The Race Horse. 



17 



FLTIXG CIIILDEllS. 



It is now a little more than one hundred years since the first 

 importation of noted thorough-bred horses were made to this 

 country. Of the importation prior to 1800, tlie most celebrated 

 horses were Fearnaught, James JNIorton, Traveler, W'ildair, Dio- 

 nell, Medley, Shark, and Messenger. Many of the best horses of 

 England have been at different times imported, and their blood 

 mingled largely with that of the common stock of the country. 

 Race horses are most common in the Southern States, and much 

 attention is there paid to breeding and training them, In that 

 section of the country light single carriages are but little used 

 in ordinar}^ business traveling, unless in public convej^ance, be- 

 ing usually performed on horseback. For use under the saddle 

 the thorough bred horse is eminently well suited. 



In the Northern States a person is seldom seen on hor-eback. 

 Light carriages or open buggies have come into universal use, 

 and the trotting has taken the place of the saddle horse. For 

 several years past comparatively little attention has been paid in 

 breeding the thorough bred in the New England, and the Northern 

 and Western States. In Virginia and Kentucky, a great deal of 

 attention is paid to the breeding and training of the race horse, and 

 it is claimed that the best specimens of the breed in this country 

 are to be found in these States. 



It has been assert*'d by some writers that the race horse deter- 

 iorates upon being transported to this country, and that our soil 

 and climate are not well suited to best developement of his powers 



