The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-08-28
RIDING IN MOROCCO.
Social PrOciEvftfos OF the Horses and
Mules OC T0ngier.
amelia Perrier.I

4
lend an added charm. Particularly it
| does not In Tangier, as discovered the
first time tried it, on the back of a
brown pony, who, when he stood, had
his hind legs very close together and his
fore legs very far apart, and whose eve
gave forth mingled expression OF low
cunning and confirmed obstinacy. Irode
up the main street, my steed slipping
and scrambling among the geographi-
cal inequalities of its surface, which I
have already described. 1 found it very
unpleasant I rode down again, and
| found it more unpleasant still. How
ever, we didn't fall, that was one great
thing, considering how easy it would
have been to fall under such eiTeum-
stances, though felt as if we should do
so at every step. That we did not was
perhaps in some measure attributable to
the remarkable eonfguration of my
horses legs, which I have noticed, and
which I believe was not i'll adapted to
taking us up and down the streets of
Tangier In comparative safety. At least
believe it was better adapted than that
of another brown pony, on which rode
on a subsequent occasion, whose hind
legs were far apart, and whose fore-legs
were close together. He had droop-
ing head, too, IN consequence of passing
his whole time in contemplation of his
knees, which were both broken. His
utter oblivion of every other object but
this (the nature of the pavement and
my presence on his shack included) caused
him to stumble about every ten yards or
so. This did not signify so much going
up hill, but coming down it was preea-
rious. 1 fancy he must have taken to
contemplating his knees even before they
got broken, and that this was the origi-
mating cause of the first accident. Now
he looked at them always, and fell and
rehroke them about once week,
should say. ...-...--
The horses and mules of Tangier are
a rather peculiar race, and some of their
characteristics render them worthy, 1
think, of a little special description.
They are IN general under-fed and
overworked, i'll groomed and well
thrashed and their physique presents
all the appearances to be expected from
such mode of treatment. Notwith-
standing, however, their low diet and Ia
borious duties, some of them are given
to running away on the smallest, and
sometimes without any provocation. I
don't think, though, that they do it with
any wild hope of running away from
Tangier and their most miserable exis-
tence there, as they generally stop sud
denly short when in full career. This,
as. every one accustomed to equestrian
exercise knows, is apt to result unpleas-
antly for the rider. Many of them, too,
are addicted to buck-jumping. They al
most all kick, few of them rear, and
some of them shy there are others who
do all, and do them all well.
All the horses and mules in Tangier
know each other intimately. This is no
doubt agreeable for them, but is often
exceedingly awkward for their riders.
They, the quadrupeds, of course have
their liIings and dislikings among them
selves, and occasionally display their
slight preferences and animosities but
still, as a general thing, they are all
stout allies, and firmly leagued to a
horse and mule against all riders of ell
ther sex, and any country whatsoever.
Thus, they always like to go in single
file. II is no doubt the most convenient
in the narrow streets and lanes, but on
many of the roads, and of course on the
sands and open plains, there is no neces-
sity for observing this order. But that
the human beings whom they may be
carrying on their backs would prefer not
to observe it, signifies nothing at all to
these self-willed and obstinate beasts. If,
when riding, whipped up my pony to
make him go on and join our compan-
ions in front, he always darted on be-
yond putting his face close to his
friends as he passed, with knowing
look in his eye, that plainly said, :" You
keep behind now, old fellow" At the
same time, if, when out, they ever
chance to meet any OF their own near re-
lation or intimate friends, no matter of
how miserable or disreputable an aspect,
or in what low and degrading employ
ment engaged, they have no scruple in
instantly joining company with them.
Passing up the main street one time,
with party of friends, all going IN SIN
gle file, my horse fell in with gossip
of his, shabby wretch, carrying pack
saddle and two huge bundles of fire
wood. The two put their heads together,
and could not get them to part. Go
ing through the narrow gateway it was
most unpleasant for me, as my feet and
Che fire-wood we're brought into sharp
collision. When we passed the gate
way, the path that my friends and /
were about TO take diverged from that
of my horses vulgar acquaintance with
the fire-woOd Naturally wished TO
90 with my friends. Perhaps it was
equally natural that my horse wanted to
go with his friend A dispute arose. 1t
was very awkard in a narrow place where
three roads met, and among three streams
Of cameis, horses, mules, donkeys, and
people. Still of course I couldn't give
in. Had I done 50, am sure every
four-footed beast IN Tangier would have
heard Of it that night, and could never
have hoped for heslightest respect from
one of them again. But when my horse
found that was not to be bullied, he
took a mean advantage Of our relative
positions, and turned his head round
and bit my foot Biting their riders
iestis, Imay add. a favorite mode Of
vengeance with the Tangier horses.
On another occasion I was riding on
tie Marshen accompanied by Seiam on
FOOT on particularly lazy brown pony.
He was the lnOck-kneed one have be-
fore referred TO. wanted 10 have 3
eanter, but he didn't Suddenly. how
ever, he started of at a great pace, Mt
teTly regardless Of the holes and bill