208 FLORIDA. 



department of mechanical skill. But no pen can describe such 

 motions, they must be seen and attended to with a close and discrimi- 

 nating eye to be appreciated. 



An Illinois gentleman whom I know very well and who has studied 

 horses somewhat as I have studied them, and whose estimate of a 

 horse would go very far with me, recently went East, and while there 

 saw this horse Florida. He had been somewhat prepossessed in his 

 favor, and had talked with me about him, but wanted to see for himself. 

 He found the horse kept as he is for service and but little used in 

 harness, and in fact, from information had received the notion that the 

 owner of Florida did not often show him in harness, which excited 

 a desire to see him in that way. His letter tells the result as well 

 as it can be expressed. He says : 



Florida was put in harness, as Mr. Taylor said, the first time since Octol3er 

 (six mouths), and his performance was truly wonderful. I think to a wagon of 

 at least 275 pounds with Mr. T. and myself in, he showed us close to a thirtj' gait^ 

 and I am confident he drew us up a steep hill without a hitch at a fifty gait. I 

 certainly never rode after or saw a horse that seemed to be so perfectly ignorant 

 of everything but trot. lu passing a crowd of boys he started as if to run 

 away and Mr. T. gave him his head, but he kept his square trot without a 

 sign of a break. What surprised me most was his freedom from all nei-vous 

 excitement and perfect readiness to sail through ; his great delight seemed to 

 be to trot, and the faster the better. I rode after three of his sous, and I assure 

 you they are worthy sous of a noble sire. 



His way of going would charm anj^ lover of the trotting horse, and it seems 

 to be utterly impossible to drive him to a break or even a hitch, aud his 

 greatest delight seemed to be in his most rapid flight, while with a word he 

 would come to a quiet walk with all the docility of a lamb, and seemed to be 

 the very horse you would first select to trust your wife or daughter with. 

 Much as this horse is admired in the stable, or when shown at the halter, his 

 great qualities can ouly be appreciated by those who are fortunate enough to 

 see him at full speed. 



I may say here that, to my mind, the Bellfounder conformation ii> 

 one that evinces great muscular power in small compass and at the 

 right place. For trotting purposes, the muscle is htmg at the proper 

 point, and has the most comjilete use of the machinery to be wielded 

 by it. While mares by Sayer's Harrj- Clay have been a success with 

 the Hambletonian stallions, it must be kept in mind that they belong 

 to the long-leverage family, invariably, so far as I have inspected 

 them, shoNving a very long measurement from hip to hock — one four- 

 year-old by Volunteer, second dam by Harry Clay, being 41 inches, 

 and a mare by Hamljletonian, dam by Harry Clay, being 41^ inches. 



