The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-05-25
ThesArab Horse.

Layard, the explorer OF Ninevah, who
is as familiar with Arabs as he is with an.
tiquitiess gives, in his late work on Assyria,
some curious details respecting the true
horse Of the desert. Contrary 10 the pop.
ular notion, the real Arabian is celebrated
less for unrivaled swiftness than for extra.
ordinary powers Of endurance. Its usual
PAGES are but two-a quick walk, often
averaging four or FIVE miles an hour, and
a ~half-running canter; for only when pur-
sued does a Bedouin pu, his mare to full
speed. 1t is the distance they will travel
in emergency. the weight they will carry,
and the comparative trile Of food they re.
quire, which render the Arabian horses SO
valuable.
Layard says that he knew Of a celebrated
mare which had carried two men in chain
armor beyond the reach OF some Aneyza
p~ursuers. 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 it is
only the mares of the wealthy Bedouins
that get aver this allowance. The con-
sequence is that, except in the spring. the
Arab horse is lean and unsightly. They
are never placed under cover during sum.
mer, nor protected rom the biting winds
of the desert in winter. The saddle is
rarely taken from their backs. Cleaning
and grooming are strangers to them
They sometimes reach fifteen hands in
hight, sand never full below fourteen. In
disposition they are docie as lambs, re-
qniring no, guide but a halter; yet in the
fright or pursuit their nostrils become blood
red, their eyes glitter with fire. the neck is
arched. and the name and tail are raised
and spread out 10 the wind; the whole AMI
NAL becomes transformed.
The vast plains OF Mesopotamia furnish
the best breeds, and these breeds are d.
vided into five races, Of which the original
stock was the K~oheyleh. The most ia
nous belong either to the Shammer or to
the Aneyza tribes. Their pedigrees are
kept scrupulously, and their value is SO
great that a thoroughbred mare is gener-
ally owned by len or even more persons.
II is not often tina! a real Arabian can be
purchased. The reason is that on account
of its aeetness and power Of endurance il
is Invaluable to the Bedouin, who. once on
its back, can defy any pursaer except q
Shammar or Aneyza with q swiffer OF
stronger mare than his own. An Ameri.
can racer, or evan an English hunter,
would break down inthose painless deserts
almost before an Arabian became warmed
up to its work. Where thoroughbred
mares have been sold they have brough,
as high as six thousand dollars; but these,
il is understood, are not the best of the
race. The Arab who sells his mare car
do nothing with his gold, and can not even
keep ii, for the next Bedouin of a hostile
tribs who comes across his path. and who
has retained his mare, will take it from
him and defy pursuit. Layard thinks tina
no Arabian of the best blood has ever been
seen in England. II this is SO we car
scarcely suppose that any have come tc
America, but must believe the so.called
Arabians given TO our Government, at va,
rioas times. to be of inferior breeds. Rare
ly, indeed. are the thorough-breeds found
beyond the desert. 1t win be a subject o
regret, to those who admire fine horses, &c
learn that the Arabian is considered to bs
degenerating. the consequence of the sub
Iugation of Arabia. and the decline Of the
Bedouin tribs.-Phila. Bulletin.