flesh used for food. Later, however, the creature was tamed and used for driving to chariots and then for riding.

Wild horses are found, to-day, in Tartary. In the western part of our own country we still have herds of the mustang pony, but it is claimed that these have come from horses brought over to this country by the Spaniards years ago. In the rough hills of the Shetland Islands, north of Scotland, we can still find Shetland ponies running wild.

How could we plow our soil, haul our crops to market, and enjoy riding and driving, if it were not for the horse?

Do you love the horse? I think that every boy and girl ought to love the horse for what he has done for us, and for what he is still doing. But every one should own a good horse in order to know how really noble the animal is, and how, through his long and close association with man, he has come

History is full of

to be his sympathetic friend. incidents where horses have displayed almost human intelligence, and where they have shown a loyalty to the ones they loved that is worthy of imitation.

Be patient, kind, and gentle to your horse; feed and care for him well, and he will gladly give you his best service in turn. I believe that there is

II

Breeds of Horses

For many years man has used his knowledge and skill in breeding special kinds of horses for special kinds of work.

active, but are not

Horses raised for riding and driving are bred for rapid motion, and not for heavy pulling. Coach or carriage horses are also so light and active as those driving. The draft horse, an especial type, is bred for pulling heavy loads, and is large and stocky.

raised for riding and

One of the most interesting and beautiful types of horse is the Arabian-so called from the fact that the breed originated in Arabia, a country lying east of the Red Sea. Horses of this type, however, have also been found in northern Africa, Persia, and Turkey. The exact origin of the Arabian horse is not fully known. We find that Arabian horses were brought to England for the purpose of improving the English stock, three or four hundred years ago, and that down to the present time it has been possible to trace the influence of this famous breed of horses through all of the improved strains.

In his native home, the Arabian horse was bred in very early times to carry heavy loads and to travel long distances. This accounts for his being well developed and well muscled. His body is short, and he is usually fourteen to fourteen and one half hands high. His head is held high and his ears are small. In color, he may be either white, bay, or chestnut.

Most English horses, up to the beginning of the

reign of James the First, in 1603, were bred for pulling heavy drafts or for carrying great burdens. About this time, however, people became interested in race horses. With the decline of the practices of chivalry, the tournament lost in popularity as a public amusement, and men began to search for some other form of out of door sport in which men and horses could take part together. Racing came into favor, and the race course supplanted, in a way, the lists of the tourney. This caused a demand for fast horses, and led man to begin the breeding of certain horses especially for speed. As a result we now have the "Thoroughbred."

There were three famous horses brought into England that had great influence in founding the Thoroughbred strain. These horses were "Byerly Turk," imported into England in 1689; "Darley Arabian," imported in 1706; and "Godolphin Barb," imported in 1724. The Thoroughbred horse was brought to America early in the eighteenth century.

The breed called "Thoroughbred" is descended from these horses and from the heavier English stock.

The Thoroughbred horse is rather lean, and has a small, intelligent head. The eyes are prominent, and the ears of medium size. The neck is long, and the shoulders slope back like those of all fast horses.

The chest is narrow but very deep. The height of this horse may be from fourteen and one half to sixteen and one half hands. The color is usually

brown or bay.

As has been said, Thoroughbreds are raised especially for speed. They are the fastest horses in the world. The best record known is a mile in one minute, thirty-five and one half seconds.

The American saddle horse is a special type that has been developed in the Southern part of the United States. He is a beautiful animal, with intelligent, lean head. Every movement about him indicates vigor and activity. This breed averages fifteen or more hands in height and is of various colors.

Years ago, before we had any railroads, people rode horseback a great deal. But all of the horses up to that time had been bred either for pulling heavy loads or for speed. The new necessity called for a new breed of horses.

The people of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and Missouri enjoyed riding horseback, and had a great deal of riding to do on account of the poor roads, so that they began to select for saddle horses those animals which had the easiest and the best gaits. They kept up this habit of selecting the best gaited animals through several generations until we finally have the far-famed American saddle horse. The