Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-07-28
THE ARAB HORSE.

L.ayard, the explorer Of Nnevah, who is
MS familiar with Arabs as he is with anti
quities, gives, ia his late work on Assyria,
some curious details respecting the true
horse Of the desert. Contrary to the popu-
lar notion, the real Arabian IS celebrated
less for unrvslled swihness then for extraor
binary powers of endurance, Its usual pa
ces are but two--a quick walk, oi,en aver
aging four or FIVE miles an hour. and a hal
running canter; for only when pursued does
Bedouin put his mare TO full speed. II is
the distance they will travel in emergen-
cy, the weight they will carry aud the com
paratlve uide of food they will require,
which render the Arabian horse SO vaua-
BILE.
Layard says that he knew of a celebrate
ed mare which had carried two men in chain
armor beyond the reach OF Aneyza pursu-
ers. This mare had merely twelve hand
ius of barley ia twenty four hours, except
ing during the spring when the pastures
were green; and 1t is only the mares of the
wealthy Bedouins that get even allowance.
The consequence is that except in the
spring, the Arab horse is lean and insight
ly. They are never placed under cover
during summer, nor protected from the Bit
ing winds of the desert IN winter. The sad
die is rarely taken from their backs. Clean
ing and grooming are strangers 10 them. -
They sometimes reach fifteen hands ia
height, aud never fall below fourteen. Ia
disposition they are doclle as lambs, requlr-
ing no guide but halter; yet in the fright
or pursuit their nosrls become blood red,
their eyes glitter with fire, the neck is arch
ed, and the name aud tail are raised and
spread out TO the wind the whole animal
becomes transformed, Their pedlgrees
are kept scrupulously, aud their value Is SO
great that thorough bred mare is general
ly owned by ten or more persons. Ii is not
often that real Arabian can be purchased.
/ The reason is that on account of its fleet
ness aud power of endurance it is inyalua.
Bile TO the Bedouin, who once on its back
can defy any pursuer except Shammar OF
/ Aneyxa with a swiiler or stronger mare
than his. Ap American racer, or even az
I English hunter, would break down in those
I painless deserts almost before an Arabian
became warmed up TO It's work. Where
thorough bred mares have been sold the,
have brought as high as six thousand dol
lars, and these, 1t is understood, are not th'
best Of the race. The Arab who sells BIZ
mare can do nothing with his gold. anC
cannot even keep II, for the next BedoulI
of a hostile tribe who comes across his path
aud who has retained his mare, will take /
from him and defy pursuit. Layard think
that no Arabian OF the best blood has eve
been seen in England If this is SO we cal
scarcely suppose that any have come Il
America, but must believe the 50 calle'
Arabians given to our Government, at yarl
Gus times, To be of inferior breeds. Rare
ly indeed ARE the .horough-breeds found be
yond the desert II will be a subject of &c
greet, to those who admire fine horses, /
learn that the Arabian is considered to b
degenerating, the consequence of the sui
jugaIion of Arabia, and the decline of III
Bedouin tribe.