HISTORY OF THE HORSE. I47 



correct idea of what the primeval animal was. 

 They are generally smaller, yet stronger, than 

 the domesticated animal, with rougher coats, 

 stronger limbs, and larger heads. Even when 

 adult, the wild horse is readily domesticated, and 

 may be broken to any use without great difficulty, 

 thus proving the natural gentleness and docility 

 of his nature. They are captured by the lasso, 

 bitted, mounted, and broken within an hour by 

 the daring and skillful Gauchos. 



The Arabians, long renowned for their attach- 

 ment to the horse, early showed the extent to 

 which intelligent training could develop his finer 

 qualities, and render him the most docile and 

 obedient of animals. Something in that country 

 or its climate is especially suited to the develop- 

 ment of the horse, and, although introduced 

 there long after his domestication in other east- 

 ern countries, he rapidly attained a degree of 

 excellence which surpassed all others, until the 

 horses of Arabia and the adjacent portions of 

 Asia and Africa became the most celebrated for 

 speed, courage, spirit, intelligence and docility of 



