14 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



the splendour of their equestrian trappings. They were at 

 a later period imitated by the Persians, and immense droves 

 of these animals were reared in the plains of Assyria and 

 Persia. One author speaks of 150,000 horses feeding on 

 one vast plain near the Caspian Gates. The Nyssean horses 

 used by the Kings of Persia are declared to have been the 

 finest in the world — a pre-eminence apparently claimed by 

 every nation that ever possessed a horse ; and we may also 

 add by very many individuals who have owned one. 



Very much could also be said about the horse in Greece, 

 as also among the Romans. Among the latter people the 

 knowledge of the horse became more accurate, and a 

 number of the Roman writers on rural affairs introduce 

 notices of the various breeds, as also of the diseases of the 

 horse and their remedies. During the period that the 

 Roman emperors were busied with foreign wars, and 

 maintaining a numerous cavalry, professional veterinarii 

 were appointed to the several legions, and the horse and 

 his diseases were systematically studied. Among the many 

 references to the horse in Roman literature, one of the 

 most interesting to Englishmen must be Caesar's description 

 of the horse of Britain, and of its use in connection with 

 war-chariots by the inhabitants of the British Isles. These 

 British horses, though small of stature, were much prized for 

 their spirit and powers of endurance, and for a considerable 

 time became in request in various parts of Europe. In 

 Great Britain the year 1112 is important in the equestrian 

 annals of the country, as witnessing the first introduction 

 into the country of the African horse — one in England and 

 one in Scotland. Both these animals were true Barbs from 

 Morocco, procured doubtless through the agency of Jew- 

 dealers. There is no breed which has exercised so great an 

 influence upon the stock of these islands as the Barb, and 

 none more deserving of kindness for the admirable qualities 

 they possess. 



A very interesting feature in connection with the horse 

 is the extraordinary variety in the matter of breed, size, 

 quality, use, and training we find throughout the 

 countries of the world. In these respects, we find every 

 country having features of its own, and more or less 

 different from those of other countries. In Europe, we find 

 say France, Germany, Hungary, Norway, Russia, and other 

 countries, all somewhat differing from each other. The 



