CHAPTER VIII. 



IT IS THE BLOOD THAT TELLS. 



The primacy of the Arabian horse has never been 

 doubted, has it, Count, even by the most sceptical? 



" Their origin is historical from the time of Noah. 

 Notwithstanding all the difficulties attending their 

 purchase they have still entered Europe and other 

 countries as war-trophies — in a very few instances as 

 gifts — and again many have been stolen. Few have 

 been exchanged for money or merchandise, but all 

 countries need the infusion of their blood to fortify 

 and strengthen the best qualities." 



What nations have been specially successful in 

 obtaining them? 



" The national horses of Austria, Hungary, France, 

 and Italy owe their foundation blood to the Arab. 

 The famous Russian Orloffs came from the fiery 

 desert. To go far back, the Roman racers at Ebor 

 were Arabs. The only horses that survived the 

 first year of the Crusades were Spanish Barbs brought 

 by Raymond of Toulouse and his followers." 



What is a Barb? 



" The Barb is an Arab, but an Arab is not neces- 

 sarily a Barb. In the early creation of the English 

 thoroughbred it was discovered that the blood of the 

 ^Eastern Horse ' produced speed with endurance as 



52 



