Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-11-29
ARABIAN HORSES,


CThe publication of the following fore
ible article, written by a Connecticut
gentleman of much intelligence, has been
accidentally delayed.-ED. REG.
Having within the last few months
read several articles in various papers
concerning the Arabian horse; and hav
ing listened to considerable "horse talk"
on the same subject, we are constrained
to believe that a few facts gathered from
history, observation and experience might
not come amiss to those who are inclined
to consider the Arabian horse question
nationally. Our attention was first called
to the subject by friend who is breed
ing an Arab cross by way of experiment.
1t was to an article in the January issue
of Wallace's Monthly. headed "Of His
Base" We were requested to reply to
this article if it could be replied to. As
we carefully read the article in question,
it occurred to us that it contained several
statements that would not bear the light
of investigation; hence our reply. This
article calls in question the good sense of
one Senator Palmer of Michigan, a breed
er of horses, and Il recent importer of an
Arabian stallion, and also sneers at Mr..
Randolph Huntington and all other breed
ers of the Arabian horse and at all
writers ON this subject, and styles them
"demented cranks" and "literary fellers"
that lie so innocently, and says if man
once gets an ARAB bee' in his bonnet.
his horse sense, if he ever had any, deserts
him, and continues with some imaginary
statements about breeding without stat
ing any facts to substantiate them.
The writer then admits that he has had
no experience in breeding or crossing
Arab horses with other so-called breeds
and invites Mr.. Huntington to correct
him if he has erred, and further adds
that 1--WE don't want any new types of
horses" but admits that there is room for
improvement in all the so-called breeds
that we now have. He then says that
the Arab horse is simply Il magnificent
pony which romantic writers describe in
carrying on his back the CORY Mohame-
dan gritty with the sands of the desert,
and consequently failure except in
romantic fiction, and ends with sheer
at Senator Palmer and his proposed cross
of the Arab and Percheron and says that
sits coming will not even disturb the
occupation of the noble mule
This certainly is all very pithy and re-
freshing and might be taken for good
horse sense by the unintiated.
No doubt the good people of Michigan
feel highly hattered ar the encomiums
showered upon their chosen senator, and
at the reflection cast upon their own
good judgment as citizens of great
State, while we have good authority for
saying that the "Arab-Percheron cross"
has produced really magnificent animals,
several specimens of which may be found
In this country at the present time.
Then the writer is again in error in
referring to Mr.. Huntington, in which he
says, she is the owner of Lindentree, ia
added in manner evidently intending to
convey sneer at that valuable, active
and beautiful pure-bred Arabian stallion,
not now or ever owned by Mr. Hunting
ton, but until recently by the heirs of the
late Gen. U. S. Grant, to whom he was
presented by the Sultan of Turkey as
one of the best of his thoroughbred stud.
Lindentree is now owned by Gen. Col
by of Beatrice, Nebraska; it is reported
that the price paid for him was $4,000.
Then, again, the writer asserts with his
mind evidently on Mr.. Huntingdon that
Arab trotters exist only in the perverted
fancies of demeDted cranks. Doubtless Mr..
Randolph Huntington is fully compe-
tent to give the writer of that article the
information he evidently needs on the
subject of breeding Arab horses, but may
not be willing to waste his time so use
lessly. What a pity it is according to
the estimate this writer and inexperi-
enced breeder places upon his own sup
posed infallibility) that all horsemen are
not governed by his opinions; but they
are not so governed; they prefer facts
rather than the judgment of the ineXperi.
enced.
Let us introduce little evidence Oh
this Arab horse question. Witness, Gen
L. S. Grant, whose superior judgment
and far-seeing wisdom directed and con-
trolled the mighty armies of the North