538 



CONTINENTAL HORSES. 



was never a very great horse country, it had, during the 

 sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the well-known 

 Neapolitan breed, which were descendants of imported 

 Spanish horses of the race that originated the Austrian 

 Kladrub breed (pp. 508 and 526). At present, Itahan 

 horses are in a very degenerate and neglected condition, 

 although there are a few studs in Italy which produce 

 thorough-breds and half-breds. The only characteristic 



Fig. 539. — Polish pony (14 hands). 



native breed of Italian horses are the ponies of the 

 island of Sardinia, which closely resemble those of the 

 adjoining French island of Corsica. They vary in height 

 from about thirteen to fourteen hands, are generally 

 of a bay colour, are strong and very hardy, and are 

 brought up in a semi-wild state. Many of these ponies 

 are annually exported to the mainland of Italy, where they 

 are highly prized. Although they are usually employed 

 in two-wheeled traps, they are good in saddle. The 



