Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-02-05
VARIETY.
A Travellers description of the Turco-
man Horses.

man Horses.
"We have heard much Of Turcoman
horses and Turcoman horsemanship--i con-
fess my opinion Of both Is, that they are
alike contemplate. had for my own RI
ding horse called Choorlle. which mad
been bought of the Turka Turcomans BY
the chief Of the tribe, Of Hazarah Demauks,
by whom it was presented TO government.
This horses speed and powers OF endurance
were so famous amongst the Iurcomans,
that every man met had heard OF him,
and the importance of my mission was con-
siderably enhanced by the possession OF TINS
animal; and yet would not give, in India,
400 rupees for him. He has great deal
of Arab blood, yet his head and neck ran
out exactly on prolongarion OF his back
bone, and with his nose stuck out he shut
fes along more like COW than a horse; MS
mouth is dreadful; would not undertake
10 turn him round in much less than an
acre of ground, and he is Of so sluggish
disposition that was Obliged to keep the
whip constantly playing against his side
As for leaping he has not the most remote
idea of it, and don't think it possible he
could get over four-foot ditch without
having a tumbe--so much for his faults
Now for his virtues--he keeps his flesh
well under long marches, eats anything that
comes in his way, is as quiet as lamb,
walks fast, and ambles nearly eight miles
an hour. | timed this horse az race, over
very bad ground indeed, and when he was
not in The least pressed by the other horses;
the distance was one mile, five iurlongs, and
10 yards, measured by a perambulator,
and this distance was done in three minutes
and forfy-fve seconds. | am no Judge of
such matters, but whether this was a good
or bad time, il must be borne in mind that
the ground was covered by small ravines
and loose stones. He is n perfect horse in
the eyes Of the Turcomans, aud whenever
he is taken TO water the people collect 70
look at him; he is dark hay, strongly form
ed about the hind quarters, with long,
high-ridgcd backbone, rather heavy shout
ders, and stands about lourteen-three. His
name, /" Choorlie," was given by the Tur
comans in consequence of large scar which
he has over the knee of his near fore-leg;
but in general their celebrated horses take
the name of their owners.
The prlce OF one of these known and
tried horses is about 200 Company's ru-
pees (fi20) though Of course there are
some that are not to be bought at any price.
The Turcoman mode of training is very
different from that followed by our racing
characters. At one year aud half old the
tuition of the infant Childers commences
n child is placed on his back, who walks
him about slowly, at first q very short dis
lance; and when he can mnsticate grain
they give him a little barley or jewarree;
the clothing Is always very warm; great
deal of food is given IN the twenty-four
hours, but very little at any one time, and
bu, little water, but the pace Is never IN
creased beyond walk; and when not taking
exercise he is either in the tent or close to
il, so that he becomes from his earliest days
perfectly domesticated qnd docilc. Az about
three years aud half old, they commence
training him for trial, which is but little
different from his former training; the dis
tances are gradually increased, hut The
pace does not alter for many days. At
length, the poor beast, not being able 10
walk over sufficient, ground in the day, Is
led about nj night, until his flesh is brought
to consistency. ifmelons are procurable,
he gets large quantities OF these IN addition
10 his other food; and az this stage OF the
training he is allowed TO cut as much grain
as he pleases, but never much Mt any one
time, aud he is never allowed much water;
system of sweating is then gone through.
and gradually the pace is increased into his
best gallop, at which he is at last kept for
ten or twelve miles and then he challenges
all the world without having received one
ball or seen drenching horn. Think of
that, We knowing onesm