HORSES PAST AND 
PRESENT. 
First among animals which man_ has 
domesticated, or brought under control to 
do him service, stands the horse. The 
beauty of his form, his strength, speed and 
retentive memory, alike commend him to 
admiration ; the place he holds, whether in 
relation to our military strength, our com- 
mercial and agricultural pursuits, or our 
pleasures, is unique. Whether as servant 
or companion of man the horse stands alone 
among animals. 
There can be no doubt but that the horse 
was broken to man’s service at an early 
period of the world’s history. The art of 
taming him was first practised by the 
peoples of Asia and Africa, who earliest 
attained to a degree of civilisation; but 
whether he was first ridden or driven is a 
question which has often been debated with 
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