accounts of agricultural pursuits in South Africa during the 18th 

 century. They owned large studs each from 300-400 hoi'ses in 

 the best grazing districts (Malmesbury and North Cape Colony — 

 New and Old Hantam — Calvinia, Hanover and Colesberg.)*^^ Their 

 exertions have undoubtedly done much for the ennobling of the 

 breed of horses in the Colony, and especially of the Hantam type to 

 which almost all the farmers turned for their stallions. 



During the first half of the 18th century there was a steady 

 influx of Thoroughbred blood. The imported stallions were sold to 

 the best breeders or buyers. Manj^- of the best found their way to 

 the Hantam studs and its old reputation was kept up and the stand- 

 ard highly improved. A certain farmer rode 400 miles on horse- 

 back with a saddlebag full of money to buy Turpin.*'' 



Considerable improvement has been made in the development 

 of horse-breeding since the importation of Thoroughbred stallions 

 as has been proved by numerous letters in reply to a circular sent 

 out by Lord Charles Somerset to those farmers who bought of the 

 horses imported. 



To get an idea of this great impetus the breed of horses received 

 it would be necessary to pursue some of these replies to the gover- 

 nor's circular asking what effect the using of Thoroughbreds as 

 sires has had on their studs and in their incomes. 



Letters from Mr. D. van Reenen to Capt. Hare Aid-de-camp 

 to H. E. the Governor, dated Sept, 28, 1825.^* 



"Sir : — In answer to your inquiry made by desire of H. E., the Gov- 

 ernor whether the breeding of horses has been a profitable specu- 

 lation to my father since tlie purchase of English stallions. I have 

 the honor to inform you that my family were known to have been 

 the -first breeders of horses in the Colony and consequently likely 

 to pursue the best methods. 



About nine years ago we thought it expedient to purchase two 

 English stallions since when our annual profit from breeding horses 

 has been two-thirds greater, a proof of the benefit derived by the 

 introduction of English blood stallions. Allow me to inform you 

 that horse-breeding is now a more lucrative employment than any 

 other description of agriculture ****** The following 

 extract from my books will serve to verify my assertion. 



(62) Litchtenstein — George McCall Theal — Becords of C. C, etc- 



(63) D. HutcJieon M. B. C. V. S. in Aar. Journ. of C. C. Vol. XXXIII. 



(64) Becords of the Cape Colony Vol. XVII. 



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