Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1830-02-02
THE ARABIAN.
For an engraving of an Arabian Horse see
last Gazette.1

Going further eastward, we arrive at
Arabia. whose horses deservedly occupy
the very highest rank.
A few wild horses are yet seen on some
lofthe deserts Of Arabia. They are hunt.
ed by the Bedouns for their flesh, which
is considered delicacy. fthe animal be
young and also to increase their stock
OF interioar horses, which they often palm
on the merchant as descended from the
sacred breed. They are said to be even
swifter than the domestlcated horse. and
are usually taken by traps hidden in the
sand. Mr.. Bruce, however. doubts
whether any wild horses are now found in
Arabia Deserta.
There are said to be three breeds or
varieties of Arabian horses the Attechi.
or inferiour breed, on which they set little
value, and which are found wild on some
parts of tho desertsg the Kodischi. liter.
ally horses of an unknown race. answer
ing to our hal-bred horses-a mixed
breedS and, the Kochlani, horses whose
genealogy, according to the Arab account,
is known for two thousand years. Many
OF them have written and attested pedi-
grees extending more than four hundred
years, and with true Eastern exaggera-
ton, traced by oral tradition from the
stud OF Solomon. A more careful ac-
count is kept Of these genealogies than
belongs to the most ancient family of the
proudest Arab chief, and very singular
precautions are taken to prevent the pos
sibility Of fraud, so far as the written ped
igree extends.
The Kochlani are principally reared by
the Bedouin Arabs, in the remoter des-
erts. A stallion may be procured with
out much difficulty. although at a great
price. A mare is rarely to be obtained,
except by fraud and excessive bribery.
The Arabs have found out that which the
English breeder should never forget, that
the female is more concerned than the
male in the excellence and value of the
produce; and the genealogies of their
horses are always reckoned from the moth
ers.
The Arabian horse would not be ac-
knowledged by every judge to possess
perfect form his head. however, is inim-
liable. The broadness and squareness
of the forehead. the shortness and fineness
of the muzzle, the prominence and bril-
liancy of the eye, the smallness of the
ears, and the beautiful course of the veins,
will always characterize the head of the
Arabian horse.
His body may be considered as too
light, and his chest as too narrow; bit
behind the arms the barrel generally
swells out. and leaves sufficient room for
the play Of the lungs.
In the formation of the shoulder, next
to that ofthe head, the Arab is superiour
to any other breed. The withers are high,
and the shoulder-bIade inclined backward,
and so nicely adjusted, that in descend
ing hill, the point or edge of the ham.
never ruffles the skin. He may not be
thought sufficiently high; he seldom
stands more than fourteen hands two in
ches.
The fneness of his legs, and the oblique
position of his .pasterns, may be supposed to
lessen his apparent strength; but the leg,
although small, is fiat and wiry anatomlsts
know that the bone has no common density, |
and the starting muscles of the forearm and
the thigh indicate that he is fully capable of
accomplishing many of the feats which are
recorded of him.
The barb alone, excels him in noble and
spirited action sand if there be defects about
him, he is perfect for that for which be was
designed. He presents the true combina-
tions of speed and bottom-strength enough I
to carry more than light weight, and conr-
age that would cause him to die rather than [
to give up.
We may not, perhaps, believe all that is
told of the Arabian. 1t has been remarked, |
that there are, on the deserts which this
horse traverses, no mile stones to mark the !
or watches to calculate the time
and the Bedouin is naturally given to exag-
geration, and, most of all, when relating the
proves of the animal which he loves as
dearly as his children; yet it cannot be de-
MED that, at the introduction OF the Arabian
into the European stables, there was no 9TH
er horse comparable to him.
The Arab horse is as celebrated for his
dociity and good temper as for his speed
and courage. In that delightful book,
{ Bishop Heber's Narrative of Journey |
through the Upper Provinces of India the
following interesting character is given OF
him. "My morning rides are very pleasant
NY horse is nice, quiet, good-tempered
little Arab, who is so fearless, that he goes
without starting close to an elephant, and
so gentle and docile that he eats bread olt
of my hand, and has almost as much attach
ment and coaxing ways as a dog. This
seems the general character of the Arab
horses, to Judge from what | have seen in
this country. 1t is not the fiery, dashing
animal had supposed, but with more ration
atty about him, and more apparent conn
dence in his rider, than the majority OF Eng
lish horses" Il
The kindness with which he is treated
from foal, gives him an affection for his
master, wish to please, a pride in exertinng !
every energy in obedience to his commands,
ord nonSoouautIy nm aDnareUt SapacltV \