Newmarket & Arabia

This book, first published in 1873, was written by Roger D. Upton (captain late 9th Royal Lancers) and describes both the influence of the Arab horse on the development of the English thoroughbred as well as many interesting aspects of the Arabian horse. Below are only a few interesting fragments of the book.

The silver Arab with his purple veins,
The true blood royal of his race. — Yule.

The Arabian is a horse of the highest courage, in stature about 14 hands 2 inches, a horse of length, power, and substance, combined with the elastic and the sinuous-like movement of the serpent. He is a very perfect animal ; he is not exaggerated — in some parts large ; meagre and diminished in others. There is a balance and harmony throughout his frame not seen in any other horse ; the quintessence of all good qualities in a compact form

Mr. Gififord Palgrave thus describes the Arab horses in the Iman's stables at Riad : 'Their stature was indeed somewhat low. I do not think that any came fully up to fifteen hands — fourteen appeared to me about their average ; but they were so exquisitely well shaped, that want of greater size seemed hardly, if at all, a defect. Remarkably full in the haunches, with a shoulder of a slope so elegant as to make one, in the words of an Arab poet, " go raving mad about it." A little, a very little, saddle-backed, just the curve which indicates springiness without any weakness ; a head broad above, and tapering down to a nose fine enough to verify the phrase of " drinking from a pint pot," did pint pots exist in Nejd ; a most intelligent and yet a singularly gentle look ; full ; sharp, thorn-like little car ; legs, fore and hind, that seemed as if made of hammered iron, so clean, and yet so well twisted with sinew ; a neat round hoof, just the requisite for hard ground ; the tail set-on, or rather thrown out, at a perfect arch ; coat smooth, shining, and light ; the mane long, but not overgrown nor heavy. Their appearance justified all reputation, all value, all poetry. But if asked what are, after all, the specially distinctive points of the Nejdee horse, I should reply, the slope of the shoulder, the extreme cleanness of the shank, and the full rounded haunch ; though every other part, too, has a perfection and a harmony unwitnessed (at least by my eyes) anywhere else. The peculiar obliquity of the shoulder-blade gave them an easy springy movement, which, combined with their splendid barrel, immense haunches, superbly set tail, delicate muzzle, and magnificent crest, made them the beau ideal of a horse.' ...

Much confusion exists with regard to Arab horses. This has arisen partly from the vast districts occupied and traversed by the Arabs, partly from the misapplication of terms and words. A man possessing an Arab horse says he is of such and such a breed, instead of saying, of such a family of the Arabian breed ; and therefore it has got about that there are upwards of a hundred different breeds of Arabian horses. It is not unfrequent to hear people speak of horses as Egyptian, Syrian, or Turkish Arabs. If it were intended to convey the idea that such horses were of pure Arab blood, only foaled or bought in those countries, they might be simply styled Arabs ; but as it really infers that they are not of pure Arabian blood they should simply be called Egyptian, etc. With the exception of horses sent as gifts very occasionally to the Sultan at Con-
stantinople, or the Viceroy in Egypt, let it be most distinctly understood there are no Arabians in Egypt or Turkey. The Arabian is not the horse of either country. The Egyptian is the degenerated horse of Egypt crossed with the horse of Dongola, the English horse, and also the Arab, and is as mixed as most European breeds.

The terms Nejed or Nejdee, and Anezah, as applied to Arabian horses, have led to much confusion and produced many doubts. It has been generally supposed they implied two separate breeds of horses, rival breeds by some, a superior and inferior by others, or that they were the horses of two great rival tribes. Some will tell you the Nejdee is the only' pure Arabian, others that the Anezeh is the best.

These doubts and conflicting statements have arisen, I do not doubt, from a want of knowledge of the country of Arabia, and correct information of its people and its horses. Nejed is the name of a country or district in Arabia ; but is neither the name of a breed of horses, nor of any particular tribe ; and probably that district discussed at the commencement of the first chapter, in which the horse was kept free from the causes of degeneracy which has befallen the horse in other parts of the world ; or, as Mr. Palgrave has aptly put it 'In Nejed is the true birthplace of the Arab steed — the primal type, the authentic model.'

Every horse bred in Nejed, or bred by any of the tribes of Nejed, may be called correctly a Nejdee, or a horse of Nejed ; not, I think, implying any difference in race and blood from an Anezah horse, but solely as a distinction from the horses of other tribes than those of Nejed, such as the Shammar, although they possess horses of the same blood as those in Nejed ; and most distinctly in opposition to all horses of mixed blood on the borders or outskirts of Arabia.

The horses of the Great Anezah and other Bedouin tribes of Nejed, of which there are several (Mr. Palgrave enumerates twelve), are essentially Nejdee horses. The Great Anezah is sub-divided into many families ; and from among them the Gomassa have, perhaps, the best horses in the known world. In describing a horse as an Anezah, or, still further, as a Gomassa, it is not implied that he is not Nejdean, but he is particularised as a Nejdean horse of the Great Anezah tribe, of the S'bah division of the Gomassa family ; in the same way as the English horse, Saunterer, for instance, in male descent, might be described of the Darley Arabian line, of the Waxy family, of the Birdcatcher branch. I am assured that many horses in the stables of the Imaun of the Wahabees have been obtained from the Bedouin, especially the Anezah, either purchased, or by tribute, or as gifts.' The blood in Nejed and among other Bedouin is the same.

I believe there is really but one breed of Arabian horses, although many families. There are five principal families, not breeds, derived from five celebrated mares. They are usually styled Seglawi, Keheilan, Abeyan, Hadban, and Hamdami. No allusion is intended to the tale of five mares ridden by Mohammed and his followers ; which I believe to be a European invention. The Arabian horse existed thousands of years before Mohammed's time ; besides, the Arabs say, as was before mentioned, that his one follower rode on a camel.

The Bedouin would scorn any horse or mare that could not be traced back to these five families. Certain specific adjuncts to these names indicate first-class animals, or the best specimens of the five families or varieties ; other specific names denote second-class animals ; and an absence of a distinguishing name to the generic, implies the animals are of the third class. The numerous divisions that have sprung from these ' As the Ibn Sawood, the ruling family of the Wahabees at Riad, is of Anezah origin, the first being a Sheik of the Sebaa, this may be the more readily received.

Five families have derived their names from their owners, from the events that made them famous, or from some personal quality: as Seglawi Jedran, from the name of the owner ; Keheilan-Abu-Argub (Father of Hocks), Abu-Jenub (Father of Flanks), and Keheilan-ras-el-Fedawi (The Headstrong). This was the family from whence came the renowned Darley Arabian. There is no crossing implied by breeding indiscriminately among the five famihes, the blood is identical, and the foal takes the name of the variety of the dam ; thus a colt or filly whose dam was a Seglawi, and whose sire was Keheilan, would be Seglawi. Animals of the first class are those only which are the produce of both horses and mares of the first class, nor will this alone suffice ; for if the colt or filly were possessed of any unlucky marks, or should they fail to come up to a certain standard, they are not considered first-class, are not allowed the specific adjunct of their dam, but drop into the third class, and retain their generic name only.

None but first-class horses are allowed for first-class mares, and when an inferior horse (not one of less pure blood) has through inadvertence or by accident covered
a mare of the first class, such a mare is herself lost to her class, and becomes of the second, as does her ofispring. This is how a second cla^s has been established. The most esteemed from the five families are Seglawi-Jedran, Keheilan-Adjuz, Abeyan - Sherrak, Hadban-Enzehi, and Hamdami-Simri. The varieties of the Keheilan are the most numerous, and many of them are first-class besides Keheilan-Adjuz, as, for instance, Maneghi-Hedrudj, Keheilan-Abu-Argub, Keheilan-Abu-Jenub, and Keheilan-ras-el-Fedawi.

The second-class Seglawi are Seglawi-Obeiran and Seglawi-Arjibi, formed, as before-mentioned, by accident. So there is one breed of Arabian horses, five distinguished families ; most of these divided into three classes. Many of the third class have their own specific adjuncts, and I have no doubt they would amount to over one hundred, but these are not separate breeds ; and although the blood is the same, one would naturally prefer animals of the select Arab class.

Arabian horses are to be found among most, if not all, of the Bedouin tribes, in greater or less numbers, and also among the resident population in Nejed, but would hardly be so numerous among the latter, as the nobles or wealthy only would possess them. The Imaun of the Wahabees, his sons and officers, have their separate studs.

The five different families of horses are also possessed indiscriminately by different Bedouin tribes, but all do not necessarily possess horses of each variety. The Shammar are principally located in Mesopotamia. The Mawali, a small tribe, are generally to be found between Aleppo, Palmyra, and Damascus ; the Wcldi on the borders of Mesopotamia ; the Weldi Ali always east of Damascus ; the Beni-Sachar and Salhaan east of Jerusalem, and on the banks of the Jordan ; some few smaller tribes have settled and taken to agriculture.

The Great Anezah, or Anezah proper, describe an annual circuit. Coming up from Nejed to near Aleppo in the spring they cross the desert to the Euphrates, and return into Nejed for the winter. They are the largest and most powerful of all tribes, and have by far the greatest number of horses. They are divided into several tribes, and these again into sections or subdivisions. The Fedan-Anezah has nine divisions : Mehed, the people of Jedaan (a well-known chief), Tooenis, Ajajara, Roas, Shmeilat, Griebat, Roaba, and Hrisa ; this last is, I believe, subdivided. Then there are Jelas, Roala, Seloot, Erfuddi, Shumlan, Hayaza, and Ibu-Haddal ; the Amarat, Magin, Serdyeh, Tiar, and Hesenneh. Last, but not the least important among the Anezah, is the Sebaa, with its seven divisions — Duam, Abideh, Ishhoieh, Mooeneh, Gomassa, Mooajeh, and
Beaieh. If not the most numerous, they have the reputation of being the wealthiest of all tribes, possessing enormous herds and flocks, and they can muster 12,000 horsemen.

The apparent discrepancy between this account and that which has been frequently asserted and generally accepted, is not difficult of explanation. Some writers have mentioned that there are upwards of one hundred breeds of Arabian horses, but it is generally supposed there are three distinct breeds ; the first pure, the second of mixed blood, and the third with no claim to gentle breeding, although, rather contradictorily, it is admitted a good deal of the choice blood is distributed among animals of that breed ; and, lastly, that the Nejdean horse is the best or of the highest type.

First, the numerous subdivisions which have been derived from the classes formed from the before-mentioned five celebrated families, and most of them with specific names, would account for the broad assertion that there are numerous breeds.

Secondly, the three classes, according to the nice discrimination of the Bedouin (although of the same blood), would explain the statement that there are three distinct breeds ; which statement, made in good faith, has nevertheless misled many, and caused much confusion; but only required a little further investigation to get at the bottom of it. The first, stated as pure, from the fact that, except through inadvertence, mares of the first class are never covered by any but accepted stallions of the first class. The second breed, mentioned as being of mixed blood, from the fact that mares of the second class are continually being put to horses of the first ; the mares often being sent long distances.

Thirdly, the rather contradictory description that the horses of the third breed have no claim to gentle breeding, although they have a good deal of choice blood distributed among them, is quite explained by the fact that the third class is made up from horses and mares of the first, which have failed in some requirements, and perhaps sometimes from no authentic notice having been taken of their birth, although of the same identical blood.

And fourthly, that the horses of Nejed are best, and reared in the remoter parts of the desert, from the very evident circumstance that the Anezah possess the greatest number, and the best horses in Arabia, and that they do come from Nejed, and that they are indeed a part of the population of Nejed, and when wandering, as a rule keep within the more remote parts of the desert, avoiding as far as possible all intercourse with the Turks, whom they dislike and despise.

Although representatives of the five families are distributed indiscriminately among the different tribes, it is necessary to know where to go for the best of each kind. Keheilans are to be found in all tribes. The Shammar in Mesopotamia have principally Hellawis, which are a third class of Keheilan. Of course there are some horses of the first class in their possession ; and these have not been overdrawn by Mr. Layard, for the celebrated Anezah sheik Jedaan rode a mare constantly, which had been given him by the Shammar sheik, because she was unsurpassed in speed and bottom, so that he might not fall into the hands of the Shammar — the two sheiks having been playmates in their boyhood's days. But the Shammar have a bad name. They have Kurds and Persians in their close proximity, who would always be ready to pass off an
animal of mixed breed as an Arab.

The number of first-class animals among small tribes, such as the Mowali, must necessarily be small. Formerly at feud with the Anezah, but latterly often on friendly terms with them, they might have an opportunity of acquiring horses, or of breeding from their first-class horses. The Fedan Anezah is a great fighting tribe, and use and consume a great number of horses. They have very fine horses, and some of these must sometimes fall into other hands ; their consumption in horseflesh is so great that they often have to buy from other tribes. The Roala and Ibu Haddal Anezah are well-horsed tribes ; but of all, the Sebaa Anezah is the tribe for horses, and of their seven subdivisions the Gomassa have the reputation of possessing the finest horses in the world. The Seglawi Jedran is found in its greatest perfection among the Gomassa. The Fedan Anezah possess also two families. The Gomassa have also the best Abeyans and the best Maneghi : this latter a first-class subdivision of the Keheilan.

Although horses of equal beauty and perfection are to be found in all five families, the Seglawi Jedran may be the favourite among Bedouin, and, perhaps, the most
famous.

As a hunter and war-horse the Arabian has been celebrated from all time. As a hunter, from when, in early time, he was employed to ride down the ostrich
and the wild ass in his native country, to the present day, when he carries the expatriated Englishman over the plains of Hindostan up to the haunches of the wild pig, faces the tiger, or, single-handed, gallops down the wild deer and antelope ; and, complying with the manners and customs of the age, becomes a steeplechaser and wins the Forbes Kadur Cup over a four-mile course, stated by an experienced steeplechase-rider to have been more difficult and severe than any country or course in England, which, in 1871, Jurham, the only Arab in the race, among a good field of horses, wins with ease, the Arabian has ever proved himself a horse of unmatched courage and endurance. The tall and heavy grass, said to be so difficult and exhausting for so small and light a horse to force his way through, and other difficulties in the course, proved to be rather destructive to the Arab's opponents, as Jurham had speed and bottom left in him, in the last half-mile of tolerably open ground, when called upon to shoot away from his horses and win easily.

The high courage, the suppleness, the spring and elasticity, the compact but developed form, and great muscular development of the Arabian must cause him to be the horse best adapted for a hunter.

These qualities render him also more desirable than any other horse as a sire for begetting half-bred stock, either for hunting or for the military service. A horse of pure blood is more likely to implant and stamp his own good points and qualities upon properly selected stock, and in a greater degree, than a horse of less pure blood, such as the so-called English thorough-bred horse; more especially, too, when the latter horse does not possess the combination of excellences of the former. In the hunting-field, whenever a horse has possessed any direct Arab blood, he has always shown himself an excellent and superior hunter. This was the opinion of no less a
udge than Davis, the late Royal Huntsman.

As a war-horse, from the days when he carried his relentless rider, as on a whirlwind, upon Job's possessions, when he carried conquests from his birthplace to the confines of China in the east and the Atlantic on the west, to the present time, when, in the East, he leads the charge of England's chivalry, he has ever shone pre-eminent.

In India, certainly the best field for our cavalry, as a charger the Arab has always maintained the highest position. The Arabian horse has done his share in the conquests of that country.

I am fully persuaded if horses for both cavalry and artillery were bred from suitable mares from Arab horses, a marked difference and superiority would be the result, and we might then truly boast of having the best cavalry in the world. The French had to discard the European horse when in Africa, and re-mount their cavalry on such horses of Arab blood as they could procure, and these carried a weight of twenty-five stone. Now, a horse that, in a country often rough and difficult, marches and gallops, ascends and descends, endures unparalleled privations, and goes through a campaign with spirit, with such a weight on his back, is he or is he not a war-horse? '

Abd-el-Kader has stated that an Arab horse can travel a distance of fifty English miles day after day, and this without fatigue, for three or four months ; and if required could accomplish 150 miles in one day, but should be carefully ridden the next, and only go a much shorter distance. Two instances recorded by General Daumas are worthy of consideration. On one occasion a young Arab, Si-Ben-Zyon, rode his father's mare eighty French leagues within twenty-four hours. She was watered only once, and had but eaten some leaves from the dwarf-palm while her rider had lain down by her side to sleep ; yet she was not done up, and, as Si-Ben Zyon said, was capable of still performing a further journey. The next : ' All the old ofificers ' (says General Daumas) ' of the Oran Division can state how, in 1837, a general, attaching the greatest importance to the receipt of intelligence from Tlemcem, gave his own charger (an Arab horse) to an Arab to go to procure the news. The latter set out from Chateau Neuf at 4 a.m., and returned at the same hour on the following day, having travelled seventy leagues (French) over ground very different from the comparatively level desert.' This latter confirms the former, and is a very valuable instance, as the distance had been measured, and was well known, and is sufficient warranty to induce belief in the reported great capabilities of the Arabian, which are but too often, in this country, regarded as only tales of the East and Oriental exaggerations. Moreover, the Arabs are just and true in their accounts and descriptions, although couched in language full of imagery. But are not we ourselves a very boastful people, and very reluctant to admit
excellence in others ?

In the ninety-mile match between an English thorough-bred horse and an Arab across the desert to Cairo, a few years ago, the former broke down badly ; the Arab came in alone, having accomplished the whole distance in 7 hours 52 minutes. There was but little difference in the weights at starting ; they appear to have carried 10 St. 81bs. and 10 st. respectively. On returning to weigh the rider of the Arab was some 5 lbs. under weight, and it is quite possible, had the rider of the English horse also weighed, it might have been found he had lost as much weight.

At Madras a match was made by an officer of Horse Artillery and some officers of the 15th Hussars (then disbelievers in the Arabian) ; the former was to ride his Arab horse, about 14 hands i inch, 400 miles in five days. The Arab won the match with ease, without distress, and was none the worse after the performance, and his owner offered to do it again after resting one day.

The complete book is available online Newmarket & Arabia : an examination of the descent of racers and coursers or can be bought in the various on-line bookshops like Amazon or Olms.

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