90 Centaur ; 



play over hill and vale, mouatain and torrent, through river 

 and marsh, and ultimately bring him home (guided by the 

 hand alone) as docile and tame as a lap-dog. 



The Arabs are good riders without the bridle and saddle, 

 and are frequently to be seen with a common halter and 

 piece of linen for the horse's back. The Arabian horses 

 are considered by some more active and pleasant to ride 

 than the English thoroughbred ; but such is not the 

 general opinion. The Arabs are known to be particularly 

 fond of the horse, and would rather lose their lives than 

 part with their steeds. It is said the horse reciprocates the 

 good feeling, fully appreciating the constant care and 

 attention shown towards him by his master — whom it 

 is no strange sight to see fondling and embracing, and 

 sometimes even kissing his horse. 



The Turkish horse is descended from the Arab, and 

 is a splendid creature. The Turks* are good riders and 

 very kind to their horses, and the steeds are always very 

 gentle and obedient. The men are never known to thrash 

 or abuse their horses, and a vicious animal is rarely to be 

 found among them. It is a common thing to see a Turkish 

 horse kneel down to receive its rider ; such is the result of 

 good training. In Turkey riding is the rule and driving the 

 exception, coach building being somewhat in its infancy, at 

 least compared with our own count rj^ For riding, the 

 Turks prefer horses ; the Arabs are more in favour of mares. 

 The Ganchos are supposed to be the cleverest horsemen at 

 lassoing wild horses, which are to be seen in their native 

 state on the prairies of North and South America, in Tartary, 

 the centre of Africa, and the deserts of Arabia. 



Among the wild horses of South America the mares are 

 seldom tamed, but allowed to roam about with their offspring 

 at pleasure. It is the great ambition of the young Indian to 

 possess a good horse for buffalo hunting, and if he cannot 

 get it by fair means he will steal one. In the art of riding 

 they are entirely self-taught, having no knowledge of the 

 " hunting seat," which is so much preferred and generally 

 adopted in England. The Indian stands astride, as it were, 

 in performing his wonderful evolutions ; his grip to the 

 horse is (as we should term it) the " fork " or military seat. 

 The position of the Indian upon the horse's back, and that 

 of the jockey of the present day are great extremes. 



* Turks, as soldiers, are unsurpassed in the World ; hence the saying, 

 •'Fight like a Turk," 



