246 The Book of the Horse. 



little later, " The coach-horse is the best horse here." The tradition of breeding coach-horses 

 as well as race-horses was maintained at Knowsley up to the time of the lately-deceased earl, 

 Edward Geoffrey Stanley, the great orator. At the present day, and for many years past, a 

 horse as famous as Sir Peter, when placed in the stud, would only be permitted to serve a limited 

 number of thoroughbred mares at fees of from fifty to one hundred guineas ; and however 

 admirable as a sire, would do nothing for increasing the number and quality of any except 

 race-horses. But the Earl of Derby, as a kind of county potentate, patronised his neighbours, 

 and allowed them the use of Sir Peter. For many years afterwards every gentleman in 

 Lancashire who prided himself on his coach-horses had or claimed to have at least one brown 

 Sir Peter in his stable ; Lord Grosvenor did the like servife for his tenants and neighbours 

 in Cheshire and in Shropshire, which was long famous for its hunters. The same system 

 was at work in every horse-breeding and racing county in England and Wales, before roads 

 and railroads centralised horse-racing and effaced county dignities and distinctions. Thus 

 there was at the same time a demand for large harness-horses with good travelling action which 

 are not now required, and facilities which do not now exist for obtaining the services of 

 superior thoroughbred sires. 



The horse of the period is always what the period requires. The carriage-horse of the 

 present day is essentially a horse more for pleasure than for use. Ten miles in and as many 

 out again, with a rest between, is considered a long day's journey for carriage-horses. Nine 

 pair of carriage-horses out of ten, or more probably ninety out of a hundred, are not required 

 to leave the limits between Hyde Park and Richmond Hill once a year, or to extend their 

 trot in Paris beyond the Bois. 



What, therefore, is required in a carriage-horse is an animal that will look well in harness, 

 although he may be rather m^an out of it. He need not be able to walk, but he must be 

 able to stand after being properly borne up by the bearing-reins, like a statue. There are very 

 useful riding and driving horses, and very brilliant hunters and race-horses that " stand over" 

 with the fore-feet approaching the hind-feet in a very ugly manner — like a goat. Such a 

 form is out of the question for a carriage-horse of high price. On the contrary, standing 

 with the fore-legs projecting as far as a line drawn from the nose, in a sort of statuesque 

 position, is a habit natural to a few and taught to a great many carriage-horses. The neck 

 may be much too long for a riding-horse, and the whole fore-hand what is called "peacocky," 

 a very expressive term ; but the neck must be able to bend, either naturally or by artificial means. 

 The mane should be plentiful, and fall well. 



The shoulders may be anything but riding shoulders, if they are so shaped as to be 

 consistent with imposing action, v/hich may be so rough that it would be unbearable in a 

 riding-horse. The back may be hollow — indeed, a hollow back, if the loins and quarters are 

 strong enough to stop a heavy carriage, is considered rather a point of beauty in harness — but 

 every pair of horses intended for heavy carriages, which must be stopped quickly and turned 

 sharply, must have strong loins, thighs, and hocks. It is of importance that a state carriage- 

 horse should have a full, not too long, tail, and carry it well. As for pace, eight miles an hour, 

 looking like twelve, is quite sufficient for ornamental purposes. 



The best colours for full-sized carriage pairs are bay with black legs, brown with tan 

 muzzle (a very fashionable colour), and dark chestnut. Greys were worth £\0 each more than 

 any other colour during the time that the Prince Regent led the fashion. Grey stallions of a 

 high class were maintained in the royal stud. It is at present difficult to get gre}-s sufiicicntl)' well- 

 bred. The Uukc of Sutherland has discarded ircn-greys in favour of browns. The late Duke 



