47 



care in painting horses. The strain of North 

 German and Flanders blood was at this 

 period so strongly represented in our Eng- 

 lish Great Horses of the best stamp that we 

 need not enquire whether this horse was of 

 German, Flemish or English origin ; the 

 character of all being practically the same. 

 The abundance of the plaited mane will be 

 remarked in this picture. 



The reflection that the Duke of New- 

 castle's careful work came somewhat late to 

 fulfil its direct purpose crosses the mind of 

 the student. During the latter half of the 

 seventeenth century armour fell into disuse, 

 and the interests of Great Horse breeding 

 appear to have been neglected. Charles H. 

 was a racing monarch, and James H. 

 during his brief reign seems to have done 

 nothing. William III. established a riding 

 academy and brought over a French riding 

 master, one Major Foubert, to direct it. 

 The Great Horse, no longer required for 

 military serxice, was no longer a saddle 

 horse, and took its place as a beast of 

 draught. From this time forward, therefore, 

 we shall glvt^ it the name which associates 

 it with agriculture and commerce, and speak 

 of the Shirr Horse. 



