pirited, docile, and enduring.
It is only in a few plantations that the purity of the race is
preserved, and the animals fostered with due care. The common horse is
higher, leaner, less broad on the chest, and with the crupper thinner
and more depressed. He is, however, not less fiery and capable of
endurance than the horse of pure breed. The most inferior horses are
ill-looking, small, and rough-skinned.

On the coast of Peru the horses are for the most part natural amblers,
and, if they do not amble naturally, they are taught to do so. There are
several varieties of amble peculiar to the Peruvian horse; the most
approved is that called the _paso llano_. It is very rapid, but not
attended by any jolting motion to the rider. A well-trained horse may
safely be ridden by a young child at the _paso llano_; the motion being
so gentle and regular, that the rider may carry a cup of water in his
hand without spilling a drop, at the same time going at the rate of two
leagues an hour. Another variety of ambling is called the _paso
portante_. It consists in the fore and hind foot of one side being
raised simultaneously, and thrust forward. In this movement, the greater
or less speed depends on the degree in which the hind foot is advanced
in comparison with the fore one. It is a rapid, rocking sort of motion,
and for long continuance is much more wearying to the rider than the
common trot, as the body cannot be held upright, but must be kept in a
constant stooping position. The speed of a good ambler in the _paso
portante_ is so great, that he will outstrip another horse at full
gallop. The giraffe, as well as the Peruvian horse, has this peculiar
movement naturally. The _paso companero_ is merely a nominal
modification of the _paso portante_. Many horses have no _paso llano_,
but in its stead a short trot. These have naturally the _paso portante_,
but they are little esteemed for travelling, though they are good
working animals. They are called _cavallos aguelillos_. Trotting horses
cannot be taught the _paso llano_, though they easily acquire the _paso
portante_. These are called _cavallos trabados_.

In Peru a horse is valued less for beauty of form than for the
perfection of his amble. The finest trotters are sold at very low
prices, and are used exclusively as carriage horses. If a horse when
spurred has the habit of flapping his tail, it is considered a serious
fault, and greatly depreciates the value of the animal. This v