Irish Hobbies and Scottish Galloways from Great Britain mainly formed the first American breed. Dutch Harddrivers', from the Netherlands, also contributed to establish the prime breed of the New World.
From 1607 and onward these horses were imported to New Amsterdam (Harddrivers), Virginia, New England and Massachusetts.
In 1636 Roger Williams and his followers founded their own Colony in Rhode Island. By selective breeding they developed speed in their horses. The Narragansett Pacer paced the mile under saddle in slightly over two minutes.
By 1690 the Narragansett Pacer was the colony's principal export to the Down South and out West. It was also exported to Canada, The West Indies and Cuba.
The most famous Narragansett Pacer must be Deacon Larkin's mare. In the night of April 18, 1775 British troops were advancing against the Minutemen's stores of aim in Concord. But Paul Revere borrowed Larkin's mount in Charlestown, accomplished his famous ride and the Minutemen were warned in time.
In the 1830 edition of the Edinburgh Encyclopedia the Narragansett Pacer is described as: "Head clean, the neck long... color generally through not always, bright sorrel... very spirited and carry both head and tail high... where the ground requires it, they have a fine, easy single-footed trot". It was a pony-sized horse: the average height was in 1750 1,37 m (13,2 hands). In 1769 it had raised to 1,45 m (14.1 hands).
The Narragansett Pacer type of horse was observed until the late 19th century.
London: Thomas Yoseloff Ltd.
The Narragansett Pacer the First Truly American Breed of Horse,
http://www.imh.org/imh/kyhpl3a.html 2000-12-30
Shelbyville: Shelbyville Publishing Co. Inc.
Cameron J., The Narragansett Pacer,
http://home.flash.net/~walkersw/History/Narragansett.htm
2000-12-30