ILLUSTRATIONS.
Reading edition
A Cart-Horse of the XVth Century Face p. 16
On Saddle and Pillion 〃 28
Guy, Earl of Warwick, XVIth Century 〃 32
The Darley Arabian 〃 46
Jacob Bates, The Trick Rider 〃 52
Grey Diomed 〃 55
Hunter Sire, Cognac 〃 64
The Hack Hunter 〃 70
The Norfolk Phenomenon 〃 80
This brief history of the Horse in England to the close of the nineteenth century is a compilation which, it is hoped, may prove useful as well as interesting.
So much has been done to improve our breeds of horses since the year 1800, and so many and important have been the changes in our methods of travel, in the use of heavy horses in agriculture, in hunting, racing and steeplechasing, that the latter portion of the book might be amplified indefinitely.
It is not thought necessary to do more than touch briefly upon the more important events which have occurred during Her Majesty’s reign.
The interesting and instructive work by Mr. Huth, which contains the titles of all the books written in all languages relating to the Horse shows that the number published up to the year 1886 exceeds 4,060: and since that date, works on the Horse, embracing veterinary science, breeding, cavalry, coaching, racing, hunting and kindred subjects, have been issued from the publishing houses of Europe at the rate of about two per month. During the ten years 1886-95 upwards of 232 such works were issued, and there has been no perceptible decrease during the last four years.
Under these circumstances an apology for adding to the mass of literature on the Horse seems almost necessary.
Elsenham Hall, Essex, November, 1900.
HORSES PAST AND PRESENT.
First among animals which man has domesticated, or brought under control to do him service, stands the horse. The beauty of his form, his strength, speed and retentive memory, alike commend him to admiration; the place he holds, whether in relation to our military strength, our commercial and agricultural pursuits, or our pleasures, is unique. Whether as servant or companion of man the horse stands alone among animals.
There can be no doubt but that the horse was broken to man’s service at an early period of the world’s history. The art of taming him was first practised by the peoples of Asia and Africa, who earliest attained to a degree of civilisation; but whether he was first ridden or driven is a question which has often been debated with no definite result. The earliest references to the use of horses occur in the Old Testament, where numerous passages make mention of chariots and horsemen in connection with all warlike operations.