64 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. 



The horses of China are small, and have no points of excellence as tm 

 either shape or spirit. 



The horses of 1 urkestan have been described by some as having heavy 

 heads and ewe-necks, with long legs and a scanty? body ; while otbei-* 

 speak of high crests and long, bony bodies, and assert these hor»e# 

 crossed with those of Persia, produce magnificent animals — elegant* 

 active, strong, and larger than the best Arabians. In Bokhara is a breed 

 of small and shaggy but stout horses, called Kussaks, which has attracted 

 some attention. Their manes and tails are long as compared with their 

 general make up. 



Bel2:ium, Holland, and the German states have breeds of horses noted 

 only, or chiefly at least, for being large, strong, and well-formed, and 

 admirably adapted to purposes of heav}^ draft. 



In the forests of Sweden, Finland, and Norway is found a race of 

 horses in a half wild state, from which the inhabitants, mthout taking 

 upon themselves the trouble of breeding and rearing, suppW themselves 

 when the creatures are wanted for use. They are small, but well-formed. 

 active, and spirited. 



The Hungarian horse, though e^'idently of the same origin as those of 

 Germany, is somewhat lighter than they, and possesses more spirit and 

 action. He shows some signs of oriental blood, to which he probably 

 owes his superiority to his neighbors. 



The horses of Iceland run at large and pick up their own scanty fare, 

 wherever they can find it, until they are needed by the inhabitants, when 

 they are caught and subjected to use. The origin of these animals is in 

 doubt. Some assert that their progenitors were carried into that island 

 from the forests of SAveden ; others, that they were of the stock of 

 ponies found in the Scottish isles. They are small, but active, and gen- 

 erally well disposed. 



The horses of Italy were formerly much better than now. Few of 

 them may at present be regarded as possessing any striking excellence. 

 There are said to ))e some, among the people of Naples, that are large, 

 cf fine appearance, and excellent as carriage horses. 



The French people have many breeds, adapted to the saddle, the light 

 «arria«-e, cavalry, and light artillery, besides those that are required for 

 the plow and the cart. The most famous among them is the Norman, 

 or Norman Percheron, which is described elsewhere in this chapter. 



The fact is well established that the horses of Spain, previous to tho 

 Moorish conquest, were possessed of many noble qualities ; but they 

 were much improved by a mixture of Barb blood, consequent upon th» 

 \xvasion and the introduction of horses from the Barbary States. The^ 



