CHAPTER V 



A retrospective summary — The beginning of the end — Supersti- 

 tion of the horseshoe — The Bedouins and their horses — Some classic 

 thoroughbreds of modern times — Horses hypnotised — The Derby 

 and the Oaks — Horse racing in Mongolia — Conclusion. 



TX7"ITH the early years of our reigning sove- 

 reign's period the long story of the horse's 

 progress through history may be deemed to have 

 come practically to an end. 



We have seen how the very early races of Asia, 

 of Africa, and of Europe were enabled to spread 

 their power, and were assisted in protecting them- 

 selves against the onslaughts of their numerous 

 enemies, by possessing many horses upon which 

 they could depend implicitly in the hour of 

 strife. 



The Egyptians, Medes, Persians, Syrians, 

 Scythians, Libyans, Carthaginians, Macedonians, 

 Numidians — all owed their series of successes 

 in a great measure to the fact that they owned 

 horses when their antagonists either had none 

 at all, or else only a few, and those of an 

 indifferent stamp. 



Thus through the whole course of history the 

 influence of the horse can be traced. 



Rome, until after the conquest of Gaul, was 

 281 



