His Action. 149 



horse, he contents himself by saying no Arab can walk. 

 The horse has probably never been tried at a trot ; there- 

 fore it is said he cannot trot. I affirm that the Arabian 

 can walk, trot, and gallop. I have possessed some that 

 would walk five miles an hour, and certainly one that 

 could do that pace at the rate of six or more miles in 

 the hour. The fastest trotter I ever rode, or perhaps 

 have ever seen, unless among trained trotters, was an 

 Arab. 



Even the detractors of the Arab allow that he will 

 gallop at speed with ease and in safety over broken and 

 rough ground. This is certain proof that his shoulders 

 are not faulty, and a most incontestable proof that they 

 are very perfect. Besides this, I will give two illustra- 

 tions which will, I think, convince any liorscman that 

 the Arab must have good and perfect shoulders. Most 

 must have noticed when riding on the grass by the side 

 of roads, how constantly their horses are putting their 

 feet into the grips, or on the edge of them, which have 

 been cut to carry off the water, and which, it would 

 appear, they were incapable of avoiding, jerking and 

 shaking their own limbs, and making it unpleasant for 

 their riders. I have known Arabs, on the contrary, 

 either at a canter or a trot, avoid these grips and 

 obstacles by a most nimble management of their legs 

 either extending one shoulder and leg beyond the grip 

 or putting one foot neatly down before concluding the 

 usual length of pace. The other is the ability Arabs 

 have of playing with their forefeet, even when at a 

 tolerably smart gallop. If a bird or insect, no matter 



