74 



TYPES AND BREEDS 



the Seglawi, " powerful and fast, but not particularly hand- 

 some"; the Abeyan, generally the handsomest but small, and 

 resembles the Thoroughbred least ; the Hamdaini; and the Had- 

 han. Collectively, the strains are termed Al Khamseli and are 

 extensively interbred. 



There is much confusion in this country concerning the char- 

 acteristic color of the Arab. Almost any odd color or marking, 

 such as pure white, piebald, skewbald, leprous or tiger spots, are 

 attributed to Arab blood. On the other hand, such significance 

 of aiiy of these coloi*s has been absolutely denied. As a matter of 

 fact, bay with w^hite markings is most characteristic, and, in the 



Fig. 63. — Arabian stallion, showing the general refinement characteristic of this breed. 



light of recent kn*Avle<lge concerning the origin of the Arab in 

 the Libyan horse, is most desirable. Grays are also common, 

 chestnuts and browns are not uncommon, wliile blacks and even 

 pure whites are found. It is true, too, that the whites usually 

 show the Kohl spots about the eyes, muzzle, and elsewhere. 

 AMiile the odd colors referred to as suggesting Arab breeding are 

 never found among pure bred Arabs, tliey are noted among their 

 half breeds, the piebalds and skewbalds, especially, occurring 

 with a considerable degree of uniformity when the common stock 

 of Upper Asia and Europe is crossed with Arab sires. This is 

 shown in the piebald ponies of Thibet, Sumatra, Iceland, the 



