THE ARAB HORSE. 



241 



supposed, however, that the Horse must have derived its origin from 

 Central Asia, and from thence have spread to almost every portion of 

 the globe. 



The elegant, swift, and withal powerful, Horses of which England is 

 so proud, and which are employed in the chase or the course, owe their 

 best qualities to the judicious admixture of the Arabian blood. The 

 Arab Horse has long been celebrated for its swift limbs, exquisite 

 form, and affectionate disposition. 



There are several breeds of Arab horses, only one of which is of 

 very great value. This variety, termed the Kochlani, is so highly 



The Arab Horse in his Native Plains. 



prized that a mare of the pure breed can hardly be procured at any 

 cost, and even the male animal is not easy of attainment. The ped- 

 igree of these Horses is carefully preserved, and written in most florid 

 terms upon parchment. In some cases the genealogy is said to extend 

 for nearly two thousand years. The body of the Arab Horse is very 

 light, its neck long and arched, its eye full and soft, and its limbs del- 

 icate and, slender. The temper of the animal is remarkably sweet, 

 for, as it has been born and bred among the family of its owner, even 

 the little children that roll about among its legs are as carefully shield- 

 ed from injury as though they were its own offspring. So attached to 

 its owner is this beautiful Horse that if he should be thrown from its 



21 Q 



