VARIETIES OF THE HORSE. 37 



girth seem carried forward, whence the idea common 

 amongst those who know a little,, and only a little, about 

 shape and make, that Arabs are bad-shouldered horses. 

 (Some are, of course; so sometimes are winners at 

 Newmarket and even Epsom.) The croup is high to 

 a degree seen only in horses of this high caste, and 

 the tail is set on very high, and carried right off the 

 back. The fore-arms of the Arab are remarkably mus- 

 cular. Very short from the knee downwards, he has 

 great flat clean legs, that no ill-usage can cause to puflF. 

 His feet are high at the heel, a little " donkeyfied,^^ but 

 hard as flints, and with as much wear in them. His 

 thighs are to match his arms. His hind legs are well 

 under him, and his hocks often turn in a little. He is 

 hard as nails, will eat anything or nothing, and you may 

 ride him for a month at a time. As a charger he is best. 

 Intelligent and obliging as a poodle, he is still bold and 

 resolute. When he once sees what vagaries are required 

 of him, he will perform them. He is startled at neither 

 lance-flags, swords, firing, nor music, nor any of the bug- 

 bears of English remounts, but he hates a camel* (small 

 blame to him) and mistrusts an elephant. He will fast as 

 long as you like, and you may tire him if you can, being 

 careful not to fatigue yourself in the attempt. He is 

 not perfect, owing to bad breaking ; his walk is often a 

 shuflle, nor is his trot even. He sometimes '' runs,^^ and 

 mostly stumbles. Good riding and English bridles 

 improve all this, though. His fast pace is a nine miles 

 an hour canter, at which he can stay till the week after 

 next. Among other horses he is, though entire, quiet ; 



* Oddly enough, English horses have not the same objection to. 

 a camel that the Orientals have ; in several instances I have 

 observed this rather nnaccountable difference of taste. 



