14 THE HORSE. 



changed. The horses which are found in the remote 

 parts of America are allowed to have been of the Spa- 

 nish breed, and transported thither upon the first dis- 

 covery of that extensive and new-found sphere. It is 

 not in- the Newj but the Old World, that we are to look 

 for this animal in its natural state. In the extensive 

 deserts of Africa, and the wide-spread countries that 

 separate Tartary from the more southern nations, ab- 

 solute droves of them appear ; but Arabia is the spot 

 where the most beautiful breed of this serviceable ani- 

 mal is to be found. There is scarce an Arabian so 

 poor and destitute as not to be in possession of a horse; 

 and so anxious are they to promote the comfort of its 

 existence, that they take no less care of its health than 

 of their own. The Arabian and his horse occupy one 

 tent; and husband and wife, mare, foal, and children, 

 are frequently seen stretched upon the ground toge- 

 ther. Cruelty and severity are never practised; for 

 an Arabian treats his horse as if he were a friend, and 

 never uses either whip or spur but in cases of absolute 

 need. The Arabian horses arc of a middle size, easy 

 in the motion, and rather inclined to be lean than fat. 

 They are regularly dressed morning and evening with 

 the nicest and most exact care : they wash the legs, 

 the mane, and the tail ; but the hair is seldom combed 

 for fear of making it thin: they keep them without 

 food during the da} r , though once or twice in the 

 course of it they are suffered to drink ; but at sun-set 

 they hang a bag upon their heads, which contains 

 about half a bushel of clean barley; this they continue 

 eating the whole night, and the empty bag is removed 

 at the approach of day. So particular are the Arabians 

 about the pedigree of these animals, that they can 

 trace their origin from the most distant. times; and a 

 Welshman is not more vain of- the blood of his ances- 



