HORSES IN' FRANCE. 39 



pally for funeral processions, hearses, etc. They should be entirely 

 free of all markings, of solid black color, and large size. There is a 

 good demand for dark sorrels if free from white markings. Saddle 

 and coach horses are docked; draft horses are sold without being 

 trimmed. In regard to gaits for horses, the only gaits required are 

 walking, trotting, and galloping. Other gaits are objectionable. 

 They insist upon horses of high action and courageous appearance. 

 Trotting stock is little known in Germany, and is wholly unappre- 

 ciated. They insist upon having the horses in good condition, and 

 prefer a horse built on the style of the English cob as a coach and 

 riding horse. 



I have mentioned the difficulties that any American is likely to 

 encounter who undertakes the business in Germany. He may pre- 

 pare himself to face them ; and if he can overcome them and form the 

 proper connections in Germany, there is money to be made in the 

 export of American horses. 



HORSES IN FRANCE. 



[Extract from a report by Mr. Edw. M. Green, of Paris, Prance.] 



ENCOURAGEMENTS FOR IMPROVING THE RACE AND FOR BREEDING. 



Much encouragement is offered by the Government, societies, and 

 individuals for horse breeding and. for improvement of the race, in 

 the way of prizes at horse shows, hippodromes, trials, and races. 



The horse shows have done much good not only in improving the 

 breed, but in showing clearly to farmers and breeders what kind and 

 class of animals they should raise and what is best fitted for the 

 requirements of the country and for exportation. Undoubtedly 

 great pains are taken in France for the improvement of the breed of 

 their horses, and the results during the last ten years are very satis- 

 factory, the statistics showing a continued increase not only in the 

 number of approved stallions, but also in the number of mares 

 served by stallions of improved breed. The business of horse breed- 

 ing is popular in France and is increasing under the encouragement 

 given by the Government -and various societies. Automobiles and 

 bicycles have undoubtedly supplanted the use of horses to some 

 extent, and the number of those animals actually needed may be some- 

 what smaller than previously. Good authorities contend that the use 

 of automobiles and bicycles will not affect the horse breeding in 

 France as much as it will the importation of foreign horses. 



HORSES AND THEIR USES. 



Of the total number of horses in France about 1,080,000 horses and 

 geldings and about 1,020,000 mares are employed for farming and 

 agricultural purposes. 



