Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-04-04
THE HORSE.

We continue this week, as promised in
our last, the excellent lecture of Hon. Ia.
dock Pratt, on the Horse. His description
of the different breeds is very interesting.
Read the following extracts.
will now call your attention to different
varieties Of horses in foreign countries, and
in our own.
The Egyptian horse is generally known by
the name of the African barb He exceeds
the Arabian in stature, and is principally
remarkable for the fulness and height of his
shoulders, and the dropping of his launches.
The most remarkable specimens of this tribe
are the celebrated "drinkers of the wind"
They are wiry and heshless, and shaped
something like the greyhound. 1t is related
of one Of these horses, that he once per-
formed a journey of sixty miles, in the hot
test period of burning African day, with
out the riders drawing bride, or allowing
him to relax his speed single instant, until
the journey was completed. The little Afr-
can kingdom of Donkala is celebrated for a
breed of horses of large size, which some
have considered as the handsomest in the
world. Every attempt to introduce them
into any other country has failed, however.
The celebrated Egyptian horses were also
ridden by the prophet Mahomet and his four
companions, OH the night of their memora-
BILE flight from Mecca, in the year 622, and
now known as the Hegira.
The Arabian horses are SMALL only aver.
aging between thirteen and fourteen hands
high, rather inclined to be lean, and in trav-
cling they rise higher from the ground than
other blood horses, and gather more quickly.
They are generally of a dappled gray, or
dark brown color, with a short black tail
and name. They usually run wild, and,
even in that condition, they possess the
greatest mildness and generosity Of disposi-
ton. After they are domesticated, they are
played with by the children, have the most
favored corner of the tent, and occupy Il
deservedly high place in the affections Of
the family. This affection seems to be re.
turned with more than ordinary sagacity,
for it is authenticated that, the master being
in danger, the horse has put forth every power
W lHe uliIIoSi, dHe' 81 otidileo LIS eIuuiaHC
that on reaching place OF safety he has
instantly yielded his life. They are usually
captured by shares, hidden in tue sand, by
which the feet become entangled, and the
terrified animal, falling to the ground, is made
an easy prey. Their amazing speed renders
this the only method by which they can be
taken.
The Persian horses resemble those of
Arabia in general appearance, though some.
what larger. They are esteemed less highly
than the Arabian, though think they have
some points of superiority
The horses Of Tartary are exceedingly
swift, even outstripping the antelope; though
here their resemblance to favorite breeds
ceases entirely. They are large and heavy
headed, very low in the shoulder, awkwardly
made, and very i'll looking. When feeding,
one of their number is placed on an emf
nence as a sentinel, and on the approach Of
danger he starts off, the rest following like
the wind. The tabled flight of Mazeppa,
lashed to the back of wild horse, is sup.
posed to be among the wild herds of Tar.
tary.
In Turkey, horses are held in the highest
esteem, which they well deserve, being Of
the most docile and affectonate disposition.
They are the result OF cross between the
African and Arabian, and are full of fire and
life, with light make, splendid head, and
great powers of endurance. The tail of the
horse is considered an emblem Of dignity in
Turkey, from the fact that Turkish army
once lost it's standard in battle, when the
leader, to inspire the dropping courage of
his men, cut off the tail Of horse, hoisted
it on the end of a spear, and rallied his forces
to victory. AS reward he received militia.
ry promotion, the emblem OF which was a
horses tail. The rank of the owner is
known by the number Of tails he is allowed,
the highest being three, and the officers are
called pachas OF three tails"
The genuine East Indian horse is of small
value, owing to the unsuitable climate which
seems to be highly unlavorable to his im-
provement; and the pure native breed is
small. ugly and i'll made, being equally def
cient in form, spirit and endurance. By
judcious and repeated crossings, and the
utmost care in obtaining health stock, a
species of horse has been introduced into
the country, which will compare favorably
with any other. The greatest and most
continued pains are necessary, however, or
they will soon degenerate.
The European horses will next engage our
attention. One of the most beautiful is the
Spanish, or Andalusian, which originated
from the Barbary horse, the only fault being
that the head is large in proportion to the
body; the name is thick long and graceful,
the ears long, and the eyes very animated.
The Italian horses are very large and finely
shaped; they were once highly esteemed,
but are now principally used for heavy cav.
airy. Danish and Swedish horses are stout
and well built, but slow and inelegant. The
Dutch and German horse is preferred thro'.
out Europe as draught horse. The Rus
sian horse is large limbed and powerful, with
long stiff hair standing out from the body,
and is not very highly esteemed The French
horses differ much according to the portion
of the country from whence they come; and
the same may be said of the English and
American, to which | shall now invite your
attention.
can find no mention made of horses in
England, prior to the Roman invasion by
Julius Cesar; and they are spoken of in his
commentaries, in terms of high praise. In
fact he esteemed them so highly, that he
carried several specimens back to Rome,
where thew and their propeny were in great