BREEDING ARMY HORSES. 61 



hunters of greater or less value, we were 

 over fastidious ; but, be that as it may, 

 the average British troop horse of the 

 present era seemed to us about fit for a 

 country carrier's cart, or to go to plough 

 on very light land. Nevertheless, they did 

 their work, long hours of manoeuvring under 

 heavy weight and a blazing sun, and I 

 believe did it well, so it may fairly be 

 asked. What more would you reqiiire in 

 horse or man ? 



Still, I fancy, and I believe it is the opinion 

 of many cavalry ofiicers who have served 

 in that country (though esprit de corps 

 might render them reluctant to admit it), 

 that our Indian cavalry, at any rate in a 

 long campaign, would ride round the British, 

 mounted as the latter are; their horses, 

 though smaller, being so much better shaped 

 — and bred. To carry weight for long dis- 

 tances day after day, with perhaps occasional 

 sharp bursts at nearly full speed, you must 



