, 

 by Gervase Markham, and referred to with much respect by later 

 English writers, the English horse is spoken of as superior to all 

 others. He says : — 



" I do daily find in mine experience that the virtue, goodness, 

 boldness, and endurance of our true bred English horses is equal 

 with any race of horses whatever. Some former writer.-!, whether 

 out of want of experience, or to flatter novelties, have concluded 

 that the English horse is a great strong jade, deep ribbed, sid- 

 bellied, with strong legges and good hoofes, yet fitter for the cart 

 than either saddle or any working employment. How false this 

 is all English horsemen knowe. 



" The true English horse, him I mean that is bred under a 

 good clime, on firme ground, in a pure temperature, is of tall 

 stuture and large proportions ; his head, though not so fine as 

 either the Barbarie's or the Turke's, yet is lean, long, and well- 

 fashioned ; his crest is hie, only subject to thickness if be he 

 stoned, but if he be gelded then it is firm and strong ; his chyne 

 is straight and broad, and all liis limbs large, leaue, flat, and 

 excellently jointed. For their endurance, I have seen them sufl'er 

 and execute as much and more than ever I noted of any foraine 

 creation. 



"J have heard it rei»orted that at the massacre of Paris, 



