Present Varieties of the Horse. 2 5 



so, and is a horse bred for racing, but too slow for that 

 purpose, yet with a fine form and good action, which are 

 required for the manege. He must have good shoulders, 

 so as to be able to use his fore-legs ; and his hind quar- 

 ters should be so formed as to give complete command of 

 the whole weight which he carries ; in other words, he 

 must be well upon his haunches. Most chargers are at 

 least 16 hands high, and some still higher. The Heavy 

 Troop Horse is a discarded hunter, that is, a horse bred 

 for that purpose, but considered too heavy to gallop the 

 pace which is wanted. He is therefore sold at troop-horse 

 price, which in time of peace was ^24, now somewhat 

 raised. The household troops are mounted on black 

 horses, some of which are bred expressly for the regiments 

 by Yorkshire breeders, and others imported from Belgium. 

 The Light Troop Horses are obtained from all sources, 

 and many of them now, as might be expected from the 

 price, are very wooden and inferior animals. The sum 

 devoted to the purpose will not procure a good service- 

 able animal, coupled with tolerably good looks ; and as 

 this latter quality is sought for by colonels of regiments, 

 utility is too often sacrificed to it. Very few of these 

 horses are up to more than 14 st, and yet they have to 

 carry 18 St., so that it is no wonder that in actual service 

 they break down. 



The Galloway is a breed which is much encouraged 

 by the Welsh farmers, and in other districts where the grass 

 is of a poor quality, and will not suit larger and less hardy 

 horses. It is serviceable for all general purposes, but sel- 

 dom very fast on the gallop. These animals are said to 

 be descended from Norman blood, a stallion of that breed 

 having been much used among them in Wales some years 

 ago. They are hardy and safe, but somewhat obstinate 

 and unruly. The north-country galloways are scarcely so 

 good in their shoulders, but they have more speed in the 

 gallop, and make better covert hacks in consequence. 



The Shetland Pony is the least of the species in this 

 country, and often under 1 1 hands. These ponies are very 

 quick and active, and will walk, canter, and gallop, with 

 good action, but seldom trot well. 



