THOROUGHBRED HORSE 97 



Characteristics. — This breed of horses is noted for 

 beauty, endurance, and fearlessness. They are strongly 

 and symmetrically built, and stand about 14^ hands high. 

 The colors may be white, gray, bay, chestnut, brown, or 

 black. 



THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE 



This term is properly appUed only to a distinct breed of 

 horses developed principally in England. 



History. — It is thought that the ancestry of the Thor- 

 oughbred traces back to Oriental and African horses, that 

 were brought into the British Isles as far back as the 

 seventh or eighth centuries. From these horses some of 

 the best of the progeny were selected to serve for cavalry 

 and racing purposes. By selecting the fastest and largest 

 ones the general improvement of the breed was accom- 

 pHshed. 



In America, the Thoroughbred horse has attained as 

 much perfection as in the British Isles. The first ones 

 were introduced into Virginia as early as 1730, and in that 

 state are now found some of the best horses of the breed, 

 which are used for hunting and pleasure purposes. 



Characteristics. — ■ They have been bred pure longer than 

 any other known breed and have been developed primarily 

 for speed under the saddle ; consequently the form evolved 

 is best suited for that purpose. The typical Thoroughbred 

 is extremely refined about the head with fine ears and a 

 rather straight profile. The eye is clear and bright, indi- 

 cating great nervous strength and endurance. The neck 

 is long and slender and the head is carried low rather than 

 high, as is the case of the more styHsh carriage horses. 

 The body is long and sinuous; and in strong contrast with 



T. AND L. ANIMAL HUSB. 7 



