xt7bg737153x https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7bg737153x/data/mets.xml Linsley, D. C. (Daniel Chipman), 1827-1889. 1857 books b98-39-41899999 English C.M. Saxton, : New York : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Morgan horse. Horses Pedigrees. Morgan horses : a premium essay on the origin, history, and characteristics of this remarkable American breed of horses ; tracing the pedigree from the original Justin Morgan, through the most noted of his progeny, down to the present time ; with numerous portraits, to which are added hints for breeding, breaking, and general use and management of horses, with practical directions for training them for exhibition at agricultural fairs / by D.C. Linsley . text Morgan horses : a premium essay on the origin, history, and characteristics of this remarkable American breed of horses ; tracing the pedigree from the original Justin Morgan, through the most noted of his progeny, down to the present time ; with numerous portraits, to which are added hints for breeding, breaking, and general use and management of horses, with practical directions for training them for exhibition at agricultural fairs / by D.C. Linsley . 1857 2002 true xt7bg737153x section xt7bg737153x
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MORGAN HORSES:
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O N
THE ORIGIN, HISTORY, AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS REMARKBLE
AMERICAN BREED OF HORSES;
TRACING THE PEDIGREE
FROM THE ORIGINAL JUSTIN MORGAN, THROUGH THE MOST NOTED OF HIS
PROGENY, DOWN TO TILE PRESENT TIME.
WITH NUMEROUS PORTRAITS.
TO WHICH ARE ADDED
HINTS FOR BREEDING, BREAKING, AND GENERAL USE AND
MIANAGEMENT OF HORSES,
WITH
PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR TRAINING THEM FOR
AGRICULTURAL FAIRS.
XHIBITION AT
BY
D. 0. LINSLEY,
MIDDLEBURY, VT.
NEW YORK:
C. M. SAXTON AND COMIPANY,
AGRICULTUIAL BOOK PUBLISHERS,
No. 140 FULTON STREET.
1857.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by
C. M. SAXTON AND COMPANY,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New York.
E 0. JENKINS,
J rilter aun tereotu per,
No. 26 FRANKFORT STREET.
PREFACE
MORGAN HORSES as a distinct and remarkabie breed,
originating in Vermont, and principally bred there,
have long been well known to the horsemen of New
England, and within a few years, to the people of the
West and South, who, having become acquainted with
them, have manifested a strong desire to introduce
them into their sections of the country.
The author of the following work was acquainted
with these horses in Vermont, and familiar with their
peculiar form and action. But it was not until he en-
gaged in the prosecution of a great public work, at the
West in 1852, that he became fully aware of their ex-
traordinary hardiness, speed and endurance, from
severe use and daily comparison of them with horses
of different style.
Having determined to breed from this stock, it in-
duced a careful examination into the different families
which have sprung from the original or Justin Morgan.
PREFACE.
In the course of these inquiries a mass of information
was accumulated, with much labor and considerable
expense, which was deemed too valuable to be lost.
After determining to preserve it by publication in
some form, every effort was made to obtain the most
reliable information upon all disputed points; in re-
gard to the origin of the breed, the history of the
most distinguished families, and their present condi-
tion.
To make the work useful to breeders who are un-
acquainted with them, the peculiarities of the different
families have been carefully pointed out, and full
and minute descriptions given of most of the sons
and grandsons of the original horse, with their pedi-
gree, so far as it could be ascertained, and also the
pedigree and description of many other stallions of
the breed, more remotely descended from the Justin
Morgan.
A large number of cuts have been used, most of
which have been traced from daguerreotypes, and can
therefore be relied upon as correct portraits of the
forms of the animals they are intended to represent.
4n examination of these cuts will enable a gccd
iv
PREFACE.
horseman to become familiar with the peculiar form
which is so distinguishing a feature of these horses,
and leave him in little doubt as to the cause of their
remarkable qualities.
If size is, as is claimed by some, the measure of
power, it will be found that form is the measure of
action. Too much size is, indeed, incompatible with
rapid and long-continued action.
The most casual observer of a good Morgan horse,
is conscious that he sees a peculiar animal. His short,
light, rapid step, point to the great muscles which
give him motion. His prominent, clear, eager eyes,
set wide apart, testify to his courage and docility-
while his clean, light head, carried high, with short,
pointed, sensitive ears, gives grace and elegance to
every motion.
A slight description has been given of some of the
most prominent breeds of horses, that they may readily
be compared with the Morgan.
The style, it is hoped, will be found plain and clear.
To the many gentlemen who have aided us in col-
lecting the materials for our work, we return our sin-
cere thanks. Their hearty encouragement has cheered
V
VI PREFACE.
us in the prosecution of our work, and rnud l of any
interest that may attach to it, is due to their assistance.
Should occasion offer, we trust they wvill aflIrd us an
opportunity to reciprocate their favors.
If the publication of this volumc shoultl prove in-
strumental in awakening increased interest in the
breeding of these noble animals, and in leading farm-
ers and Lreeders to the best sources for obtaining
this stock, or in enabling them to detect the many spu-
rious animals advertised throughout the country as
genuine Morgans, the author will feel satisfied that he
has not labored in vain.
D. C. LINSLEY.
MIDDLEBUnY, VT., September 10, 1856.
CONTENTS.
PREFACE, 3
CONTENTS, - - 7
CHAPTER L.
The Most Esteemed Races of Horses, and the Kinds of S'rviee
to which they are Adapted,- 9
CHAPTER II.
Contrast Between the Kinds of Service Required of I'Torses For-
nierly, and at the Present Day, -29
CHAPTER ITI.
Description of the Kind of Horses mIost sougit for in the Prin-
cipal Markets of the Country,-- 44
CHAPTER TV'.
Peculiar Adaptation of the Morgan Horse to thie Roa mdd (Glhoeral
Use, -63
CHAPTER V.
Origin of the Morgan Horse,-92
CHAPTER VI.
Memoir Fand Description of the Tnistiri 7orcan. - - - - 131
CHAPTER VII.
History and Description of the Stallions Sired by the Justin
M orgn-- - 141
(T)
i- ) N1TENM 1',.
CHAPTER VIII.
General Deseription of the different Families and their Distin-
guishing Characteristics, -165
CHAPTER IX.
Present Condition of this Stock in Vermont, - - - - 175
CHAPTER X.
Performances of Morgan Horses; the Demand for them, and
their Present Value as indicated by Sales, - - - -1
C hIAPTER XI.
Hints as to the Best Methods for Improving and Perpetuating the
Breed, -200
CHAPTER XII.
Hints in Relation to Breaking and Driring. - - - - 219
CHAP]'ER XIII.
The Proper Manner of Fceding and Driving upon the Road, 238
CHIAPIER XIV.
1-Tints to Purchasers of Morgan or other Horses, - - - 250
CH.AP-TER XV.
Pvuligrees and Description of Stallions, -260
A rPinix, -321
Villl
[EXTRACT.]
TO THE VERMONT STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The Committee of Awards, to whom was referred the subject of
Essays, respectfully report, that they have attended carefully to the
duties of their appointment, and DO AWARD THE FIRSr PREMIUM TO
MR. D. C. LINSLEY, of Middlebury, for his elaborate Essay on the
Morgan Horse.
In consequence of the peculiar merits of this treatise, the
Committee feel authorized to commend it to the particular notice
of the Society. as one eminently adapted to the wants of the peo-
ple of this State, and as supplying a desideratum long felt, both in
regard to the true history of the Morgan Horse, and in respect to
the best methods of its perpetuation. We believe Mr. Linsley has
collected all the facts pertaining to his subject which intelligent re-
search and thorough devotion can furnish; and that he has em-
bodied them in an attractive form and with a just discrimination.
The information relating to the history of the Breed is important,
and, we think, can be found in no work yet published; the style in
which it is communicated is clear, spirited, and in perfect keeping
with the subject discussed.
When it is considered that the sources of information in regard
to the origin and history of the Morgan Horse, now obscure at the
best, are rapidly diminishing, and that Mr. Linsley has rescued so
much, which in a short time would have been beyond the reach of
the compiler, it must be admitted he has rendered a valuable service
to the farmers of the State, and one which, in the judgment of the
Committee, the Society ought not to leave unrecognized.
January 15, 1856.
J. A. BECKWITH,
EDWARD SEYMOUR,
B. B. CR ASE, ConrniUu
F. E. WOODBrIDGE,
JOHN GREGORY.
r'i
D. C. L-INSLET, EsQ. : ST. JOHNSBURY, VT.. July 7, 1856.
DEAR SiB,-Your favor of the 3d inst. is at hand, as also the
accompanying drawing of the old Justin Morgan. I knew the
horse we!l, and owned him about seven years while in the prime of
his life. The drawing is a very faithful representation of him as
he appeared while I owned him, and I can suggest scarcely any
alteration; perhaps none that would make it a more faithful copy
of the original.
Yours respectfully,
DAVID GOSS.
DERBY LINE, VT., July 21 1856.
D. C. LiNSiLEY, Esq. :-Your favor of the 18th inst., containinz a
drawing of the old Justin Morgan, has this day come to band,
and I hasten to reply. In early life it was my privilege 10 know
the original Morgan Horse perfectly well, and for some time to see
him almost daily at the time of his greatest popularity, and I have
no hesitation in saying. that the drawing exhibited, in my judgment,
is remarkably correct, anl grive-i a rery ancurate dleinpation of the
horse as he appeared in lifl.
I remain, Dear Sir. vyo!rs triilv and
Verv respectfully,
SOLO. STEEI.E.
CLAREMONT, N. 11., JUly, 1856.
D. C. LIN-SLEY, ESQ.:
DEAR SIR,-I received a line from you yesterday, and with it a
drawing of the old Justin -Morgan or Goss horse. As I have be-
fore told you, I know the horse well, having seen him often, and
kept him one year while Joel Goss ownred him. Ile was far the
best lhor-se I ever had anything to do with, and my recollection of
him is perfcctly clear and distinct.
The drawing you send is a very excellent likeness of him, and I
am pleased to see an effort making, even at this late lay, to preserve
some record of him.
Yours Respectfully,
DAN. BAI)WJN.
CHAPTER I.
THE MOST ESTEEMED RACES OF HORSES, AND THE KINDS OF
SERVICE TO WHICH THEY ARE ADAPTED.
THE history of the horse, intimately interwoven as
it is with that of man, can hardly fail to interest the
most careless student. From the earliest ages he has
been man's faithful ally and willing slave. In war, he
not only moves all the machinery of the field and
camp, but shares with his rider all the fatigue and
danger of battle. In peace, how various and invalu-
able are his services. Every branch of industry owes
much to his patient toil; he plouglhs the soil, sows the
seed, reaps the harvest, and transports it to the distant
market. From year to year, and age to age, he has
toiled unceasingly for his master, in the cart, the
mill, the freight-wagon, or the mail-coach. For many
centuriks prior to the construction of canals, almost the
entire inland commerce of the world was carried on
by means of the horse.
Not only has he thus relieved our wants and minis-
tered to our comfort, but he shares with us in our
pleasures and amusements; he not only works steadily
and patiently in the loaded wagon, but in the race
becomes as much excited as his master, and appears to
rejoice in the pleasures of the chase. In gracefulness
of motion, elegance of form, and dignity of carriage,
he is superior to every other quadruped; and bv those
1 9)
1THE MORGAN HORSE.
nations to whom he is known he is almost universally
considered the most useful and manageable of all
our domestic animals IHence he has been admired,
cherished and loved, equally by the inost enlightened
and most barbarous races of men. More time, money
.,nd intellect have been used in the attempt to improve
owl perpetuate the distinguishing characteristics of the
best breeds, than has been expended upon arty, perhaps
it may be safely said aill, other animnals. His servant in the
leAd, his companion in the chase, and his willing slave
in trials of spced, he becomes the pride, the joy and
boast of his master. Boundless wealth is often scattered
for pleasures and amusements, in which the flying foot
of the horse is the chief attraction. Attached to his
master and obedient to his will, he bears him without
question or murmur, through sunshine and storm, over
mountains and through rivers; carries him with un-
faltering nerves into the thickest of the battle, and if
repulsed, his speed and endurance bid defiance to pur-
suit.
hence no animal has received the same care and
attention in breeding and training as the horse.
Though the horse was domesticated in the time of
Moses, and is frequently mentioned in history, yet we
know little of his condition, or the manner in which
he was trained, until about four hundred years before
Christ. Xcnophon was the first writer who left us any
r-ecord of what were then considered the best points of
a good horse; or described, critic lly and in detail, the
i roper mnethod of breaking and training him. Consid-
ering-- that nearly twenty-three hundred years have
elapsed since this essay an written, it must certaini v
I O
' TIE MOST ESTEEMED BREEDS.
be deemed surprising that it should still be admitted
as a standard authority upon the subjects of which it
treats.
Among the ancients the horse was little used, except
in ws'ar and the chase. For these uses the wild horses
of the East are perhaps as well adapted as any other
breed now in existence. The wild horse being so well
suited to the wants of the ancients, no attempt would
be made to improve him or alter his general conforma-
tion by careful breeding. Had other wants been felt,
and efforts made to alter his general form, it could
hardly have been productive of any improvement or
important change; for, to be successful, the breeding
must not only be continued for several generations,
but must be undertaken by a people fixed in their
habits, devoted to agriculture, and perfectly conversant
with the g eat physical laws that must be carefully ob-
served in crossing different races of animals, in order
to insure success. The ancients had not these advan-
tages, and we think it may safely be inferred, that up
to the commencement of the Christian era, the main
characteristics of the horse had undergone little change,
except such as had been produced by the climates in
which he lived, the nature of the soil, and the pastures
upon which he fed.
In the central and northern parts of Asia, and the
northern part of Europe, where the climate is.cold and
the vegetation scanty, the wild horses were then, and
are still, small, but active and hardy, with bodies
closely knit, and hair thick and long. They are capa-
ble of performing the longest marches without exhibit-
ing fatigue, are fleet, sure-footed, and wvell adapted
11
THE MORGAN HORSE.
for service in the cold and mountainous countries in
which they are found.
The earliest records we have of the horse, trace him
to Egypt, whence he gradually found his way to
the various Egyptian colonies. Among the African
varieties, the Barb is remarkable for his fine and graceful
action; and is found chiefly in Morocco and Fez. He
is lower than the Arabian, seldom exceeding fourteen
hands. The shoulders are flat, the chest deep, the
joints inclined to be a little long, and the head very
fine. He is superior to the Arab in form, but has not
his speed and endurance, nor his spirit and "counte-
nance." The Barb has chiefly contributed to the excel-
lence of the Spanish horse. The Godolphin Arabian wa4
a Barb, and from hirn has descended some of the best
racing stock of England.
The Arabian horse deservedly occupies the very
highest rank. So late as the seventh century, the
Arabs had very few horses, and those of a very in-
ferior quality. The horses that they obtained from
Cappadocia and other neighboring countries were
preserved with so much care, and so uniformly pro-
pagated from the finest animals, that in the thirteenth
century they had obtained great celebrity. The
Arabs divide their horses into three classes: the
Auechi, or inferior breed, which are little valued, and
are found wild in some parts of the desert; the Kadbi-
cU, or mixed breed; and the Kochlani, or thorough-
bred. M.,any of the latter lhave well-attested pedigrees
extending more than four hundred years, and the
Arab confidently asserts that the pedigree of his
favorite mare can be traced directly to the stud
12
THE MOST ESTEEMED BREEDS.1
of Solomon. More care is taken to preserve the
pedigree of their horses, than the genealogies of their
chiefs: these pedigrees arc always reckoned from the
dams. The Arabian horsc- might not always be
acknowledged to possess a perfect form, but no one
can fail to admire his inimitable head. The broad,
square forehead, the short, lean, firm, and delicate
muzzle, the bright, prominent, and intelligent eye, the
small, sprightly, and almost transparent ears, are uni-
vers-ally acknowledged to be unrivalled in any other
breed. The fineness of his legs, and the oblique posi-
tion of his pasterns, may be supposed to lessen his
strength; but the logs, although small, are flat and
wiry, and they are not required to carry heavy
weights. The muscles of the thigh and fore-arm are
st-ikingly developed, and assure us of his ability to
p'rform many of the feats of strength and endurance
related of him; but in reading of his really marvellous
marches, ve must remember that there are no watches
to note accurately the timne, nor nile-stones to mark
correctly the distances on the paths of the desert, and
we must make some allowance for the proneness of the
Bedouin to exaggeration. The Arabian horse is as
celebrated for his docility as for his speed and courage.
He rarely exceeds fourteen hands in height, his body
is light, his hips and loins excellent, and his shoulders
extremely beautiful. It is to the Arabian that the
English are chiefly indebted for their unrivalled breed
of horses for the turf and the chase.
The Dongola horses, bred in the kingdom of Dongola,
and the country lying between Egypt and Abyssinia,
are somewhat celebrated for their showy appearance
13
TH1TlE MORGAN HORSE.
They are full sixteen hands high, with very short
bodies, long necks, fine crests, and sharp, high withers;
l)ut the breast is too narrow, the quarters and flanks
flat and thin, with carped or roached backs. Some
of these horses were imported into England about
1825, but were little valued.
There are several breeds of horses in India, of which
the Toorky is the best, and is descended from the Per-
s ian.
The Chinese horse is very inferior, and unworthy of
notice.
The Persian horse deservedly ranks next to the
Arabian; his head is almost equally fine, his hip and
croup better; he is more stoutly built, is equal in
speed, but less enduring. Their food consists of bar-
ley and chopped straw, hay being unknown. The
Persian horses were very celebrated long before the
Arabian was known. They rarely exceed fourteen
and a half hands high, are full of courage, and very
tractable and docile.
Turkistan has long been celebrated for producing a
pure and valuable breed of horses, called Toorkormans.
They are large, standing from fifteen to sixteen hands
high; are swift and remarkably enduring. They are
said to be preferable even to the pure Persian for
severe service. They are too small in the barrel, too
long in the legs, and their heads are large and clumsy;
yet they are highly esteemed.
The Flemishl and Dutch horses are very large,
strongly and syminetically formed, with fine crests and
plenty of bone and muscle, but are a little dull in their
paces, and mostly used for purposes of draft. It is
1-1
THE MOST E-STEE'MED BREEDS.
principally from these that the celebrated draft horses
of England are descended.
France contains several breeds of horses, some of
which, particularly the Norman, are very valuable.
The government have for some years paid a good deal
of attention to the improvement of horses, but they
are still inferior to the English in beauty and speed.
The best French horses are raised in Limousin and
Normandy. Those from the latter province are of
large size, with plenty of bone and muscle, large limbs,
heavy quarters, sloping croup, deep chest and deep
body, but a little flat-ribbed. They are very tractable,
and possessed of very great endurance, and can carry
great weight at the rate of six to seven miles per hour.
Spain has long been celebrated for her breed of
horses, but it is thought that they are less valuable
now than formerly, having suffered under the general
decline of the Spanish government. The Andalusian
horse, so called from that province of Spain in which
he was chiefly bred, still retains a resemblance to the
Barb, to which he was undoubtedly indebted for his
most valuable qualities. Th Barb wvas brought into
Spain during the first part of the eighth century.
England owes mnuch of the present excellence of her
horse to this breed. About the year 1060, Williamt
of Normandy brought a large number of horses from
Spain for cavalry service, and probably these were
mostly from the provinces of Andalusia and Asturias.
for, owing to the richness of the pastures, horses were
much more numerous in these provinces than in any
other parts of Spain.
Italian horses were formerly thought very valuable,
15
JO THE MORGAN HORSE.
but are now less esteemed. The Neapolitan horses are
tolerably well shaped, and from their size and high
style of action are in some demand for carriage horses.
The Turkish horses are principally descended from
the Arab, crossed with the Persian, the Tartar, and some
other breeds. Compared with the Arabian, the head is
larger, the limbs heavier, the bod) longer, the shoulder
not so fine, and the hips higher. They are, if possible,
more gentle and tractable than the Arabian. The
Turkish horse has contributed much to the blood of the
present English race-horse.
The German horses are generally large, heavy, and
slow. The Hungarian is, however, of medium size,
and possessed of a good deal of speed and endurance.
Many excellent cavalry horses are bred in Holstein.
They are generally bay, of good size, with small, fine
heads, bold, lively eyes, have good action, and are
strong and active.
The Swedish horses are between thirteen and four-
teen hands high, and are remarkable for their speed
and endurance.
The horses of Finland are yet smaller, not exceeding
twelve hands in height; they are said to be beautiful.
and very fleet.
In Iceland, though the country is mountainous, and
the climate cold and inhospitable, there are yet very
numerous troops of wild horses. They are very small,
strong, and swift.
The horses of that part of Tartary comprehending
the great plains of Central Asia, and a considerable part
of European Russia, are almost in a wild state; they
are small and badly made, but are very hardy and en-
1G
THE MOST ESTEEMED BREEDS.
during. They are not very docile or tractable. Tar
tar horses form a large portion of the Persian cavalry,
being preferred on account of their great hardiness and
endurance.
All the horses we have enumerated, with the ex-
ception of the German, Italian, French and Flemish,
are peculiarly adapted to use under the saddle, carry-
ing light weight; and with few exceptions they are
seldom put to any other service.
The Russians have some excellent horses. The
most celebrated of their breeds is the Orloff Trotter,
of large size and fine action. Great pains are taken in
breaking and training them, to prevent their moving
in any other gait than a walk or trot, consequently
some of them are fast trotters.
The English horse, on account of its just celebrity,
and as the source from whicth the best of our own have
been (lerived, demands a more careful notice.
Horses were excecdingly numerous in Britain at
the time of its conquest by Julius Cresar, and they
were so valuable, that CUesar carried many of them to
Rome. The Romans having established themselves in
Britain, kept a large force of cavalry there, and these
horses, gathered from all parts of the Roman Empire,
mixed with the native breed. Whether this cross re.
sulted in any improvement cannot now be ascertained.
The next importation of which we have any account
was early in the tenth century. Hugh Capet, of
France, mnade Althelstane a present of several German
a running 7arses." About the middle of the eleventh
century, with William the Conqueror came a marked
improvemenet in the English horse. His followers,
17
THE MORGAN HORSE.
coming from a country far in advance of England in
the science of agriculture, were of great service to the
English in improving their horses, by introducing the
Spanish horse. The first recorded importation of an
Arabian horse took place in 1121-Alexander I., of
Scotland, having presented the church of St. Andrew
with an Arabian horse, " decked in Turkish armor, and
costly trinkets." About the close of the twelfth or be-
ginning of the thirteenth century, King John imported
one hundred stallions from Flanders, and thus laid the
foundation of the draft horse, which has since become
so celebrated. In the beginning of the fourteenth cen-
tury, Edward II. imported thirty war horses, and
twelve draft horses. Edward III. purchased fifty
Spanish horses, which cost him about seven hundred
dollars each.
The English had used horses from Turkey and Bar-
bary, to improve the native stock, but up to the time
of James I. with but little success.
About 1610, James purchased a celebrated Arabian
horse of a merchant named Markham, for which he paid
five hundred pounds. After this, James purchased of
Mr. Place, a beautiful horse called the White Turk,
Not long after this, the first Duke of Buckingham im-
ported the lelmslyTurk. These two animals produced
a great change in the character of the English horses.
Charles I. eagerly pursued the favorite sport of the
English gentleman, and established races at Hyde
Park and Newmarket. Cromwell was himself anxious
to continue the improvement of the horse, and kept a
stud of race-horses; but racing was not countenanced
by his party, and the race courses were closed.
18
THE MOST ESTEEMED BREEDS.
At the Restoration in 1660, a new impulse was given
to the cultivation of the horse. Race courses were
opened, and royal plates were now given at the prin-
cipal ones. Charles sent his Master of the Horse to
the Levant, to purchase both mares and stallions.
These were principally Barbs and Turks. His nobles
followed his example, and from that time until the
eighteenth century almost every valuable variety of
Eastern blood was from time to time engrafted on the
old stock. In 1703, Mr. Darley imported the Arabian
that has since borne his name, being then four years
old. About twenty-five years later, a Mr. Coke brought
the Godolphin Arabian from France to England, and
presented him to Mr. Williams, Master of St. James'
Coffee House, who presented him to the Earl of Godol-
phin. It is to these importations chiefly that is due
the high degree of perfection which the English race-
horse has attained.
The English Hunter is not as distinct a breed of
horses as has often been supposed. Every variety of
blood has been resorted to, to produce the horse best
suited to the work required of him, and he is now
usually three-quarters thorough-bred. Mr. Skinner
says the Hunter is but a combination of the racehorse
or thorough-bred, with one of less blood. Formerly,
hunters were bred from coach mares, or "Machiners"
as they are called; but now the hunter is lighter, and
more nearly thorough-bred. Many of the hunters of
fifty years ago were bred by crossing the Cleveland
Bay with the race-horse; and resembled the best H1aek-
neys of the present day.
Of the Hackney, a standard English work says: " The
19
THE MORGAN HORSE.
Hackney should be a hunter in miniature, with these
exceptions: his height should rarely exceed fifteen
hands and an inch. He will be sufficiently strong,
and mnore pleasant for general work, below that stand-
ard. Ile should be of more compact form than the
Hunter-more bulk according to his height, for he has
not merelv to stand an occasional though severe burst,
but a great deal of every-day work."
The English coach horse was formerly bred from
the Suffolk, and the Cleveland Bays (breeds now
nearly extinct) by crossing the mares with horses pos-
sessina more or less racing blood, and was, in fact, but
a large, heavy Hunter or Hackney.
The Cleveland Bays, the Clydesdale, the Northamp-
toushire, the Suffolk Punch, and the heavy Black, or
Lincolnshire horse, are but different varieties of the
English draft horse, and are but little used for any
other purpose.
The coach horse, and the draft horse, have diminished
very rapidly of late years, having given way to a lighter,
and faster animal.
The foregoing glance at the most important races of
horses will, it is hoped, enable the reader to form a
tolerably correct idea of the main sources from which
our horses are derived.
The wild horse is found in great numbers in Tartary,
in some parts of South America, and a few in the
south-western territories of the United States. In none
of these can we recognize an original race. The horses
of the Ukraine, and those of South America, are
equally the descendants'of those which have escaped the
slavery of man. The former are thought to be de-
20
THE MOST ESTEEMED BREEDS.
scended from horses that were employed in the siege
of Azoff, in 1657; but were turned loose for want of
forage. The latter are descended from animals im-
ported by the Spaniards, and they still retain, almost
unimpaired, the size and form of the stock from which
they sprung. They are not remarkable for their speed
at short distances, but possess great endurance; and
many instances are recorded of the natives pushing
them over one hundred miles without drawing rein.
In our own country we have several breeds of horses.
The Conestoga horse is found chiefly in the Middle
States, but is not as often met with now, as formerly.
He is descended from early importations from Flanders
and Denmark; he is inclined to be too long in the leg,
too light in the barrel, and too dull in his paces. His
quarters and shoulders are generally good; and