88 THE HORSE. 



a lesson from the continent ? If we do 

 not, the day is not far distant when our 

 boasted superiority in horse-flesh will 

 prove to be a delusion and a snare. 



The improvement obtained for British 



horses during the past three hundred 



years can be readily understood by any 



The lesson who will recognise facts. When Charles II. 



that has 



been taught, ascended the throne the English race-horse 

 was easily beaten by his or other Oriental 

 importations, which became intermixed 

 with animals ranging in size from the 

 small pony to the great horse ; and to 

 these classes they gave to their off- 

 spring improved form and qualifications. 

 This improved stock when mixed 

 inter se produced a still better class of 

 animal, and in my belief obtained a 

 degree of excellence which alone awaited 



