Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-05-18
The Arab Horse.

Layard. the explorer of NiDevah, whois as fa=
milar with Arabs as he is with antiquities gives,
in his late work on Assyria, some curious details
resnectipo the true horse Of the DESERT. Contrary
70 the popuIar notion the real Arablaa IS celebra-
tod Iess far unrivalled swiftness than for eXraor-
dinary powers of endurance. Its usual PAGES are
hut two. a quick walk, often averaging four OF
fye miles an hour. and half running canter, Tor
only when pursued does Bedouin put his mare
to full speed., It's the distance they will travel
Fin emergency. the weight they will carry, and
the comparative trife of food they require, which
render the Arabian horses so valuable. Layard
saws that he knew of a celebrated mare, which had
carried two men in chain armor beyond the reach
of some Aneyza pursuers. This mare rarely had
more than twelve handfillls Of barley in twenty
four hours, except during the spring, when the
pastures were green; and it is only the mares Of
wealthy Bedouins that can get even this allow
ance. The consequence is, that except IN the
sprinq. the Arab horse is lean and unslghty.E
They are never placed under cover during sum
mer. nor protected from the biting winds OF the
desert in winter. The saddles rarely taken from
their backs. Cleaning and grooming are sIrah-
gers to them. They sometimes reach hlleen
hands in height, and never fall below fourteen.-
In disposition they are as doche as lambs, requr-
ino no guide but halter; yet IN the fllgnt' or
pursuit. their nostris become blood-red, their
ewes qlitter with fire, the neck is arched, and the
name and tail are raised and spread out 10 the
wind the whole animal becomes transformed.
The vast plains of Mesopotamia furnish the best
breeds and these breeds. are divided into flve
races. of which the original stock was the Kohey-
Ieph. The most famous belong either to the
S6ammer, or to the Aneyza tribes. Their pedl-
urees are kept scrupulously, and their value is SO
Sreat. that a thorough bred mareis generally own
ed by ten, or even more persons. IL Is nol oHeh
that real Arabian can be purchased. Inc rea-
son is that, on account of its fleetness and power
of endurance, it is nvaluableto the Bedouln, who,
once on its back, can defy any pursuer except
Sbammar or Aneyza with swifter or stronger
mare than his own An American racer, or even
an English hunter, would break down; in those
natbless deserts, almost before an Arabian became
warmed up to its work. Where thorough bred
mares have been sold, they have brought as high
ne siy thousand dollars but these it is understood,
are not the best of the race. The Arab who sells
his mare. can do nothing with his gold, and can
NOT even keep it, for the next Bedouin OF hostile
tribe who comes across his path, and who has re-
tanned his mare, will take it from him, and DEFY
pursuit. Layard thinks that no Arabian OF the
hest blood has ever been seen in England. II this
is so, we can scarcely suppose that any kave come
to America, but must believe the so-caiied Arabl-
ans. given to our Government at various times, to
he Of inferior breeds. Rarely. indeed, are the
thorough breds found beyond the desert. ltwlll
be subject of regret, to those who admire hne
horses. to learn that the Arabian is considered to
be degenerating, the consequence of the subluga-
ton Of Arabia, and the decline OF the Bedouln
tribes. Philadelphia Bulletin