CHAPTER XXI 



ARAB HORSES IN NORTH AMERICA 



Since all European Governments recognise the importance 

 of Arab blood as the foundation for their national horses, 

 has America been clever enough to take the cue from them 

 and follow their example ? 



'Until 1861, the initial year of America's civil war, the 

 foundation blood of her finest horses was the choicest from 

 England's thoroughbreds. This was always kept strongly 

 reinforced by infusion of the blood of Arabian horses.' 



And was America able to secure them, notwithstanding 

 the many difficulties of purchase and importation ? 



' An Arab stallion now and then found his way to America 

 through the persistence of travellers in securing them, either 

 by fair means or foul. Their coming has not only always 

 made a sensation, but the histories of their departure 

 and their arrival here have more or less of romance and 

 mystery attached to them.' 



There is no doubt of that. I have never heard anything 

 about any individual Arabian horse that was not interesting, 

 possibly because of the mystery that seemed to surround 

 him, and the very natural wonderment and question in 

 one's mind as to ' how did he ever get here ? ' 



98 



