Horse-Breeding in France 



At the conclusion of the wars which called forth all her 

 strength in the earlier years of the nineteenth century, the 

 want of horses in France engaged the serious attention of 

 the Government. Commissioners were appointed to travel 

 through the country and ascertain what horses of certain old 

 and esteemed breeds could be procured to re-stock the Royal 

 Studs ; and measures were adopted to encourage private- 

 breeders. 



The Sporting Magazine of iS^o contains translation 

 of a minute presented by the Minister of the Interior to- 

 Louis XVIII. recommending a number of gentlemen for gold 

 and silver medals in recognition of the work they had done 

 and were doing to promote the breeding of horses. Some 

 details are given of the studs owned by these gentlemen, and 

 from these it would appear that Arabs and Spanish stallions 

 found place in several private studs. 



From the same publication we learn that for some 

 years prior to 1820 foreign breeders had ceased to buy 

 only Thoroughbreds in England to improve their stocks,, 

 and "great numbers of our half-bred mares have been 

 collected and sent abroad." The trade then established has. 

 continued ever since, as has been shown on pages 6 and 7, 

 under the heading " Purchase of English Mares by 

 Foreigners." 



"Cecil," in an article on vaLcm^ in the. Sporting Magazine 

 of 1 85 1, says horses for general use were then very scarce in 

 England, whilst the French Government were encouraging 

 their production, more especially that of powerful animals for 

 military purposes and for general utility. 



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