1 4 Present Varieties of the Horse. 



they cannot long be maintained in their original purity 

 without injury. 



The Belgian and Dutch horses are now imported 

 into this country in considerable numbers, and for slow 

 work are very serviceable. They are, however, most of 

 them too heavy and lumbering for anything but machiners, 

 and even in that department they require care not to 

 over-drive them. Most of the horses for our "black work " 

 are from this sort, and many also of the black cavalry 

 horses. 



The Norman horse, again, is a much more hardy and 

 compact animal, but still slow as compared with our breeds. 

 He is, however, gifted with an excellent constitution, and 

 with legs and feet which will stand rattling to any extent. 

 These horses are generally low and short-legged, as com- 

 pared with the Belgians. 



The Spanish horse is much crossed with the Barb, 

 and has the good head and neck of that breed, but coupled 

 with a weak and drooping hind-quarter and a very light 

 middle-piece. The shoulders and legs are, however, good ; 

 and he is more useful than his look would warrant an 

 Englishman in believing possible, when comparing him 

 with English horses. 



The American and Canadian breeds vary a great 

 deal, and are made up of the original Spanish stock crossed 

 with English, Arabian, and Barb importations. Climate, 

 however, has done much for them ; and they have all the 

 wiriness of frame and elasticity of muscle which their 

 masters possess. As trotters they are unrivalled, and in 

 endurance stand very high ; but they are not remarkable 

 for beauty, though not showing any peculiarly unsightly 

 points. Some of our best horses have been exported to 

 America, especially to Virginia, where Tranby, Priam, and 

 many others have done good service. The importers to 

 that country have always been careful to select sound as 

 well as stout blood, and have not hesitated to invest large 

 sums in order to procure it. 



The English Thorough-bred. We are indebted 

 to the Stuarts for the first great improvement made in the 

 breed of our horses, James I. and Charles I. having intro- 



