REMARKS BY THE EMIR ABD-EL-KADER.
The horse the most esteemed is a black one with a star on his forehead and white spots on his feet. Then comes the blood-bay, and after that the dark chestnut. Horses of other coats are placed on the same line with the exception of the piebald, with which the Arabs will have nothing to do.
The Prophet has said: "If thou wouldst go to the war, purchase a horse with a star on the forehead and stockings on all his legs with the exception of the right forefoot."
A horse with white feet, his off foreleg being alone of the colour of his coat, resembles a man who carries himself gracefully in walking, with the sleeve of his cloak floating in the air.
The Prophet has said: "If I were to gather together in one spot all the horses of the Arabs, and make them race against one another, it is the chestnut that would outstrip the rest."
According to the traditions of our Lord Mohammed the black horse is superior in the beauty of its mould and in its moral qualities, but the chestnut in fleetness. The Arabs have a saying: "If thou hast a chestnut, bring him along. If thou hast only a sorry chestnut, still bring him."
In a spacious arena constructed for races, cast thy eyes over the assemblage of noble coursers.
Thou wilt see the one who, arriving the first at the goal, has removed his master's anxieties.
Then the second who followed close at hand;—they both reached the goal without slackening their speed.
Every horse of noble race fascinates the eyes and rivets the gaze of the enthusiastic spectator.