CHAPTER II 



THE ARAB HORSE 



The influence of the Arab horse upon the improvement of the 

 present-day breeds is well recognized among students. As early 

 as the reign of King James I of England (1603- 162 5) Arab 

 horses were introduced into that country and crossed with light 

 horse stock. Between 1700 and 1800 many Oriental horses 

 found their way to England, and these had a most important 

 influence in improving 

 the Thoroughbred. The 

 so-called " Royal Mares " 

 imported by Charles II 

 (1660-1685) became 

 foundation stock in the 

 best of British light horse 

 blood, their descendants 

 reaching great distinc- 

 tion. From the Darley 

 Arabian imported in 1 706 

 is descended the best of 

 Hackney blood to-day. 

 According to Joseph Os- 

 borne, since the time of 

 James I one hundred and 

 sixty-four Oriental sires 

 of known record have 

 been taken to England 



Fig. 4. Shahwan, an Arab stallion bred by Ali 

 Pacha Sherif, of Egypt. Used in stud by 

 W. S. Blunt, Esq., England. Imported in 1895 

 by J. A. P. Ramsdell, Newburg, N.Y. Photo- 

 graph from Mr. Ramsdell 



and used in service. This list includes ninety Arabs, thirty-six 

 Barbs, thirty-two Turks, four Persians, and two horses of un- 

 known ancestry. Arab horses have also been used for centuries 

 in improving the horses of continental Europe, even up to the 

 draft type. Much of the quality produced in the early Percheron 



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