6 The Arab Horse 



that he was indeed the robber; and told 

 that he had ridden his mare the fifty 

 miles over the mountains and fifty miles 

 return in seven hours, besides having 

 committed the crime. 



These Hotsuls are nearly the only 

 known tribe of riding mountaineers. 

 Their little horses are noted for great 

 weight-carrying power, are active, wiry, 

 sure-footed, untiring, and very gentle. 

 They are descended from the high caste 

 Arab horses brought into the Carpathians 

 by the Turks, who have invaded the 

 country no less than ninety times within 

 five hundred years. They are generally 

 black, bay or black-brown, and from 

 13 hands 2 inches to 14.2 high. They 

 are said to be the best shooting ponies 

 in the world, and can endure great hard- 

 ships, never tasting grain, and are pas- 

 ured on mountains where there is said to 

 be no day without rain. Bred in the 

 neighbouring stud of Radautz, or at that 

 of Mezohegyes, the Gidran — more pro- 

 perly Jedran, one of the highest caste 



