220 THE HORSE IN SERVICE 



With the invention of gunpowder the type of war horse was 

 modified in accordance with the change in methods of warfare. 

 Our modem cavalry charger is quite a different horse from the 

 ancient " Great Horse " of the armored knight, which eventually 

 became the prototype of our present drafter. 



In ancient times it was customary for the victors in a con- 

 flict to drive their chariots through the towns in celebration of 

 their victory, a practice now emulated by college students. This 

 led to the adoption of the chariot as a feature not allied to war 

 but representing the Church and State. White horses were pre- 

 ferred for this service, and a race of white horses was perpetu- 

 ated in Lombardy and the purity of their lineage was guarded 

 with great zeal solely for this purpose. The horse has been an 

 important factor in civil and religions ceremoniesi ever since. 



At an early period the horse was engaged in the sports and 

 pastimes of the people. During the latter half of the twelfth 

 century jirimitive horse sports, the most remote antecedents of 

 modern polo and the gymkhana, were popular in England. In 

 ISYT the first race was run between Richard Second and the Earl 

 of Arundel. Racing and hunting have been followed in England 

 for five centuries. 



The general use of horses in the industries came later, 

 although there is evidence of their having worked at draft in 

 England during the eleventh century. Their importance in this 

 line of service has increased in proportion to the development of 

 agricidture and commerce. 



Man's Obligation to the Horse in Service. — The horse is an 

 involuntary, dependent party of the second part to all contracts ; 

 a silent and submissive partner in his alliance with his master. 

 Theirs is a business relation in which the credits are all on one 

 side, the debits on the other, and the horse is never accorded an 

 accounting. Yet if the master would be fair and equitable, he 

 must either concede a moral if not a civil obligation to pay for 

 services rendered, or exact only such service as his care and 

 management of his horses has placed to his credit. 



In the feral state the horse is self-sustaining, expending his 

 energy by utilizing his power or speed in securing feed, water, 



