30 THE HORSE 



T 



It will be seen that Great Britain derived her horses 

 from those which were in the country at the time of 

 Caesar's invasion (55 B.C.), which subsequently were 

 improved by importation of Flemish draft -horses and 

 others of the same type, and by the oriental horse 

 from Barbary, Arabia and Turkey, and from Spain. 

 It was not long before two distinct types were devel- 

 oped, the draft -horse and the light thoroughbred. 

 There were, indeed, many intermediate types, but these 

 two types for a long time stood at the head of all 

 others. From these have come varieties, a few of 

 which have developed into breeds sometimes varying 

 greatly in form and specialized qualities. Something 

 analogous to this also transpired in France, and here, 

 too, is seen the draft- or heavy horse and the light, 

 quick mover. 



The people of Great Britain have always been 

 rioted for their love of agriculture and the chase. 

 From time immemorial, equine display accompanied 

 the public appearance of royalty, and this encouraged 

 outdoor sports among the people. Whoever main- 

 tained one or more horses found a ready passport 

 into society, which could not be entered in absence 

 of such ownership. While Britain's greatest strength 

 in modern times is her navy, she nevertheless main- 

 tains a numerous and efficient cavalry. 



Not the least of the forces which have long been 

 at work for the improvement of light horses is the 

 universal love of the English for outdoor sports, and 

 especially for those which test the speed and endurance 

 of the horse, as well as the skill of its rider. The 



