Page:A General History of Quadrupeds.djvu/24

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HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS.

THE ARABIAN HORSE.

There is scarcely an Arabian, how poor soever in other respects, but is possessed of his Horse, which he considers as an invaluable treasure. Having no other dwelling but a tent, the Arabian and his Horse live upon the most equal terms: His wife and family, his mare and her foal, generally lie indiscriminately together; whilst the little children frequently climb without fear upon the body of the inoffensive animal, which permits them to play with and caress it without injury. The Arabs never beat their Horses; they speak to, and seem to hold friendly intercourse with them; they never whip them; and seldom, but in cases of necessity, make use of the spur. Their agility in leaping is wonderful; and if the rider happen to fall, they are so tractable as to stand still in the midst of the most rapid career.—The Arabian Horses, in general less than the Race-Horses of this country, are easy and graceful in their motions, and rather inclined to leanness.—It is worthy of remark, that, instead of