FOREIGN BREEDS 203 



another respect the bone of an Arab is admittedly unsurpassed by that 

 of any other breed of horse, and that is in its quality, as for density, 

 fineness, and elasticity it is perfect, and hence, no doubt, the immense 

 value of an Arab cross to certain breeds which are the victims of coarse, 

 spongy bone. The Arab is also to be commended for his charming 

 temper; excitable and spirited he is, no doubt, but vicious horses are 

 very rare, in fact almost unknown, and a few soothing words, even from 

 a stranger, if he understands horses, will usually quiet the most ruffled 

 feelings. 



It has been remarked above that few serious attempts appear to 

 have been made in this country to improve the speed of the Arab by 

 scientific breeding, Mr. Wilfrid Blunt being a notable and honourable 

 exception. The Arab also has seldom been subjected to a proper course 

 of training, and the performances of some representatives of the breed 

 when matched to run against Thoroughbreds at Newmarket can scarcely 

 have been accepted as encouraging to Arab owners to persevere with 

 them on the turf in this country. In India, however, Arabs run very 

 well, and successfully carry big weights over long distances of ground 

 in good company, their stamina being as pronounced as it is remarkable, 

 considering that the chief grain they are fed on in their native land is 

 barley. There are, however, many other uses for the Arab quite inde- 

 pendent of racing, and it is surprising in the first instance to consider 

 how his qualifications as a saddle horse have been ignored by the public. 

 Detractors of the horse take exception to his shoulders, which certainly, 

 as in all other breeds, are not invariably so good — that is, so long and 

 sloping — as they might be; but in the case of the Arab the muscular 

 development at this point is very great, and this circumstance not in- 

 frequently causes wrong impressions regarding the form and character 

 of his shoulders. Moreover, those who try one generally pronounce an 

 Arab a good ride; and it must not be forgotten by his detractors that 

 he has never been subject to the degradation of leather by his owners 

 in the East, but has been used as a saddle horse from time immemorial. 

 His big quarters, well-shaped, springy pasterns, and light head specially 

 qualify the Arab for saddle purposes; and therefore, as he can jump 

 well and stay, these properties, combined with his usually perfect 

 manners, should cause him to be sought for as a lady's hack or light- 

 weight hunter. 



As a cross for many other breeds the qualifications of the Arab are 

 undeniable. Through the male line, at all events, he has given us the 

 Thoroughbred, and probably the old Pack-horse, and through the latter 

 the Hackney, and other breeds— two of the finest movers whose names 



