ON HORSE-BREEDING. 23 



ships were carried a considerable number of 

 Andalusian stallions, then deemed the best 

 in Europe, many of which, being saved, were 

 of service in improving the native breed. 



These Andalusians were horses of fine ap- 

 pearance and spirit, not very large, but 

 compactly built, with lofty crests and action, 

 but wide of chest and probably slow. Almost 

 any importation of fresh blood must have 

 been at that time of value ; but though 

 the rescued Andalusian, so far as he went, 

 may have improved the appearance of the 

 miserable garron probably in ordinary use 

 at that period, it was not until the succeed- 

 ing dynasty that any considerable advance 

 was made in the speed of the native pro- 

 duct. We are, in fact, indebted to the 

 Stuarts for the foundations of our thorough- 

 bred stock. 



The first clear account we have of an 

 Eastern, or pedigree horse being brought to 

 this country was in the reign of James I., 



