BREEDS OF HORSES 131 
has been influenced, directly or indirectly, by the blood 
of the original races, especially the Oriental. A few of 
these, known as Arabian blood, were fundamentally used 
in crossing with the native mares of western Europe. 
From these beginnings, with subsequent crosses, various 
breeds were evolved. But the Arabian blood was not 
without great influence. As early as the days of the 
Crusades, Arabian horses had been brought to England 
and there used in the improvement of the horse stock. 
The English Thoroughbred is the result of such crosses. 
Although several original races were used to produce the 
Thoroughbred, the Oriental predominates. 
The best known ancestors of the English Thoroughbred are 
Byerly Turk, Darley Arabian and Godolphin Barb, all taken from 
the east to the west. The modern Thoroughbred owes its great- 
ness to English breeders and not to Arab breeders. These horses 
are primarily famous as racers or running horses. Their chief 
qualities are rapid gait and staying power. In form and every 
action a noble origin is revealed. The Thoroughbred has a small, 
refined head; a delicate, long neck; keen and intelligent eyes; skin 
and hair so fine that the veins show through them; broad chest; 
long and robust back and straight croup; and long, lean, delicate 
legs with hard tendons and solid hoofs. Although Arabian blood 
did much to improve the Thoroughbred, it has been the blood of 
the pure English breeding that has been sought and used in the 
production of other modern breeds. 
AMERICAN TROTTING Horses 
The horse at the left is Uhlan, the world’s fastest trotting horse. 
