CHAPTER VIII 



IT IS THE BLOOD THAT TELLS 



The primacy of the Arabian horse has never been doubted, 

 has it, Count, even by the most sceptical ? 



' Their origin is historical from the time of Noah. Not- 

 withstanding all the difficulties attending their purchase, 

 they have still entered Europe and other countries as war- 

 trophies — in a very few instances as gifts — and again many 

 have been stolen. Few have been exchanged for money 

 or merchandise, but all countries need the infusion of their 

 blood to fortify and strengthen the best qualities. 



'The national horses of Austria, Hungary, France and 

 Italy owe their foundation blood to the Arab. The famous 

 Russian Orloffs came from the fiery desert. To go far 

 back, the Roman racers at Ebor were Arabs. The only 

 horses that survived the first year of the Crusades were 

 Spanish Barbs brought by Raymond of Toulouse and his 

 followers.' 



What is a Barb? 



' The Barb is an Arab, but an Arab is not necessarily a 

 Barb. In the early creation of the English thoroughbred 

 it was discovered that the blood of the ^Eastern Horse' 

 produced speed with endurance as well as beauty, which 



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