I30 THE HISTORY AND ART 



the fame fize, born under a colder Jky, while they 

 are in proportion flronger, and capable of greater tt- 

 fiftance. 



The Turks ride with their llirrups fo Ihort, that 

 their knees are almoft as much bent, as when they fit 

 upon their hams upon a fopha. Their faddles are as 

 large and unweildy as a pack-faddle ; they faften and 

 fecure them upon the hcrfe by a large girth, which 

 paffes over them, and prevents the faddles from turning, 

 which their great weight would otherwife make them 

 do. The bridles are generally gilt and ornamented, but 

 otherwife very clumfy and ill made. 



The Turks feldom ufe Spiirs, or carry a whip or 

 fwitch, neverthelefs they have an abfolute command 

 over their horfes, and make them do whatever they 

 pleafe. In riding, they ufe only a (lick of about three 

 feet in length, and as big as a large cane ; this they hold 

 by the middle, and ftrike the horfe with it on his neck 

 with either end, to direct: and compel him to turn j 

 making them run at full fpeed, and laying them out 

 fo rapidly, as almoft to make their bellies touch the 

 ground, the riders, at the fame time, flriking their darts 

 into a turban, or tofling them in the air, riding after, and 

 catching them before they fall to the ground. Others, 

 efpecially the ^rabs belonging to the Sultan, will leap 

 from one horfe on another, running at their utmoft 

 fpeed, others will creep under the belly, and up to the 

 faddle again, others will turn two or three times round 

 the horfe's neck, and others will ftand upright upon 



6 the 



