THE II0K8E AND ITS DISEASES. i( 



too low, but the ribs round, and the croup round and 

 full, and the legs well formed and clear of hair, and the 

 sinews at a distance from the bone, active and ready in 

 their places, of a quick apprehension, a memory sing-u- 

 larly faithful, obedient to the utmost proof, docile and 

 affectionate to man, yet full of spirit and courage." 



The Portuguese Horse. 



There was a time when the Lusitanian of Portuguese 

 horses were highly celebrated. The Roman historian, 

 Justin, compares their swiftness to that of the winds, 

 and adds, that many of them might be said to be born 

 of the winds, while Berenger, who lived at the time 

 when the glory of the Spanish horse had not quite faded 

 away, says, that the Portugal horses are in no repute, 

 and differ as much from their neighbours, the Spaniards, 

 as crabs from apples. 



The French Horse. 



According to the survey of 1829, Trance contained 

 2,400,000 horses, including those of every description; 

 the number of mares was 1,227,781 ; the greater part 

 of these were employed in the breeding of mules, and 

 perhaps not more than the fourth part were used for 

 keeping up the number of horses. Besides these, nearly 

 27,000 horses are annually imported into Prance, either 

 on speculation of immediate sale, or for the express 

 purpose of improving the breed. Two-thirds of the 

 Prench breed are devoted to the purpose of light work, 

 and possesses a certain degree, and that gradually 

 increasing, of Eastern blood. It must be supposed that 

 so extensive a country as Prance, possesses various breeds 

 of horses. AuvergTie and Poiton produce good ponies 

 and galloways, but the best Prench horses are bred in 

 Limousin and jN'ormandy. Prom the former district 

 come excellent saddle horses and hunters, and from the 

 latter, a stronger species for the road, the cavalry service, 

 and the carriage. Prance, in the year 1837, hand 215 



