The JYorman Horse. 181 
" The origin of this race, according to French authorities, dates 
from the occupation of the Netherlands by the Spaniards, who 
introduced the Andalusian horse, which soon became the favorite 
stud-horse all over the continent. The Spanish horse is known to 
spring from the Barb or Arabian, introduced by the Moors on 
their conquest of that country. All who are conversant with the 
history of the horse, know that the Andalusian has always been 
celebrated for his beauty, and for his great spirit, combined with 
extraordinary powers of endurance. The French horse upon 
which he was crossed, was the old Norman draft horse, which 
still exists in the country in all its purity; and is, perhaps, the 
best of all horses for slow draft." 
The Norman horses are noted for hard work and scanty fare. 
They have the character of great endurance and energy. " With 
their necks cut to the bone, they flinch not, but put forth all their 
energy at the voice of their brutal driver, or at the crack of the 
never-ceasing whip." 
They are also noted for their great age, the rarity of spavins, 
wind galls, or other blemishes of their limbs, and for their honesty 
at a dead pull. A balky horse of this breed was seldom 
or ever known. They are very gentle and docile; a kicking or 
vicious one is rarely known; persons may pass at the heels of 
hundreds, in perfect security. 
Mr. Rowland, the present owner of the horse under notice, 
says: " When traveling in France, my attention was first at- 
tracted by the uncommon speed and endurance of the Norman 
horses, before their heavy, cumbrous diligences, loaded equal to 
one ton to each horse, in stages of ten to fifteen miles, trotting or 
running their seven miles per hour, and that too, without the 
slightest symptoms of fatigue; and when they stopped to change 
they would bite and kick each other, amid the sacres and beat- 
ings of the drivers and stable boys." 
We have before expressed our opinion, and we now repeat it, 
that in our humble judgment the Norman horse, above all others, 
is best calculated, at the present time, to improve our breed of 
horses for the road and the farm. W^e have generally too much 
of the racMjg- blood for farm labor; they are generally too light 
for the plow or heavy draft on the road; too much spirit and met- 
tle for a heavy, steady pull. W^e want to increase their weight 
without extending their height; and we know of no horse better 
calculated to accomplish the desired object than the Norman 
horse — a large animal in a small compass — capable of greater 
endurance, and keeping in good condition with comparatively a 
small allowance of grain; powerful enough for the plow, and 
speedy action for the road. 
