THE HORSE, DIFFERENT BREEDS, ETC. Q^ 



beautifully coursed, is bony; the nostrils are wide; the, well-set ears 

 are small, while the eyes are large, promment and brilliant. The necu:, 

 vising beautifully from the shoulders, and well arched, is xery fine ; the 

 withers arc high and moderately thin ; the shoulder, inclining backward, 

 is perfect in form and position — muscular as well as finely shaped. Tho 

 body is light and narrow before ; but behind the arms the chest io 

 expanded and affords sufficient capacity for the lungs ; the hips, though 

 somcAvhat narrow, are well united to the back, and the quai*ters are 

 strong, muscular, and well set. The legs are small, flat, sinewy ; the 

 pasterns are oblique in their position ; the croup is high, while the tail is 

 set on mth considerable arch. The muscles of the arm, like those of 

 the ham, are full and strong. The bones of the leg are large in propor- 

 tion to the size, there being no superfluous fatty matter, but full, free, 

 strong, and clean tendons and suspensory ligaments. The hocks are 

 large, ])ut free from both curbs and spavins ; while the feet are small and 

 sound. The elbow joint is prominent but fine, and generally plays clear 

 of the body. 



Especially does the Arab differ from other breeds in the superior 

 fineness of his muzzle ; the somewhat hollowed but graceful face ; the 

 fully developed jaws that yet give no impression of heaviness ; the beau- 

 tifulh^ pricked and exquisite shape of the ear ; the conspicuous neatness 

 of the leg beloAV the knee ; and the beautiful make of the hind quarters. 

 The fleetest among them are also noted for a straight-dropped hind leg, 

 which is always regarded as a good point. A true Arabian has been 

 described as "looking the gentleman all over, with a bearing as statel;^ 

 as that of an autocrat." 



In spirit he is as noble as in his physical formation. Though kind and 

 docile when mth his native master, he is sensitive and full of spirit, and 

 when excited is so indomitable that he would run or pull to the death 

 rather than yield. With a cruel master he is apt to become in a measuro 

 ungovernable ; but his intelligence is such that proper treatment will soou 

 win his confidence and remove a vicious habit. 



His sagacity is as remarkable as his susceptibility to kind treatment. 

 Instances are not wanting in which his master, overcome by the heat of 

 the desert, and lost in a lethargic sleep, has been watched over by hu 

 faithful animal, and guarded from the approach of man and beast. 



The colors mostly prevalent among them are bay, gray, and chestnut. 

 Occasionally a black is found. 



He is not so swift as the best English, French, and American courser* 

 nor is it here that his great excellence must be sought. That arises from 

 a combination of qualities, to some of which the best of other breeds am 

 wholly strangers. 



