Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-12-15
Farm and Faresaae.
HORSE HISTORY.


Horses have figured in history from the
earliest times. In Holy Writ we find
them prominent in connection with chari-
OTIS and warfare, aud in the mythology of
the Egyptians, Creek and Romans they are
associated with deeds of strength and no
BILE strife. The sculptures of Nineveh and
Thebes bear clearly defined characters of
them, and in all these records of the past
we arc assured that the horse was not re-
garded rs beast of burden, but rather
ranked among the champions Of nations.
AS such the poets sang of him, and Scrip
ture only records one or two instances
where he was subjected to servile service.
The cavalry of the Assyrians was regard
ed as the most formidable branch OF their
service. Solomon had, in his own stalls,
forty thousand chariot horses, and his traf-
flc in fine stock of this kind was extensive,
he purchasing from the Egyptians and SELL
ing largely to the Hittites and kings of Syr-
ia. The value of fine horses at that period
averaged zone hundred and fifty shekels of
silver EACH" or about one hundred dollars.
This was held as price Of no inconsidera-
BILE proportions, which commanded the
best material to be had in the form of high
bred and spirited animals.
1t is believed that horses were introduced
into Egypt by the shepherd kings, about
tho time of Abraham. The most ancient
Egyptian sculptures bear no trace of them.
The Greeks were passionate admirers of
fine and swift horses, and racing was a IA
vorite pastille with them. Homer says of
Al. 4 4. a lie
he was renowned for horse aud chariot rae
ing. Thes. ally, his native couatry, was
famed for wealth, civilization and horse
manship, long before Homer's time. The
people OF Ihessaly were probably The first,
among the Greeks at least, who acquired
any skill as equestrians, and adapted the
horse to the purposes OF warfare. Whence
arose the liable that Thessaly was originally
inhabited by centaurs.
The Olympic games of the Greeks, in
which feats in horsemanship and chariot
racing formed the leading attraction, were
attended by the kings and highest classes
from all parts of Greece and neighboring
countries, and the interest manifested alike
by all, equalled any popular sensation Of
OtA phy' AHNt'ut thp 6auito Vi Wy
formed a period in Greek history upon
which their whole chronology rested, and
from which period all other leading events
were dated.
The horse occurs on some standards and
coins of past periods as well as at the pres
eut day. On the coins of the Hindoos, OF
Bactria and Ceylon, and those of the SAX
kings of Luvashtra, he is conspicuous. Os-
sian describes the standard of the kings
and chiefs of clans, in early English times,
when the kings standard bore the figure OF
awhile horse.
England owes to Arabia the possession Of
erimproved aud now unrivaled breed oil
horses, adaptedifor the turf field and road
The Arabian horses arc divided into two
great branches the Kadischi, whose de.
scent is unknown, and the Kochlain, Of
whom written genealogy has been kept
for two thousand years. The latter class
are held exclusively as riding horses, anc
are valued at high rates. They are said t
have originated from King Solomon'i
studs, and their powers of endurance ar,
marvellous, being able to encounter thu
most trying fatigues, and to endure the SO
verest privations of food. They are ais,
spoken of as exhibiting uncommon cour
noe in the face of the eremv in hattie an,
tho docroo of ,n,olligonco tho,, ,nan,nost -,
such occasions Is truly striking. Often
when the rider has fallen in battle. the no
bio steed has carefully watched beside hin
until assistance has arrived. freauentl
neiqhing to attract attention to the spot.
mi 1t, - L..