xviii Introduction 



attention to certain questions as worthy 

 of our consideration. First: Are Arab 

 horses so different from all others that 

 they are a class by themselves, distinct 

 and separate? Secondly: In what part 

 of the world did they first appear? 



The latter question is one for scientists 

 to settle; it is a subject for academic 

 discussion alone. Before we are through 

 with the matters to be presented, there 

 will probably be few who will doubt 

 where Arab horses live at present and 

 have been found for hundreds of years in 

 a state of pure breeding. With this 

 view Professor Osbom is entirely in ac- 

 cord, for he writes: 



''There is no question that it (the 

 Arab horse) has been the uplifting, en- 

 nobling quality which has been introduced 

 in the blood of common horses from a 

 period dating back from 1600 to 2000 

 B. C." 



His statement not only coincides with 

 writings which will be quoted of those 

 who have studied the subject in Arabia 



