Horses 2

Not only was the Galloway able to carry all this kit, but it could carry it and its rider an astonishing distance.

A Dr. Anderson wrote, in the 18th Century: "There was once a breed of small elegant horses in Scotland, similar to those of Iceland and Sweden, and which were known by the name of Galloways; the best of which sometimes reached the height of fourteen hands and a half. One of this description I possessed, it having been bought for my use when a boy. In point of elegance of shape it was a perfect picture, and in disposition was gentle and compliant. It moved almost with a wish, and never tired. I rode this little creature for twenty-five years, and twice in that time I rode a hundred and fifty miles at a stretch, without stopping, except to bait [feed/water] and that not for above an hour at a time. It came in at the last stage with as much ease and alacrity as it travelled the first. I could have undertaken to have performed on this beast, when it was in its prime, sixty miles a day for a twelvemonth running, without any extra-ordinary exertion."

In 1701, Thomas Singleton, a carrier using Galloways as packhorses, took a wager of 100 guineas that he could ride 1000 miles in 1000 hours. He rode for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It took him nearly 7 weeks on the racecourse at Carlisle. He rode one of the partnership's pack horses, a 13-2 stallion named Black Samson.

A similar though less gruelling feat was performed in 1754 by a Mr Corker when he rode a Galloway 100 miles a day for 3 consecutive days over the Newmarket race course.

This is Lally, a 14.2 hands Dale/Arab cross. The Dale and Fell breeds were one until the early years of the 20th Century
The Arab blood in Lally gives her more fire than a pure bred Fell/Dale , it also gives her an amazing turn of speed. In Reiving days ahe would have been highly sought after as racing was the favourite sport of the time. A winning horse could set its owner up for life in payment of stud fees.

Not only reivers enjoyed racing. It gets its nickname “The sport of kings” from the fact that Elizabeth I, James I and VI and Charles II were fanatical racehorse owners. Because of its speed the Galloway was a favourite mount for owners. In the time of Charles II Galloways were interbred with Arab and Barbary horses thus giving rise to the modern racing thoroughbred. Borderers took Galloways with them to the new colonies in America, where they interbred them. Two modern day American breeds, the Quarter Horse and the Saddlebreed owe their bloodlines to the Galloway. In fact the Quarter Horse gets its name from the fact that it is so fast over the first quarter mile - a trait directly inherited from the Galloway.