THE GOVERNMENT STUDS OF FRANCE. 133 



This places horse-breeding entirely under government control, 

 as far as the stallions, which so greatly control results, can do. 



" The coach stallions used in France are the descendants and 

 possess a combination of the Arab and the French and English 

 thoroughbreds. The most famous trotting families of this breed 

 are the result of the mingling of the blood of the Norfolk trot- 

 ters, a breed that, through Imported Belfounder, has given to 

 American trotters much of their renown, imported Phenome- 

 non in France corresponding to imported Belfounder in the 

 United States. 



" The uniting of all of the valuable qualities of the various 

 breeds, and concentrating them through several generations 

 under the direction of a single mind, has developed a race of 

 such size and perfect symmetry, and a wonderful endurance 

 that makes it possible for them to trot, as three and four-year- 

 olds, the three to seven mile races common to that country. 

 Although they do not attain the high speed of American Trot- 

 ters, when we consider the size of the animals, many of them 

 attaining a weight of 1,300 to 1,400 pounds in trotting con- 

 dition, their cumbersome vehicles or heavy-weight riders and 

 inferior tracks, we cannot but recognize that they possess 

 qualities worthy of consideration. 



" The National Studs are supplied with these stallions from 

 various parts of France where the breed has attained its highest 

 perfection. The mares are owned by the breeders of the 

 country, and the stallions are in use by the government, which 

 buys large numbers to keep up its supply. 



" The finest of these horses are bred in the department of 

 Calvados, where, in the fall of every year, the government pur- 

 chases are made. 



" The French Coach Horse of to-day stands from 16 to 16£ 

 hands high and weighs from 1,350 to 1,500 pounds ; high on 

 withers, deep, sloping shoulders ; very long neck, well cut up in 

 throttle ; fine ears, well set ; broad forehead with large, intelligent 

 eyes, indicating good disposition and spirit ; short back ; well 

 sprung rib ; strong, full loin ; long, level quarter ; tail well set, a 



