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APPENDIX.

scarcely necessary to add, that their manes and tails are seldom
touched; and it appears odd to an European eye, to see a horse,
dirty and rough, as if from a strawyard, brought out with a velvet
saddle, and with a bridle covered with golden embroidery and
fringes, and with tassels of the same material.4

Instead of the large Turkish saddle with Eastern stirrups, a
stuffed pad with a low round cantle, covered with black or with
red cloth, is generally used. It is furnished with smaller stirrups
shaped like those belonging to a hussar saddle, and with short
spurs on the inward sides. The bridles are of different patterns,
and are generally made of webbing. Over them headstalls are
put on, composed of a number of silver chains, and adorned with
small flat ornaments, particularly on the nosebands.

The Mamelukes were formerly no doubt well mounted, and
armed, and could ride well ; but I never saw a fine horseman in
these countries. Abou Gosh, (an Arab chief near Jerusalem),
and an old Mameluke at Cairo were the best. Some of them,
indeed, were well placed on the old Turkish saddle, (which is still
used by the Arabs, and is by no means an inconvenient equip-
ment), yet they had bad hands, turned entirely on the outside
rein, and the hand and the heel seldom, if ever, accorded. Skir-
mishing, and the exercise of thejereed, were not usually performed
with much address, although with considerable violence : and few
of their horses were really fast, although many of them were quick
in getting into their speed. When the colts belonging to the
Pacha's stable were occasionally exercised, they were suddenly
galloped for a short distance, and then stopped in the most vio-
lent, and awkward manner, without any regard to the action of
the horse, or to the momentary position of his legs, and there-
fore, with great danger to his joints. By application through
the consuls strangers can procure horses from these stables, and
the Pacha himself, and many of his officers were mounted from
them.

There were a number of remarkably fine mules at the same
place, which were employed in conveying provisions for the
troops.

The stud at Shoubrah was intended in some degree to supply

1 The Arabs are very particular in walking the horses about till they are
quite cool; they water generally once a-day, and feed in the mornings and
evenings, and indeed, from the intense heat of Eastern climates, the morning
and evening are the proper times for eating, for both man and beast.
 
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