314 REARING AND FEEDING OF ANIMALS. 



elegance and sprightliness. Horses reared in Upper Andalusia 

 are considered the most valuable they rank next to the Per- 

 sian horses, which are considered next in value to the Arabian. 

 In France, a great variety of breeds are to be found; the 

 most valuable of which is a noble race of draught or farm 

 horses, unsurpassed by those of any other country. The breed 

 of horses is improving more attention being paid of late years 

 to the improvement of stock than heretofore. NAPOLEON gave 

 the first efficient impulse by importing more than two hundred 

 fine Arabian stallions, which were distributed throughout the 

 empire. 



The Flemish horses are not highly valued. They usually have large heavy 

 heads and necks; large and flat feet, and their feet subject to swellings and 

 watery humours. There must, we think, be some good animals among them. 

 Holland furnishes a race of horses suited for light work. Germany is not des- 

 titute of good horses, though the most of the native breeds are heavy and ill- 

 formed. Their breeds are much improved by crosses with the Asiatic and 

 Arabian breeds. The Polish horses are of middle size, hardy, strong, and 

 useful, and in many points bear a strong resemblance to the Canadian or 

 French horse. The Russian horse is chiefly regarded for his capability of 

 enduring great fatigue. They are small and hardy, and but lightly prized 

 without the limits of their native country. The Swedish horse is low and 

 small, and the Norway breed may be comprehended under the same descrip- 

 tion but they are strong, hardy and active. Denmark, Holstein, and Olden- 

 bv-rg, boast of a great variety v some highly esteemed for cavalry service, car- 

 riage use, and heavy draught. 



The true Arabian horse is considered by many good and 

 well qualified judges, as superior to all others for symmetry of 

 form, and grace and beauty of its movements. In their na- 

 tive country they are nurtured with the greatest possible care 

 and attention. Indeed, they are almost idolized by their 

 owners. The care which the Arabs observe to preserve the 

 blood of their favourites pure and unmixed, is as commendable 

 as it is proverbial. None but stallions of the finest form and 

 the purest blood have access to their mares, and even that is 

 not permitted except in the presence of a professional witness, 

 (public officer,) who attests the fact, records the name, and 

 signs the pedigree of each. 



In England there are several varieties, each of which is 

 known by its distinctive name. 1. The race-horse, which has 

 descended nearly in a direct line from the Arabian, the Persian 

 and the Barb. 2. The hunter, derived from horses of entire 

 blood, or but removed a shade or so from it. In propagating 

 this breed, the mares are selected with regard to their purity 

 of blood, size, and other good qualities, and the stallions are of 

 the most powerful kind. This breed, therefore, combines the 

 speed of the Arabian, with the durability of the native horse. 

 3. The improved hackney is derived like the former, from a 

 judicious mixture of the blood breed with the native, the latter 



