THE SADDLE BREEDS OF HORSES 149 
a different character at different periods. The originals, 
called Turcoman, were probably offshoots from the pony 
types native to the mountainous districts of southern Asia. 
They were first reported in Turkestan, but became gen- 
erally distributed later in Turkish Asia and Persia; there 
are few horses in Turkey in Europe. These original ponies 
do not represent the Turk as he is referred to in recent 
times, however. Their type has been so completely modi- 
fied by the Arabians with which they have been crossed 
as to leave little evidence of their former characteristics. 
However, plain heads with Roman noses, ewe necks, light 
middles and long legs are still noticeable, and are charged 
to the Turcoman foundation. These modified Turkish 
horses are of fair size, bay, black or gray in color, with 
uniform white markings. In those parts of Turkey 
nearest the Arabian border, many pure Arabians are found. 
Captain Hayes reports that the horses in ordinary use in 
Turkish towns at the present time are small, hardy ani- 
mals, gray or bay in color, and are produced by Arabian 
stallions out of Kurdistan pony mares, the latter being 
similar to the Turcoman ponies already referred to, and 
typical of the horses indigenous to Turkey. Probably 
the best Turks, so-called, were not Turks at all, but Ara- 
bians or Barbs. 
Literature. — E. Daumas, The Horses of the Sahara, London 
(1863). 
Hunter Horse. Fig. 22. 
By W. C. Bacon 
179. The Hunter, as bred in America, cannot yet be 
called a breed of horses. The Irish Hunter, however, has 
been recognized as a distinct breed for a hundred years or 
