years of peace in between were generally followed with great suc- 

 cess in horse-breeding and raising of stock. Horse-breeding, owing 

 to their continuous moving, hunting and fighting was given great 

 attention and Remount officers for the Indian Army found in 1854 

 many good specimens beyond the Orange river.'^ 



These horses are described as large and fine. For fresh blood 

 the farmers depended on the large studs of the Hantam. The 

 studs of the van Zyl's, Theunissen 's, Louw's, Robertson's and 

 others were very famous. Thoroughbred stallions bought from the 

 Government were sold to the Orange Free State farmers and so 

 keen have they been to possess them that farmers in the Colony 

 were prohibited to sell any imported stallions to the Orange Free 

 State farmers before the period of two years after they have pos- 

 sessed them has expired. 



The Hantam studs at that period possessed very good quality. 

 Amongst others were such worthies as Sir Ilorcules imported in 

 utero and true son of the Great Irish horse of the same name. Sor- 

 cerer, War Eagle, Evenus, Turpin, Sir Amyas Leigh and Cham- 

 pagne Charlie. Damascus (Arab) by brood mares of % thorough- 

 bred blood made Mr. van Zyl famous as a successful breeder of race 

 horses. The mare Witkous by Damascus bred to Express the fol- 

 lowing winners : Sir Reuben, Prince Alexis, Good Hope, Rob Roy, 

 Hantam Belle and Bonnie Lassie dam of the winners and breeders 

 Hardcash and Prosecutor. "These were all good winners and 

 could stay forever. All these along with Pearl Diver and many 

 more produced progemy that could be on a par with those of any 

 other country."'* 



In those days the great breeders were determined to have the 

 best and paid up to £600 (3000 dollars) and more for good stal- 

 lions. Thoroughbreds, with plenty of bone, great size and good rec- 

 ord. With sires of this class and the veld everything to be desired 

 it is no wonder that good animals were bied.'° 



The various means of conveyance and transportation with the 

 attendant effect on horse-breeding deserve a few remarks. 



One of the first undertakings of every colonising settlement is 

 the creation of an efficient system of transportation and means of 



(73) Blue Books of 1858. Papers delating to Purchase of Horses at the Cape 



of Good Hope for Cavalry and Artillery Service in the Colony and India. 



(74) The Agri. Journal of the Cape Colony Vol. XXVI. 



(75) The Agri. Journal of the Cape Colony Vol. XXVI. 



35 



