The Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1852-1853, 1853-06-08
The Arab Horse.


Layard,. the explorer of Ninevah, who
is as familiar with the Arabs as he is with an
tiquaTies, gives. in his late work on Assyria
some curious details respecting the true
horse of the desert. Contrary TO the pop
ular notion, the real Arabian is celebrated
less for unrvaled swiflness that for extra
ordinary powers of endurance. Its usual
PAGES are bu. two--a quick wslk, often
averaging four or five miles an hour, and
a haIf-running caner; ior only when pur-
sued does a Bedoun put his mare TO full
speed. IL is the distance they will travel
in emergency, tie weight they will carry,
aud the comparative tnde of food they re-
quire, which reny,er the Arabian horses so
valuable.
Lqyard says that he knew Of celebrated
mare which had carried two men in chain
armor beyond the reach of some Aneyza
pu.suers This mare had rarely had more
than twelve handfuls OF barley in twenty
four hours, excepting during the spring
when the pastures were green; and 1t is
ouly the mares Of the wealthy Bedouins
that get even this allowance. The conse-
quence is that, excep, inthe spring, the Ar
ab horse is lean and unsightly. They are
never placed under cover during summer,
nor protected from the biting winds OF the
desert in winter. The saddle is rarely ta-
ken from their backs. Cleaning and groom
ny are strangers to them. They sometimes
reach fifteen hands in hiyhs, and never fail
below fourteen. In disposition they are do
cie as lambs, requiring no guide bat a hal
ter; yet in the fright or pursuit their nos
trils become bioodred, their eyes glitter with
fire, the reck is arched, and the name and
tail are raised and spread out to the wind;
The whole animal becomes tranlormed.
The vast plains Of MeslpoLamia furnish
the best breeds, and those breeds are di-
vded into five races, of which the original
stock WAS the Kohcyleh The most famous
belonging either to the Shammers or TO the
Aneyza tribes, Their pedigrees are kept
scrupuIouSly, and their valUe are so great
that thorough bred mare is generally own
ed by ten or even more persons. 1t Is not Oh
ten that il real Arabian can be purchased
The reason is that on account of its tleelneSs
and power of endurance it is invaluable
10 tie Badouin, who, once on its back, can
defy any pursuer except a Shammaror An
eyzl with Swifter or stronger mare than
his own An American racer, or even an
English hunter, would break down in those
painless deserts almost before an Arabian
became warned of his work. Where thor
ough bred mares have been sold they have
brough as high as six thousand dollars; bui
these it is understood, are not the best oI
the race. The arab who sells his mare can
do nothing with his gold, and can not even
keep it, 70. the next Bedouin Of a hostile
uibe who comes across his path, and who
has retained his mare, will take it from him
and defy pursuit. Layard thinks that nc
Arabian Of the best blood has ever beer
seen in England. Ii this is so we can
scarcely suppose that any have came tc
America, but we must believe the so called
Arabians given to our Government, at va
rious times. TO be inferior breeds. Rarely
indeed, rae the thorough breeds fould be
yond the desert. 1t will be sulect of re
gret, to those who admire fine horses to learr
that the Arabian is considered to be de
generating, the consequence Of the subju-
CATION oil Arabia and the decline Of the Be.
donin tribe. PAVa. Bulletin.