Conchision. 199 



which have also been derived or improved by the 

 Arabian, but whatever advantage it may be supposed 

 he has drawn from the Barb and other horses of Eastern 

 blood, has really been derived from the Arabian, who 

 gave the excellence to those breeds. 



' The Toorkomans trace their breed of horses to 

 Arabian sires,' and procure Arab blood to invigorate 

 their breed as often as opportunity may occur. The 

 Persian is certainly a breed improved by the Arabian. 

 It is stated that those horses bred in Kurdistan are ac- 

 counted the best in beauty and strength — very likely 

 they have received a further infusion of Arabian blood 

 since the Shammar have occupied Mesopotamia. The 

 Barb is a descendant of the Arabian, but certainly not 

 always of pure blood. 



A national stud is wanted. There is a cry for a 

 system that shall supply good and useful horses. But 

 some will say it must be for the production of good, 

 sound, weight-carrying hunters ; others want good riding 

 horses for general purposes ; the Government, horses 

 for the army ; the sportsman a racer. When, after the 

 lapse of more than a century, our thorough-bred horse 

 has failed to become our saddle horse, our hunter, does 

 not supply our cavalry with hardy and useful horses, 

 now is the time no longer to postpone the selection of 

 the Arabian, The horse who in himself answers all 

 these requirements, whose natural attributes are fire and 

 sagacity, blood and action, speed and bottom. 



The sportsman who loves racing for the sport itself 

 may yet carry off the Blue Riband of the Turf with a 



