178 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



It is a question worthy of consideration, whether, with the 

 present improved methods of subduing and educating horses, 

 stallions might not be more generally preserved in their original 

 strength and beauty with decided advantage. 



The greatest objection to them perhaps is their almost uncon- 

 querable disposition to neigh at certain seasons. It is said that 

 in Hungary the practice prevails of cutting across the septum 

 naris, or cartilage between the nostrils by a horizontal incision, 

 and that this destroys the power of neighing and improves the 

 wind by enlarging the nostrils. If the neighing of stallions and 

 especially the braying of asses and mules could by so simple an 

 operation be suppressed, it should always be performed. 



Arabian horses are of small size, rarely exceeding fourteen 

 and one half hands in height, or nine hundred pounds in weight. 

 Their limbs arc very clean and delicate, and their pasterns 

 long and sloping. They are smoothly and compactly built, 

 though rather narrow chested. Their shoulders are oblique 

 and well furnished with muscle, their withers high and thin, 

 and their heads are often absolutely perfect, being fnie in the 

 muzzle, broad and full between the eyes, and adorned with 

 most beautiful, lively and expressive ears. They are usually 

 treated with kindness and are exceedingly gentle and intelli- 

 gent. 



The foal at the time of its birth is not allowed to fall upon 

 the ground, but is received in the arms of its owner and washed 

 and caressed like an infant. To avoid injury to the dam and 

 her future progeny, as she is expected to breed every year, the 

 foal is weaned when thirty days old, and fed for one hundred 

 days on camel's milk, when it begins to eat small quantities of 

 wheat or barley, which is to be its principal food in after life. 



The Arab usually feeds his mare twice a day with five or six 

 pounds of grain and a handful of straw, if he has it, and at 

 evening gives her a little water. She remains saddled all day, 

 cither loose or fastened near the tent, to be ready for any sudden 

 emergency. Although thin in flesh, except when grass is 

 abundant, these animals possess great speed and remarkable 

 endurance, having been known to run more than one hundred 

 miles without halting, and to go without food, or drink, for 

 several days. They are taught to gallop to the tent when 

 called ; to })ick up things from the ground and give them to 



