78 



Majesty, which may not improbably be of Persian origin. I have 

 myself sometimes supposed, I could perceive a greenish cast in the 

 burnish upon the coats of these Horses. 



The Horses of Circassia, Mingrelia, and of all the circumjacent 

 countries, are numerous and of Tartarian origin, but of superior form 

 and size, from the cross of well bred foreign stallions. The Circassian 

 Horses used to be celebrated for their vigour and the hardiness of their 

 constitution, and are, at this day, in the highest request for the Turkish 

 markets. 



Tartar}'^ is one of the great original breeding countries of the Horse, 

 and as has been stated, disputes the precedence with Arabia. In the 

 vast deserts of both great and little Tartar}', the Horse ever has, and 

 still is to be found in his natural or wild state. I must take the description 

 of the true Tartar Horse, on trust, since I have seen only the half-bred 

 of that race. They ai-e represented by travellers as of a good mode- 

 rate size, either for military or common purposes, and as natural pad- 

 ders or pacers : strong, with the tendons prominent and tough; airy, 

 resolute and dashing, with the blood head, lean and symmetrical, but 

 two small : the forehand long, upright and stiff; very high upon the 

 leg, the fore legs often appearing the highest ; the substance of the 

 hoofs good, but the heels often wiry or narroAV ; endowed with pro- 

 digious speed and unconquerable fortitude. 



My authors farther, and with probability, teach, that the Tartar 

 Horses are bred and trained in the same simple and humane methods 

 as the Arabian ; adding a due portion of that monstrous common- 

 place foolery of their Horses travelling two or three clays without rest- 

 ing, and with no more or better nourishment than a handful or two of 

 grass every eight hours! — habits to which it seems they are early trained 

 and inured by short commons and long journies. This species of pre- 

 paration, I humbly conceive, would neither very well suit our racers, 

 nor post hacks. These silly exaggerations are, however, doubtless 

 grounded on the real great exertions of the Horse of the desert, of his 

 frequent unfortunate necessity of long fasting, or of being content 

 with little food; difficulties under which, from nature and habit, he is 

 as superior to the well fed and more domesticated Horse, as the latter 



must 



