SECRETARY'S REPORT. 157 



And feet that iron never shod, 



And flanks unscarred by spur or rod — 



A thousand horse, the wild, the free, 



Like waves that follow o'er the sea. 



On came the troop — 



They stop, — they start, — they snuff the air, 



Gallop a moment here and there, 



Approach, retire, wheel round and round, 



Then plunging back with sudden bound ; 



They snort, they foam, neigh, swerve aside, 



And backward to the forest fly." 



The horse, in a state of domestication, is employed under the 

 saddle for racing, for hunting; in war, for carrying burdens, or 

 in riding upon business, or for pleasure ; and in harness he is 

 used for racing, for driving upon the road with light vehicles, 

 or with heavier carriages, or, finally, for the performance of 

 ordinary farm labor, or for slow draught. 



In England, where the various classes of society are quite 

 distinct and wealth abundant, horses have long been bred with 

 special reference to each of the above-named uses, and conse- 

 quently the varieties thus produced are there found in the 

 highest perfection. 



In order more intelligently to discuss the merits of the differ- 

 ent breeds of horses, and the proper method of improving our 

 own, let us first endeavor to become familiar with the charac- 

 teristic points of the model roadster. By reference to the fol- 

 lowing engraving and explanations, the name and position of 

 the important parts of the horse may be readily learned by 

 those who are unacquainted with them :— 



20* 



