26 



loss we deplore — when mounted upon his black 

 charger, weighed 22 stone. 



The encouragement and help lent by Govern- 

 ment gave an impetus to the Old War Horse, 

 and the large breed spread throughout England 

 and especially through the districts between the 

 Humber and the Cam, occupying the rich fen lands 

 of Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire, and extending 

 westward through the counties of Huntingdon, 

 Bedford, Northampton, Leicester, Nottingham, 

 Derby, Warwick, and Stafford to the Severn ; but 

 while extensively bred upon these rich and succulent 

 pastures, the breed was not confined to the counties 

 just named. It was to be found both northward and 

 southward, and retained its typical character, varying 

 but slightly with the soil, climate, and food. 



After the period when armour went out of use, 

 by reason of the introduction of improved firearms, 

 the^ breed was still maintained, as the increased 

 wealth of the country created a demand for massive 

 animals adapted to other purposes than for war. 



The smaller mares of this large breed of horse 

 were crossed with the racehorse of that day, and 

 threw superior foals, suitable, when grown up, for 

 carrying heavy weights in the saddle, and for tugging 

 coachesj carriages, and similar conveyances along 

 primifeive roads. 



It must not be forgotten, however, that down to 

 the end of the 17th century, agricultural operations 

 were,, in the main, carried on by oxen. 



