Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-14

Development of the American Horse.
Owing to such variety, and so many
different countries as the originals came
from, In making up the horses Of the
present day in America, it has been i'm
possible to create u single homogeneous
breed, that could, with any propriety,
be called American, writes A. B. Allen,
in the American Agriculturist. We
must, therefore, take them as they are
known under their present names, and
improve each class by itself in the best
manner to adapt them to the purpose for
which they may be required. This can
be done, first, by the use OF judicious Sc
lections from those now in America;
and, second, by taking crosses from
foreign horses which are superior in
some points to our own, which we wish
to improve. BY these methods we
should, in process Of time, come to as
near perfection as is attainable, and in a
cheap and rapid way. Such course
would be attended with a general in
creased advantage to the public, and
add much to the beauty OF the animals,
and, when offered for sale, an increased
price for them would be easily obtaina-
bic without an increased cost OF rearing.
The Spaniards were the first to intro
duce horses into America, which was
done in their earliest settlements.
These were undoubtedly descendants OF
the Barbs, brought over to Spain from
Morocco by the Moors, when making
their cOnquests in that kingdom. They
were cognatep Of the Arabians, and
quite like them in all respects, except
being slightly larger in size and stoutcr
in build. They multiplied rapidly here
in this genial climate, and on the abund-
ant nutritious grasses. Soon exceeding
the requirements OF the settlers, the
surplus animals were turned out to
breed wild on the vast plains, extending
in great length on each side Of the Andes
Mountains. Here they became so nu-
mcrous as to be Of no value beyond
their hides, and were then killed by the
thousands for these, to BIO shipped off
and sent abroad TO be converted into
feather, and for other purposes. This
stock is now well spread over South
and Central America, into Mexico and
Texas, with scattering along the
northwestern coast up to and beyond
California. There, horses vary in size,
from thirtccn-hnnd ponies up to fifteen
hands or more, of Il scrNiccable sort for
all kinds Of work, and especially for
that under the saddle. They show Il
free, easy action, sufficiently fast for all
ordinary purposes, and possessed of
good constitution, hardy and enduring.
The next horses introduced into Amer
icn were by the French, in the com
mcncoment Of their settlement OF Can
ada. These also were much like the
Spanish, though somewhat stronger and
of n little heavier build. The winter
climate there is too cold for horses to
run out wild to breed as i'll South Amer
lea, consequently they have increased
but little beyond tho wants OF the set
tiers. The stock descended from them
have proved extra hardy and sound;
many excel rs trottcrS, and are conse-
,quently good roadsters. The use OF
them is increasing for light work, here
toforc given TO larger horses. II Is
found now that such work can be more
,cheaply done by ponies, and they cost
less, MS they can be reared on short
pastures, where larger horses would
siarve. But the latter OF II good class
were brcd to advantage by the farmers,
and are yet used for the heavier work.
Small promiscuous importations OF
horses occasionally followed the forego-
ing, while the farmers continued their