548 CONTINENTAL HORSES. 



horse is the Beetewk, who derives his designation from 

 the river of that name which flows past the Voronej 

 village of Shukavka. In 1712, Peter I. was so much im- 

 pressed by the good quality of the horses of that neigh- 

 bourhood, that he had Dutch stallions imported, so as to 

 improve the breed, by crossing them with local mares. 

 Later on, the Reetewks received a dash of Orlov trotting 

 blood, from Count Alexis's stud at Khrenovoya, which 

 is about 60 miles from Shukavka. Subsequently these 

 horses were bred in private and Imperial studs, and also 

 by peasants, chiefly of the provinces of Voronej and Tam- 

 bov. On page 402, we read that the Beetewks are not 

 such fine heavy draught-horses, as they were formerly, 

 on account of the rich pasture land having become con- 

 verted, to a great extent, into arable land. 



Beetewks stand about 16. i high and are of the true 

 agricultural type, like the old Irish and old Welsh cart 

 horse. " Beetewks are very strong, energetic, enduring, 

 quiet and obedient. Their paces are good, and many of 

 them are capital trotters, which fact enables them to be 

 used, not only for heavy draught, but also for light harness 

 work, such as coaching. On account of the possession of 

 these physical and mental qualities, they are much more 

 useful in Russia, than foreign heavy draught animals, 

 especially because their bodies are not so weighty, which 

 is a great advantage on the unmetalled roads of Russia. 

 Although not heavy, they are very strong, and can pull 

 3 tons or more. Also, the Russian character is shown by 

 their high spirit and speed. The most important point 

 of all, is the fact that their working utility has been 

 incontestably proved by experience,' but that of their 

 foreign rivals has not yet been demonstrated. Percherons 

 and Clydesdales have failed to justify the hope we placed 

 on them ; and now we are trying Belgian Ardenne 

 horses. It would be much safer for us to follow the 

 advice of the Russian proverb which tells us not to lose the 

 good, by seeking the better " {dc Simonoff and de Moerder). 



