THE FRENCH COACH HORSE 



149 



possible exception of the Hackney. The common colors 

 are bay, black, brown and chestnut. 



The trotting type. — This is the smaller and perhaps 

 more rangy sort ; for, as might be expected, it is somewhat 

 like the Norfolk trotter in general appearance, as the 

 parentage is somewhat similar and the racing is con- 

 ducted much as' in Norfolk, largely under the saddle 

 and carrying not less 

 than 120 pounds. In 

 this type stamina 

 and substance as 

 well as speed are re- 

 quired, since the 

 races are for long 

 distances over turf, 

 which demands 

 strong, bold going 

 and powerful action. 



Speed records and 

 race tracks. — For 

 many years racing 

 under the saddle has 

 been very popular 

 among the French Coach breeders of France. In 1873 Niger 

 trotted 2.y2 miles in 6.55 ; in 1875 Zethus trotted I2j4 miles in 

 37.21, while Caen trotted the same distance in 37.19; and in 

 1877 the mare Zacinthe trotted 18% miles on an ordinary 

 road in 59 minutes. Up to 1877 the fastest record was by 

 Pactole, who trotted 2J/2 miles in 6.38. In 1891, there 

 were 1,399 contestants in races, 312 of which trotted races 

 from 2 to 3% miles in less than three minutes per mile, 

 137 under 2.50, 112 under 2.45 and 62 under 2.40. Of the 

 312, there were loi three-year-olds. The average dis- 

 tance was 2%6 miles; the average time per mile, 2.50; 

 the fastest time for the three-year-olds, distance 2y2 

 miles, 6.33; and the fastest time for the five to seven- 

 year-olds, distance 3^ miles, was eight minutes. 



Fio. 86. — French Coach Stallion "Fadiavolo" 



