Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-11-22
ARAB HORSES IN EUROPE.
Visit TO the Stables in England Where
the Fine Animals are Bred.
Great Demand for Them = Pedigree
and characteristics Bargain
ing With the Bedouins.

5 descendant of Lord Byron, has accom-
panied MN IN his journeys, and has writ
ten at least one book narrating her obser-
vations and experiences.
But to certain class of his countrymen
Wilfrid Blunt is better known as an i'm
porter and breeder of Arab horses. His
breeding p. ace Is known as Crabbet Park.
and there was visited by a representative.
some time ago, of the Pail Mall Gazette,
who describes the mansion of Crabbet
Park, originally an Elizabethan house. of
which little remains. 1t has been added
to by successive owners. the latter por-
tons by Mr.. Blunt. The principal por-
ton stands four square, bold in character
but not lacking refinement. To one side
the servants buildings are attach
ed, while two sides are fronted by clean
cut lawns, and the fourth side by a little
piece of ground about half an acre in ex-
tent. which has been allowed to grow wild
Here Is pitched Mr.. Blunt's travelling tent,
with an Arab spear at the entrance and
generally mare tethered close by.
This, said Mr. Blunt. lis what we
call the Desert. Some people laugh at
me for keeping it so, but it would astonish
you to know what a reputation it has got.
have had the Redouins in Asia ask me
about it. They think live in England in
the midst of desert. The rooms are
large and lofty, particularly the dining
room, which is hung with tapestry. There
are many pictures on the walls, not very
| striking, ore of the best, perhaps being a
portrait of her husband as an Arab chief
on horseback, by Lady Anne, a work
which shows very considerable skill Lady
Anne spends much of her time in painting
vrba M { 70 hbat por1- ,,-l,;l,
sklllful operator with the more accurate
Photographic lens.
The correspondent visited the stables
and noted the wonderful docilitv of the
animals and their evident affection for
Lady Anne and Miss Blunt. not to men
ton the Jumps of sugar which they called
forth. Then we crossed the field, he said,
where about dozen mares came at Mr..
Blunt S call and followed us single file in a
long procession. | afterward led Mr..
Blunt to expatlate on the qualities of Arabs,
which he did with great enthusiasm and
know edge on his subject, and | give be-
low what Is as nearly as may be verbatim
report of his wods:
SIS it fad, this breeding of Arab
horses?' | had the temerity to ask. Ger
tainly not, = was the reply. 1T is true
our initial cost was considerable, but we
now pay all expenses, and have no doubt
that soon we will more than recover our
original outlay. | am glad to say that the
qualities of Arabs are every year becoming
better appreciated in England. When we
began selling nearly all the horses went
abroad to Italy, Russia, and the colonies.
but We now find Il constant demand for
| them at home. "
How long have you bred Arabs at Crab
bet Park?'
We began in 1873 with fifteen mares
| and three horses, which | imported from
| north Arabia. Since then | have at diff
erent times brought over four new horses
and one new mare. We have sold about
seventy-tive horses of different ages at our
five sales, at an average price of 100 gum
cas-. | have now about fifty animals in
Crabbet Park, and | shall in future have
my sales annually instead of every other
year.
What was your original intention in
introducing them into England?" Il had
the idea originally of breeding for speed.
but have abandoned it; not that it would
be impossible to develop racing excellence,
but that it would take too long"
''Was there not an Arab race got up
some years ago. Yes, there was. In
1884, at Newmarket, there was a two-mile
race, but, as there were no other horses
than Arabs, and as the race was not timed.
1t proved absolutely valueless.
do you breed for increased height?"
II don think there is any advantage in
going above Is hands That height is
quite exceptional in the desert where IA
hands inches is the average. Most of
our mares are Is hands. an increase. which
we got. of course, by superior and more
regular feed than the Arabs can give their
horses. | now restrict myself to keeping
the breed pure and developing the peculiar
qualities of the Arab, which are a. perfect
soundness. especially in the legs and feet,
where English horses are most defective;
(2l good temper they have not got such a
thing as a kick in theml; (3) beauty, and
AZ staying power.
To what purpose is the Arab best fitted
in England? He is very useful as hack.
but you must not suppose that he is not
capable of carrying very heavy weights in
that capacity. Then he is a very bold per-
former across country, and will carry
light weight with the best English horses.
He is a perfect ladies' hunter He is per-
haps, still better adapted for light carriage
work, owing to the excellency of his feet,
which will stand any amount of wear and
teftl. He Is a good trotter. and will pre-
serve an even pace up the steepest hills.
He has also the great advantage of light
and pleasant mouth. It is no exaggeration
to say that a team of four Arab mares
may be driven by any lady without fatigue.
and by man between his thumb and fore
finger.
My opinion is that the Arab belongs
to the original wild races of Africa rather
than of Asia, and was introduced to south
ern Arabia by way of Abyssinia, whence
1t is historical that he spread northward.
He was not known in Europe before the
Mahommedan conquest. but since then his
blood has spread through all the lands
visited by communication with Mecca.
through the pilgrimage. The Barb of
north Africa the Andalusian horse of Spain.
the Turk. the Persian, the Turcoman have
been all largely infused for centuries with
Arab blood. The first Arab blood in Eng
land was probably brought through Spain
and France, and later through Palestine
by the Crusaders.
The special characteristics of the Arab
may be traced to the circumstances and
necessities of Bedouin life.
The great intellectual deveIopment-if !
may use the words-and the great docility
of temper clearly come from selection by
breeders who live in daily companionship
with their horses. The Bedouin children
are all day running about and playing
among the heels of the mares The breed
ers would. therefore, discard an awkward
or ill-tempered beast, and by long pro-
cess of selection get rid of ill-temper.
Again. great hardness of constitution is
necessary in a country which is subject to
droughts, dearths, and violent changes of
climate.
Did you experience any difficulty" |
interrupted. I'm acclimating them in Eng
land ?" Not the slightest, " replied Mr..
Blunt. We leave themput of doors all the
year round except when there is snow on
the ground. The climate of north Arabia
Is as severe as that Of England The Bed
ouin system of warfare. which is the pur-
pose to which they are put. accounts for
their enormous staying power. 1t con-
sists of long forced marches often of as
much as 500 miles. where they would be |
obliged to do as much as fifty to eighty |
miles day, on no better food than chan !
ees to come IN their way. and often with !
out water. Then at the end they must |
have sufficient courage and spirit left TO b.. |
able to maneuver IN Arab lance-fghting |
and to carry their masters back with the |
booty they have secured.
why does one see so many gray Arabs |