THE BARB. 19 



Egypt to the Mediterranean. The Arabs that are found in this extensive district 

 are mostly the descendants of those who emigrated or were driven from eastern 

 Arabia. The horses are likewise all of Arab stock, considerably modified by 

 chauge of climate, food, and management. Mr. Bruce relates, that " the best 

 African horses are said to be descended from one of the five on which Mahomet 

 and his four immediate successors fled from Mecca to Medina, on the night of 

 the Hegira." This must be received with very considerable allowance. The 

 inhabitants of almost the whole of these countries are as cruelly oppressed as 

 the Fellahs of Egypt, and the consequence of that oppression is the same. The 

 Arabs will scarcely be induced to cultivate a breed of horses of much value, 

 when, without scruple or compensation, they may be deprived of every colt by 

 the first man in pC\ver that chooses to take a fancy to it. It is only among the 

 tribes of the Desert, who are beyond the reach of the tyrants of their country, 

 that the Barb of superior breed, and form, and power, is to be found. 



The common horse of Barbary is a very inferior animal just such a one 

 as many years of supineness and neglect would produce ; but the following are 

 the characteristic points of a true barb, and especially from Morocco, Fez, and the 

 interior of Tripoli : The forehand is long, slender, and ill-furnished with mane, 

 but rising distinctly and boldly out of their withers ; the head is small and lean ; 

 the ears well-formed, and well-placed; the shoulders light, sloping backward, 

 and flat; the withers fine and high; the loins straight and short; the flanks 

 and ribs round and full, and with not too much band ; the haunches strong ; 

 the croup, perhaps, a little too long; the quarters muscular and well developed; 

 the legs clean, with the tendons boldly detached from the bone ; the pastern 

 somewhat too long and oblique ; and the foot sound and good *. They are 

 rather lower than the Arabian, seldom exceeding fourteen hands and an inch, 

 and have not his spirit, or speed, or continuance, although in general form they 

 are probably his superior. 



The barb has chiefly contributed to the excellence of the Spanish horse ; and, 

 when the improvement of the breed of horses began to be systematically pursued 

 in Great Britain, the barb was very early introduced. The Godolphin Arabian, 

 as he is called, and who was the origin of some of our best racing blood, was a 

 barb; and others of our most celebrated turf-horses trace their descent from 

 African mares. They are generally first mounted at two years old. They are 

 never castrated, for " a Mussulman would not mutilate or sell the skin of the 

 beast of the Prophet." The horses alone are used for the saddle t, and the 

 mares are kept for breeding. The cavalry exercise to which their horses are 

 exposed is exceedingly severe. The Moorish method of fighting principally 

 consists in galloping at the very height of their horses' speed, for the distance of 

 a quarter of a mile or more, then suddenly stopping while the rider throws his 

 spear or discharges his musket. By way of exercise, they will sometimes con- 

 tinue to do this without a moment's intermission to change or to breathe their 

 horse. All that is required of the best-taught and most valuable Barbary horse 

 is thus to gallop and to stop, and to stand still, all the day if it is necessary, 

 when his rider quits him. As for trotting, cantering, or ambling, it would be 

 an unpardonable fault were he ever to be guilty of it. A Barbary horse is 



* Berenger, p. 127. neigh, a <l that would give the alarm to the 



f No Arab ever mounts a stallion ; on the party intended to be surprised. No such thing 



contrary, in Africa they never ride mares. The can ever happen when they ride mares only, 



reason is plain. The Arabs are constantly at On the contrary, the African trusts only to 



war with their neighbours, and always endea- superior force. They are in an open plain 



vour to take their enemies by surprise in the country, must be discovered at many miles' 



grey of the evening, or the dawn of day. A distance, and all such surprises and stratagems 



stallion no sooner smells the stale of the mare are useless to them. 

 in the enemy's quarters, than he begins to 



c2 



