OF THE TUKF. 295 



joined, not abruptly, but to a curved extremity of the neck ; the 

 shoulders capacious, deep or counter, and destining considerably 

 into the waist ; the quarters deep, and the fore arms and thighs long, 

 large and muscular, with a considerable curve of the latter ; the 

 legs flat and clean, with the tendon or sinew large and distinct ; the 

 pasterns moderately long, the feet somewhat deep, the substance of 

 the hoof fine, like that of the deer ; in size not large, seldom ex- 

 ceeding or reaching the height of fifteen hands. 



It is in the mountainous country, among the Bedouin Arabs, that 

 the blood and characteristic properties of this species of the horse, 

 has been preserved pure and uncontaminated by any alien mixture 

 or cross, as they pretend, for more than two thousand years. 



It is well known that the English race horse was originally bred 

 from the Arabian, Barb, and Turkish stocks, and contains in his 

 veins nearly an equal admixture of the blood of each. The Bar- 

 bary horses were generally smaller than the Arabians, but carried 

 more depth of carcase. Their most prominent points are, ears 

 handsome and well placed ; forehand fine and long, and rising 

 boldjy out of the withers ; main and tail thinly haired ; with lean 

 small head ; withers fine and high, loins short and straight, flanks 

 and ribs round and full, with good sized barrel ; tail placed high ; 

 haunches strong and elastic ; thighs well turned ; legs clean ; si- 

 news detached from the shank ; pastern too long and binding ; 

 foot good and sound ; of all colours, but grey the most commoi>. 

 They are bred upon a similar soil and sprung from the desert like 

 the Arabians, of which they are generally deemed a variety. In 

 goodness of temper and docility these horses resemble the former, 

 and are said to be very sure footed ; generally cold tempered 

 and slow, requiring to be roused and animated, on which they 

 will discover great vigour, wind and speed, being in their gallop 

 great striders. 



The Turkish horses resembled the Barbs, and were said to be 

 handsome, elegantly formed, full of spirit, possessing fine hair, soft 

 skins, good speed, but more particularly remarkable for their un- 

 failing wind, enabling them to undergo much labour and fatigue. 



It is a curious physical question, that the Arabian, Barb, and 

 Turkish horses, should, only in particular individuals, have proved 

 valuable foal getters, and that these properties should be denied 

 to the generality of them, and that the whole of them should BO 

 soon be laid aside. Out of the vast number of these foreign horses 

 imported into England in early times, but very few of them estab- 

 lished their characters as the propagators of high formed racers ; 

 and it may be assumed as a fact, that for some more than half a 

 century past, not a solitary Arabian, Barb, or Turkish stallion has 

 been used in England ; or if used at all, were found to be utterly 

 Worthless. 



England soon discovered that from her fine climate and soil, she 

 had obtained in size, form and speed, every quality which the best 

 models of the original foreign breeding countries could afford to 

 her, it is true she had to resort to the Arabians and Barbs for a 

 foundation ; but as soo e.s the stock arising f/om them had been 

 sufficiently acclinal-d and diffused tlnough die country, she found 

 26* 



