BRITISH TURF. 65 



The climate and soil of the native country of 

 the barb, peculiarly resemble those of Arabia, 

 while the treatment of the horses is very similar 

 in both countries. 



Besides these two celebrated breeds, we have 

 imported both Persian, Turkish and East Indian 

 horses. 



Persia, from the remotest ages, has been cele- 

 brated for its horses. Sir John Malcolm ob- 

 serves : *' A variety of horses are produced in 

 Persia. The inhabitants of the districts which 

 border on the gulf, still preserve pure those 

 races of animals which their ancestors brought 

 from the opposite shore of Arabia. In Fars 

 and Irak they have a mixed breed from the 

 Arabian, which, though stronger, is still a small 

 horse, compared with either the Toorkoman or 

 Khorassan breed, which are most prized by the 

 soldiers of Persia. Both these latter races have 

 also a great proportion of Arabian blood." 



The Persian horse and its management is thus 

 described by Sir Robert Ker Porter : 



*' The Persian horses never exceed fourteen 

 or fourteen and a half hands high ; yet certainly, 

 on the whole, are taller than the Arabs. Those 

 of the desert, and country about Hillah, seem 

 very small, but are full of bone, and of good 

 speed. General custom feeds and waters them 



VOL. I. F 



