.%i HISTORY OF THE HORSE, 



HORSES OF ASIA AND AFRICA. 



THE AKABIAN. 



Id this country the horse, even in its wild state, (in which 

 condition, as before remarked, it is rarely found,) is possessed 

 of a beautiful symmetry of form, and a disposition of the 

 greatest gentleness and generosity. His size is small, averag- 

 ing in height generally between thirteen and fourteen hands, 

 (the hand being reckoned at about four inches of our measure) ; 

 color a dappled grey, though sometimes a dark brown ; mane 

 and tail short and black. The only mode of capturing him is 

 by snares carefully concealed in the sand, as his exceeding 

 swiftness prevents all possibility of taking him by the chase. 

 The fondness of the Arab for his steed is well known, having 

 long since passed into a proverb. The horse of the poorest 

 wanderer of the desert shares with his master and his family 

 every attention and caress which the strongest attachment can 

 prompt. Mares are always preferred by the Arab to horses, 

 as they endure fatigue and the hardships incident to a desert 

 life much more patiently, and they can be kept together in 

 greater numbers without the risk of quarrels and mutual in» 

 juries. Great attention is paid to the coat of the animal. He 

 is carefully washed each morning and evening, or after a long 

 ride ; is fed only during the night, receiving throughout the 

 day nothing but one or two drinks of water. 



The head of the pure Arab is light, well made, wide be- 

 tween the nostrils, forehead broad, muzzle short and fine, nos- 

 trils expanded and transparent, eyes prominent and sparkling, 

 «ars small J neck somewhat short; shoulders high and well 



