496 



UNGULATES. 



some unknown reason, restricted to the eastern corner of the island ; and their 

 comparatively slow rate of increase is attributed to the wandering habits of the 

 stallions, which compel the mares to accompany them, whether or no the foals are 

 able to follow. These Falkland horses have roan and grey for their predominating 

 colours ; and in one part of the island are small and pony-like. The late Prof. 

 Moseley was, however, informed that their small stature in this locality was due 

 to the inferior size of the stock from which they are descended. In the peninsula 

 of Lafonia, where the wild horses of the Falklands are of larger size, Prof. Moseley 

 writes that "the strong and active horses each guard their own herd of mares. 

 They keep the closest watch over them, and if one strays at all, drive her back 

 into the herd by kicking her. The younger horses live in herds apart, but the 



more vigorous ones 

 are always on the 

 look-out to pick up 

 a mare from the 

 herds of the older 

 ones, and drive her 

 off with them, and 

 they sometimes 

 gather a few mares 

 for a short time 

 and hold them, till 

 they are recap- 

 tured. When they 

 think they are. 

 strong enough, they 

 try the strength of 

 the old horses in 

 battle, and eventu- 

 ally each old horse 

 is beaten by some 



rival and displaced. The fighting is done mainly with the tusks, and front to 

 front, not with the heels. Thus the most active and strongest males are constantly 

 selected naturally for the continuation of the herds." As in the continent of 

 South America, these wild horses are captured either by the lasso or the bolaa 

 When caught, Moseley states that they " are often broken in by tying them with 

 a raw-hide halter to a post, and leaving them for several days without food or 

 water. After long ineffectual struggles to break loose, the animals become con- 

 vinced of the absolute power over them of the halter, and in future become cowed 

 and docile directly a halter or lasso is over their heads. The wild horses, whin 

 broken in, are very tame and quiet to ride." 



The habits of the wild horses of continental South America appear to be very 

 similar to the above. There they are known by the name of cimarrones ; and are 

 captured and tamed by the Gauchos, who generally mount them at once and ride 

 them till they are tired out. The Gaucho rides with a loose rein, and his horse's 

 head almost at liberty ; and so well are the animals broken, that merely pressing 



ENGLISH BACE-HORSE ("BEND-OR"by "DONCASTER "). 



