FOREIGN HORSES 13 



which are not so " becoming " as a square and narrow 

 muzzle would be, the Englishman is apt to feel dis- 

 appointed, and to show it by stigmatising the Arab's 

 head as coarse. This idea is also helped by the enlarge- 

 ment of the skull on each side of the nasal bone, giving 

 the appearance that a swelling has been caused by a 

 severe blow, when the head is viewed from the front ; 

 so until the observer's eye has been educated, and 

 his judgment matured, he is quite at a loss when deal- 

 ing with Arabian stallions, and does not do sufficient 

 justice to them. The head of a mare, however, 

 more nearly approaches the popular ideal in its elegant 

 proportions. 



Much romance has gathered around the Arab and 

 his steed, and not without good reason. There is 

 a glamour wrapped round the life of both and their 

 sharing of the same tent and food, which has more 

 than a spark of truth in it, though it may not be their 

 everyday portion. But the wild roving habits of the 

 tribes, compelling such close intercourse with the animals 

 in their possession, and the natural sympathy of the 

 Arab for so responsive a nature, combine to bring out 

 the best qualities of each, and make them the closest 

 friends. 



Having been bred for countless generations with one 

 fixed ideal in view, that of carrying his master on raids 

 and expeditions in an arid climate, exposed to extremes 

 of heat and cold — for snow and frost are not unknown 

 in the desert in winter — the qualities most required for 

 such a task have naturally been kept steadily in view, 

 until they have become ingrained in the nature of the 

 animal. The constant close companionship with man in 

 which he lives has also had its usual effect, and 

 developed the intelligence to a very high degree, and the 

 Arabian horse is the very reverse of being dull-witted. 



He shows his lineage in his aspect, and, as with a 

 gamecock, the first glance tells you he is a gentleman 

 of high descent. The fine head, the broad forehead, 

 and large intelligent eyes, all speak of high breeding, and 



