CHAP. 67.—MARES IMPREGNATED BY THE WIND.
It is well known that in Lusitania, in the vicinity of the town
of Olisipo [Note] and the river Tagus, the mares, by turning their faces
towards the west wind as it blows, become impregnated by its
breezes, [Note] and that the foals which are conceived in this way are remarkable for their extreme fleetness; but they never live beyond
three years. Gallicia and Asturia are also countries of Spain;
they produce a species of horse known to us as thieldones, [Note]
and when smaller, asturcones; [Note] they have a peculiar and not
common pace of their own, which is very easy, and arises from
the two legs of the same side being moved together; [Note] it is by
studying the nature of this step that our horses have been taught
the movement which we call ambling. [Note] Horses have very
nearly the same diseases as men; [Note] besides which, they are
subject to an irregular action of the bladder, as, indeed, is the
case with all beasts of burden. [Note]
