178 THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD 
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ARAB MARES AND FOALS 
excrescence, resembling a huge black and flattened wart, on each hind leg just below the 
“hock,” or heel-joint. This excrescence is commonly known as the “chestnut.” Its function 
is unknown. A similar pair of “chestnuts” occurs on the inner side of the fore limb just 
above the wrist, or “knee,” as it is generally called. The “chestnuts” of the fore limb occur 
also in the asses, but not those of the hind limb. 
THE ARAB HORSE 
This magnificent and justly celebrated animal is chosen first for consideration because 
it is probably a direct descendant of an original wild breed—the Asiatic wild horse. How 
far back the domestication of this breed began will probably never be exactly known. Till 
the third century after Christ the Arabs were almost certainly camel-riders; but by the 
sixth century of our era we find them in possession of a breed of horses which they regarded 
with great reverence, and spoke of as an heritage from their forefathers. They were probably 
introduced from the Caucasus or Asia Minor. The Arab horse found its way into Europe, perhaps 
accompanied by an allied breed — the Barb — with the Arab invasion of Spain in the eighth and 
ninth centuries, leaving traces of its sojourn in the Andalusian and the French Limousin. But 
the great value of Arab blood was not appreciated till armour ceased to be used, the excessive 
weight of this demanding a horse of heavy build. 
The Arab does not appear to have been introduced into England till the seventeenth 
century; but the result of that introduction, as we shall see presently, has been fraught with 
tremendous consequences. In its native land it appears to have been bred chiefly for the 
purposes of warfare. The success with which the breeders’ judicious selection has been 
rewarded is plainly seen in the wonderful powers of endurance on long marches; so that, at 
the end of a raid, the animal is still fresh enough either for flight, if necessary, or for a final 
rush on a retreating enemy. Besides, Arabs possess great courage, and are frugal both in the 
matter of food and drink. 
