CHAPTER VI. 



FAMOUS ARABIAN HORSES. 



I HAVE heard the saying, " Never let an animal lose 

 its sucking flesh." 



"Yes, it is an axiom with English breeders. The 

 Arab foal, on the contrary, while it may enjoy for 

 the first few months of its young life, the pastures 

 and watered plains of 'Araby the blest,' endures 

 great privations. Its tender little feet must trot 

 along after its mother on many a forced march, sub- 

 sisting on the scantiest of fare, and esteeming a little 

 camel's milk the greatest of luxuries. These are 

 hardships for the baby Arab, not lightened by the 

 fierce and perpendicular rays of the sun on his head 

 and spine, and the blistering sands under his feet." 



One cannot wonder that his growth is somewhat 

 stunted, for Arabs are small, are they not? 



"Yes, they are small; but what the Arab lacks in 

 grandeur of physique, as seen in the English thor- 

 oughbred, the Percheron, or the enormous coach 

 horses now so fashionable, he makes up in his per- 

 fect proportion, his proud and dainty and graceful 

 mien and bearing, his never-failing courage, his 

 iron constitution, his delightful temper and disposi- 

 tion, his entire soundness, and his extraordinary 



38 



