PEDIGREE OF ARABIAN HORSES. 49 



hold this same peculiar tenet with regard to their 

 horses. Nothing will induce them to part with a 

 mare of any rare breed, and because of their sex they 

 are more highly esteemed and more favored. So in 

 speaking of a man or stallion the question is always, 

 not who is his father, but who is his mother?" 



Have the horses in Russia any special value or 

 characteristics? 



" The native Turcoman horses are closely allied 

 with the Arabian. They are exceedingly tough, 

 wild, and difficult to tame and teach. So obstinate 

 are they and so wicked that given a good chance 

 they will kill their rider or keeper, and failing this, 

 will persistently refuse to eat and thus starve to 

 death, rather than obey." 



Is it possible to break them? 



"Ah, yes! Once broken, however, no breed of 

 horses is more reliable or intelligent, or so suscep- 

 tible to the highest training. To the newly-enlisted 

 soldier is given the well-trained horse, which in 

 time trains and teaches the soldier, answering to the 

 word of command in the drill, and going through its 

 intricate evolutions with automatic precision, without 

 the aid of spur, whip, or even bridle. In this way 

 the new soldier is taught." 



And what about the new horses? 



"Ah, madam, it is another matter when new 

 horses come to be trained in military tactics. Then 

 the old soldier's experience is required, and it is to 

 him that the new horse is given to be broken to 

 martial ways and sounds." 



When do ordinary horses reach their prime? 

 4 



