8 THE ARABIAN HORSE. 



human nature, and in the approach to rationality. The Arab, his wife and 

 children, his mare and foal, repose together under the same roof, and upon the 

 same bed. The social and affectionate interchange often happens, that the foal is 

 i ('stilly upon the bosom of the wife, and the young children sleeping upon the 

 neck and body of the mare! nor is there the least apprehension that the gentle 

 and docile animal should overlay or injure her charge. The Arabs do not beat 

 and abuse their horses like the two-leg*ged brutes of polished Europe, but discourse 

 and reason with them, allowing them an equal share with themselves of all the 

 varies of life ; and the event demonstrates their plan, as more just and rational, 

 far more successful than ours. 



Nevertheless the Arab, so kind and considerate to his horse generally, and even 

 transported with a boundless affection for him, exhibits that anomaly of conduct, 

 which is a common and prominent infirmity in human nature. The training and 

 trial of the horse, and indeed the system of horsemanship of the Arabs, are most 

 severe, and even irrational and cruel, perfectly fitted for the approbation of sucli 

 ^>j)liists as Chatcaubriant : as an example, their mode of trial for a maiden horse 

 of the highest form, is to ride him during the heat of their African sun, ninety 

 miles over the burning sands and stones of the desart, without resting, or drawing 

 drop or bit ! and at the end of that moderate stage, to plunge him up to the chest 

 in water! if he will then immediately eat his corn, his blood is genuine! The 

 \rahian horse is not accustomed to trot, but to walk, canter, and gallop. He is 

 ridden with a sharp bit, which in checking him with a sudden or heavy hand, 

 fills his mouth with blood, until it becomes thoroughly callous and insensible; and 

 the eastern custom of suddenly stopping him in his full career, throws such a 

 \\riu-ht upon his haunches, as either to break him down at once, or at a very 

 early age. 



