JOURNEY FROM HERAT TO ORENBURG. 253 



stands about fourteen-three. His name, " Choorlie," 

 was given by the Turkomans in consequence of a 

 large scar which he has over the knee of his near 

 fore-leg ; but in general their celebrated horses take 

 the name of their owners. The price of one of these 

 known and tried horses is about 1200 Company's 

 rupees (120), though of course there are some that 

 are not to be bought at any price. The Turkoman 

 mode of training is very different from that followed 

 by our racing characters. At one year and a half old 

 the tuition of the infant Childers commences ; a 

 child is placed on his back, who walks him about 

 slowly, at first a very short distance ; and when he 

 can masticate grain they give him a little barley or 

 jowari; the clothing is always very warm ; a great 

 deal of food is given in the twenty-four hours, but 

 very little at any one time, and but little water, but 

 the pace is never increased beyond a walk ; and when 

 not taking exercise he is either in the tent or close to 

 it, so that he becomes from his earliest days perfectly 

 domesticated and docile. At about three years and a 

 half old they commence training him for a trial, which 

 is but little different from his former training ; the 

 distances are gradually increased, but the pace does 

 not alter for many days. At length the poor beast, 

 not being able to walk over sufficient ground in the 

 day, is led about at night until his flesh is brought to 

 a consistency. If melons are procurable, he gets large 

 quantities of these in addition to his other food ; and at 



