NATURAL HISTORY OF ARABIA. 



nish leather ; but they have no pommels, instead of which 

 they make use of stitched felt. The stirrups are very 

 short, with flat square bottoms and sharp-pointed cor- 

 ners, which answer the purpose of spurs ; the slightest 

 touch makes the animal fly like the wind, while the 

 rider bears himself upon the stirrups that he may use his 

 lance with greater vigour. The Nejed Bedouins have 

 no other saddles than a stuffed sheep-skin ; they all ride 

 without stirrups or bridles, guiding the horse merely with 

 a halter. This is nowise surprising, when the extreme 

 docility of the animal is considered, without vice of any 

 kind, and more the friend and companion than the slave 

 of his master. When not employed in war or travelling 

 they loiter about the tents, often going over heaps of chil- 

 dren lying on the ground, and carefully picking their 

 steps lest they should hurt them. They allow them- 

 selves to be kissed and toyed with, or hugged round the 

 neck, without doing the smallest injury. The different 

 colours of Arabian horses are clear bay (ahmar}, brown 

 bay (adhem), sorrel (asJiekwar), white (abiad), pure 

 gray (azrek), mottled gray (raktha), bluish gray (aM- 

 dar), black (udheni], and dark chestnut (ulmar muh- 

 ruti) : black and light bays (aswad and ashehaV) are un- 

 known in Arabia, and only found in Persia, Tartary, and 

 Turkey. 



In general these animals are of a middle size, of a slender 

 delicate shape, light and active, rather lean than fat, but 

 of surprising swiftness, and accustomed to the fatigue of 

 long marches. They have small ears, little belly, and a 

 short scanty tail. They are almost invariably free from 

 apparent deformities, and so gentle that women or chil- 

 dren may manage them. The physical qualities which 

 the Arabs prize most in this animal are the foDowing : 

 Neck long and arched, head small, ears tapering and 

 almost meeting at the points, eyes large and full of fire, 

 lower jaw thin, muzzle bare, wide nostrils, belly 

 not too broad, sinewy legs, pasterns short and flexi- 

 ble, hoofs hard and ample, chest broad, rump high 

 and rounded. Whenever the three beauties of head, 

 neck, and rump, are found combined, the horse is consi- 

 dered as perfect. There are several particular marks or 

 natural signs which the Arabs regard as sinister and un-. 

 favourable ; while others are esteemed the reverse, and 

 capable of producing happiness to the owner. They 



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