12 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE 



Randolph Huntington of Long Island, New York, Peter Heyl of 

 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and J. A. P. Ramsdell of Newburg, New 

 York, have maintained notable Arab studs in recent years. 



A few notable Arab horses of pure breeding that have become 

 famous are the stallions Kismet, El Emir, Maidan, Kouch, Kars, 

 Shahwan, Cunningham, and Himyarite. The mares Haidee, 

 Keziah, Naomi, and Nazli are among the most important 

 modern females of the breed. 



The characteristics of the Arab horse. The head represents 

 very superior character and intelligence, the forehead being broad 

 and prominent, and the head tapering toward the nose more 

 than with other breeds. The nostrils are prominent, the eyes 

 fairly so, the ears delicate and pointing inward, and the general 

 head expression lean and representing high spirit. The neck is 

 of medium length and sustains the head most gracefully. Captain 

 Hayes states that the shoulders of the Arab slope well, though 

 from the saddle point of view they are often too thick, while the 

 withers incline to be rather low and broad. The body is fairly 

 short, and is usually deeply ribbed ; the back is well sustained, 

 and the loins are broad and muscular. The croup tends to be 

 high, sometimes making specimens of the breed appear higher 

 here than at the withers. The tail sets high and is carried with 

 style. The quarters are long and deep, but the gaskins and 

 hocks hardly equal those of the Thoroughbred. The legs and 

 feet are very superior. For his size the strengfth of the Arabian 

 horse is remarkable, this being due in part to large development 

 of muscle of loin and arm, whereby he becomes a superior bur- 

 den carrier. The Arab has a great constitution and extraordi- 

 nary staying power. He is not noted so much for speed as for 

 endurance, as he is not nearly the equal of the Thoroughbred 

 or American trotter for rapid speed. Yet the Arab will perform 

 long journeys across country with comparative ease, such as 

 require great staying power. In height the Arab ranges from 

 14 to 14^ hands, so that he stands at the boundary line between 

 pony and horse. Many of the most famous Arabs brought to 

 England were ponies. Esa bin Curtis, a large importer of Arabs 

 to Bombay, is credited with the statement that the best Arabs 

 did not, as a rule, exceed 14 hands i^ inches to 14^ hands high. 



