The Norman Horse. 23 



variably fair roadsters, and excellent farm-horses. This 

 cross is more and more finding favor among our farm- 

 ers. 



THE NORMAN HORSE. 



The origin of the most esteemed variety of the Nor- 

 man horse, is said to have been a cross between the 

 Andalusian stock of Spain, (which were derived from 

 a cross of the Arabian or Barb,) and the old Norman 

 draught horse. They are remarkable for their strength, 

 good wind, and great power of endurance. It is said, 

 " with their necks cut to the bone, they flinch not ; 

 they put forth all their efforts at the voice of the driver, 

 or at the dreaded sound of his whip ; they keep their 

 condition when ot/ier horses would die of neglect and 

 hard treatment. A better cross for some of our horses 

 of a certain description, cannot be imagined, if we wish 

 to produce, in any reasonable time, a most invaluable 

 race of horses for the farm and the road, than to breed 

 from the full-sized Norman horse." They are so hardy 

 that there is but little risk in raising them. They are 

 very gentle and docile, free from vicious habits, and 

 at the same time, lively. They break-in without any 

 difficulty. They cannot be called a fast horse, though 

 there are many smart ones among the ordinary road 

 horses. The postmen and stage proprietors in France 

 use them exclusively. They drive them before the 

 mail coaches at the rate of eight miles an hour, includ- 

 ing stops. They are generally about 15 hands high, 

 and weigh 1,100 lbs. 



