200 THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD 



by T. Fall 



ARAB MARES AND FOALS 



excrescence, resembling a huge black and flattened wart, on each hind leg just below the 

 " hock," or heel-joint. This excrescence is commonly known as the " chestnut." Its function 

 is unknown. A similar pair of " chestnuts " occurs on the inner side of the fore limb just 

 above the wrist, or " knee," as it is generally- .called. The " chestnuts " of the fore limb occur 

 also in the asses, but not those of the hind limb. 



THE ARAB HORSE 



This magnificent and justly celebrated animal is chosen first for consideration because 

 it is probably a direct descendant of an original wild breed the Asiatic wild horse. How 

 far back the domestication of this breed began will probably never be exactly known. Till 

 the third century after Christ the Arabs were almost certainly camel-riders; but by the 

 sixth century of our era we find them in possession of a breed of horses which they regarded 

 with great reverence, and spoke of as an heritage from their forefathers. They were probably 

 introduced from the Caucasus or Asia Minor. The Arab horse found its way into Europe, perhaps 

 accompanied by an allied breed the Barb with the Arab invasion of Spain in the eighth and 

 ninth centuries, leaving traces of its sojourn in the Andalusian and the French Limousin. But 

 the great value of Arab blood was not appreciated till armour ceased to be used, the excessive 

 weight of this demanding a horse of heavy build. 



The Arab does not appear to have been introduced into England till the seventeenth 

 century ; but the result of that introduction, as we shall see presently, has been fraught with 

 tremendous consequences. In its native land it appears to have been bred chiefly for the 

 purposes of warfare. The success with which the breeders' judicious selection has been 

 rewarded is plainly seen in the wonderful powers of endurance on long marches ; so that, at 

 the end of a raid, the animal is still fresh enough either for flight, if necessary, or for a final 

 rush on a retreating enemy. Besides, Arabs possess great courage, and are frugal both in the 

 matter of food and drink. 



