402 NATURAL HISTORY OF ARABIA 



completed their fifth year ; but the poorer class somethnes 

 •wait no longer than the fourth, as they are eager for the pro- 

 fits arising from the sale of the foals. The colts are usually 

 ridden after the completion of the second year, and from the 

 time they are first mounted the saddle is but rarely taken off 

 their backs. In winter a coarse sackcloth is thrown over them, 

 and in summer they stand exposed to the mid-day sun. Their 

 saddles are of wood, covered with Spanish leather ; but they 

 have no pommels, instead of which they make use of stitched 

 felt. The stirrups are very short, with flat square bottoms 

 and sharp-pointed corners, which answer the purpose of spurs ; 

 the slightest touch makes the animal fly like the wind, while 

 the rider bears himself upon the stirrups that he may use his 

 lance with greater vigour. The Nejed Bedouins have no 

 other saddles than a stuflfed sheep-skin ; they all ride without 

 stirrups or bridles, guiding the horse merely with a halter. 

 This is nowise surprising, when the extreme docility of the 

 animal is considered, — without vice of any kind, — and more 

 the friend and companion than the slave of his master. When 

 not employed in war or travelhng, they loiter about the tents, 

 often going over heaps of children lying on the ground, and 

 carefully picking their steps lest they should hurt them. 

 They allow themselves to be kissed and toyed with, or 

 hugged round the neck, without doing the smallest injurv. 

 The different colours of Arabian horses are clear bay (ahmar), 

 brown bay {adhem), sorrel (ashekwar), white {ahead), pure 

 gray (azrek), mottled gray (raktha), bluish gray (akhdar), 

 black (udhern), and dark chesnut {ulmar mukruk) : black and 

 light bays {aswad and ashehah) are unknown in Arabia, and 

 only found in Persia, Tartary, and Turkey. 



In general, these animals are of a middle size, of a slender 

 delicate shape, light and active, rather lean than fat, but of 

 surprising swiftness, and accustomed to the fatigue of long 

 marches. They have small ears, little belly, and a short 

 scanty tail. They are almost invariably free from apparent 

 deformities, and so gentle that women or children may man- 

 age them. The physical qualities which the Arabs prize 

 most in this animal are the following : — Neck long and arched, 

 — head small, — ears tapering and almost meeting at the 

 points, — eyes large and full of fire, — lower jaw thin, — muzzle 

 bare, — wide nostrils, — belly not too broad, — sinewy legs, — 

 pasterns short and flexible, — hoofs hard and ample, — chest 

 broad, — rump high and rounded. Whenever the three beau- 



