"An Arab had a blood mare. There was a dispute beforehand as to what her foal would be. So when she was on the point of foaling he invited all his friends to be present. The head first of all came in sight—it bore a star. The Arab rejoiced. His horse would one day, outstrip the dawn, for he had the mark on his forehead. Next appeared the near forefoot, when the owner in ecstasy demanded one hundred douros for the foal. The off forefoot then showed itself with a stocking, and the price was reduced to fifty douros. After that came the near hindfoot. It also had a stocking, and the Arab overjoyed, swore that he would not part with his foal for the whole world. But lo! the fourth foot presents itself likewise with a stocking, when the dweller in the Sahara cast the animal out, in his fury, on the refuse-heap, unable to bring himself to keep such a brute."
A horse has forty white Tufts, of which twenty eight are generally considered as being of neither good nor bad omen, while to the remaining twelve a certain influence is attributed. It is agreed on all hands to regard six of these as augmenting riches and bringing good fortune, and the other six as causing ruin and adversity.
The tufts of good omen are:
The tuft that is between the two ears, nekhlet el aâdar, "the tuft of the head stall": such a horse is swift in the race.
The tuft that grows on the lateral surface of the neck, sebâa enneby, "the finger of the Prophet": the owner will die like a good Mussulman in his bed.
The tuft of the Sultan, nekhlet essoultan. It runs along the whole length of the neck, following the tracheal artery: love, riches, and prosperity. The horse that bear this offers up three prayers every day:
"Allah grant that my master may look upon me as the most precious possession he has in the world!"
"May Allah give unto him a happy lot, so that mine may benefit by it!"
"May Allah grant unto him the happiness of dying a martyr upon my back!"
The tuft on the chest, zeradya, fills the tent with plunder.