Mr. H. de Windt, in his book _From Pekin to Calais_, bears witness to
the wonderful endurance of the small post-horses supplied to travellers
in Siberia. He describes them as very little beasts ranging from 14.2 to
15 hands. "Though rough and ungroomed, they are well fed, as they need
to be, for a rest of only six hours is allowed between stages." The
speed maintained depends upon the condition of the roads; and the number
of horses furnished for each tarantass is regulated by the same factor;
three horses sufficing in good weather and as many as seven being
required when the roads are heavy from rain or snow.