68 THE HORSE IN HISTORY 



charger ridden by Turnus was also a Thracian 

 horse, with markings somewhat similar. 



The following description in the third book 

 of Virgil's " Georgics " gives us most likely an 

 approximate idea of some points that were looked 

 for in a good horse in the last century B.C. : — 



" Choose with like care the courser's generous breed, 

 And from his birth prepare the parent steed. 

 His colour mark, select the glossy bay, 

 And to the white or dun prefer the grey. 

 As yet a colt he stalks with lofty pace, 

 And balances his limbs with flexile grace : 

 First leads the way, the threatening torrent braves, 

 And dares the unknown arch that spans the waves. 

 Light on his airy crest his slender head, 

 His belly short, his loins luxuriant spread : 

 Muscle on muscle knots his brawny breast, 

 No fear alarms him, nor vain shouts molest. 

 But at the clash of arms, his ear afar 

 Drinks the deep sound, and vibrates to the war : 

 Flames from each nostril roll in gathered stream, 

 His quivering limbs with restless motion gleam, 

 O'er his right shoulder, floating full and fair, 

 Sweeps his thick mane, and spreads its pomp of hair : 

 Swift works his double spine, and earth around 

 Rings to his solid hoof that wears the ground." 



Though chariots were still in use among the 

 Belgic tribes who inhabited the south-eastern 

 portion of the island when, in 55 B.C., Caesar 

 invaded Britain, cavalry must have been coming 

 into vogue with them, for we read that "no 

 sooner were these tribes warned to be prepared 



