CHAPTER VI 



FAMOUS ARABIAN HORSES 



I HAVE heard the saying, ' Never let an animal lose its 

 sucking flesh.' 



' Yes, it is an axiom with English breeders. The Arab 

 foal, on the contrary, while it may enjoy for the first few 

 months of its young life the pastures and watered plains of 

 "Araby the blest," endures great privations. Its tender 

 little feet must trot along after its mother, on many a forced 

 march, subsisting on the scantiest of fare, and esteeming a 

 httle camel's milk the greatest of luxuries. These are hard- 

 ships for the baby Arab, not lightened by the fierce and 

 perpendicular rays of the sun, on his head and spine, and 

 the blistering sands under his feet.' 



One cannot wonder that his growth is somewhat stunted, 

 for Arabs are small, are they not? 



' Yes, they are small ; but what the Arab lacks in 

 grandeur of physique, as seen in the English thoroughbred, 

 the Percheron, or the enormous coach horses now so 

 fashionable, he makes up in his perfect proportion, his 

 proud and dainty and graceful mien and bearing, his 

 never-faihng courage, his iron constitution, his delightful 



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