DISUSE OF TflE SADDLE. 81 



This summary mention of individuals embraces only a few 

 comparatively of the best representatives of the horses of the 

 west. Many others of like strain or blood are equally worthy 

 of mention, but it is not necessary at this time, as enough has 

 been said to give a comprehensive view of the general origin 

 and style of the horses of Ohio, and consequently of the States 

 farther west, which have received their stock through this 

 channel. 



The present number of horses in Ohio, as returned for taxa- 

 tion, is about 600,000, valued at $32,000,000. The last year 

 has shown a falling off in the number of hoi^ses returned in the 

 State, but the present continued high prices must induce a more 

 numeroiis propagation. 



"With the advance of wealth and cultivation in the country 

 has come the passion for fine horses, so that a handsome turn- 

 out is not confined to the gentlemen of the towns and cities, but 

 the farmers themselves delight to appear in public with as 

 good teams and carriages as the most fashionable aristocrats of 

 the land. 



Tlie sports of the turf have hardly kept up their ancient 

 renown in Ohio ; trotting matches are much more common than 

 races, especially since the introduction of the Morgans. 



The Queen City Course, at Cincinnati, the Capital City 

 Course, at Columbus ; a course at Monroeville, in Huron Co. ; 

 one at Hayesville, in Ashland Co., and others more or less in 

 disuse, are what remains of the regular stamping grounds of the 

 Jockey Clubs. In place of these, most of the county agricultural 

 societies have well graded driving rings, to which the boys re- 

 sort for exercising their fast stock. 



Aside from the regular exhibition and trial of horses at the 

 agricultural fairs, it is becoming quite customary, either for the 

 society, or an independent one, to get up an exclusive horse 

 show, some time in the s^Dring or fall, where liberal premiums 

 are awarded, and decided for the most part on the ground of 

 speed. 



The general introduction of carriages had nearly done away 



with saddles, except in the most sparsely settled parts of the 



country and with drovers ; and, in towns, it was difficult ever 



to obtain a saddle horse at a livery stable, until an original idea 



Vol. II.— 6 



