( '72 )
and artificial grasses are cultivated in Bukhara and on the banks of the Oxus ; and, when procurable, always used in a dry state. The stalk of the jerwarree, which is as thick as a walking stick, and contains much saccharine juice, is a more favorite food. The long intervals between the times of baiting inures these horses to great privations; the supply of water allowed is also most scanty. Before a Toorkman undertakes a foray or chupao, he trains, or, to use his own words, " cools his horse," with as much patience and care as the most experienced jockey of the turf, and the animal is sweated down with a nicety which is perhaps unknown to these characters. After lone, abstinence from food, the horse is smartly exercised and then led to water. If he drinks freely, it is a sign that his fat has not been sufficiently brought down, and he is starved and galloped about till he gives this required and indispensable proof. A Toorkrnan waters his horse when heated, and then scampers about with speed to mix the water and raise it to the temperature of the animals body. Under this treatment the flesh of their horses becomes firm, and their bottom is incredible; I have had authentic accounts of their performing a journey of 600 miles in seven and even six days. Speed is at all times looked on as an inferior quality to bottom.
"The breed of the Toorkman horse is of the purest kind; when the animal is overheated, or has performed great work, nature bursts a vein for it in the neck, which I did not credit till I had become an eye-witness of the fact.
" The Toorkmans cut their horses, as it is a popular belief among them that they are then more on the alert and undergo more fatigue than stallions. The Toorkmans believe their horses to be exceedingly nice in hearing, and will often trust to their steeds for the alarm of ari approaching enemy. I was particularly struck with the fine crests of the Toorkman horses ; and I heard, though I could not authenticate its truth by observation, that they are often confined in a stable with no other aperture than a window in the roof which teaches the animal to look up, and improves his carriage. The contrivance seems fitted for such an end. The finer horses of the Toorkmans are seldom sold, for their owners may be truly said to have as much regard for them as their children. It must not, however, be imagined that all the horses of Toorkestan are equally renowned, for as most persons beyond the Oxus have a mount of some kind, a great portion of them are very inferior animals.
" In Bukhara there are many Kazzak horses, a sturdy and little animal, with a shaggy coat and very long mane and tail, much and deservedly admired. They are brought from the deserts between Bokhara and Russia."
The Toorkman horse, as described by Burnes, may be considered a great rarity throughout the K6shghar territory. There are regular importations of horses from Andijan and Badukshan; these are of two distinct kinds, the Andijanee horse having, in comparison with the Badukshanee one, the more rounded form and the symmetry of the Arab breed ; while the Badukshanee horse is no doubt an inferior breed from the Toorkman stock. In every sense both breeds appear to turn out admirable hacks : they are hardy and enduring, and very bold and active, without possessing great speed. I cannot ascertain that there are any long priced horses in the possession of the Amir, or of any of the officials of his Court, and I doubt whether such are brought into the country. I have seen a very fair Badukshanee horse purchased for 13 tillahs : prices may run up to 30 tillahs or 40 tillahs, there being a slight preference for the Andijanee breed amongst the purchasers on account of association. The Andijanee horses, however, are rarely brought in as an article of trade apart.
With each kafila there will probably be a few horses which have been ridden by the merchants, which are offered for sale on arrival at K6shghar, or are presented to the Amir. From Badakshan, however, horses for sale are regularly brought over the passes. No foreign horse enters the country and finds its way to the market until after inspection by the Amir's officials, often by himself, and in Yarkand by the Dadkdwah ; he claims the right of pre-emption, and a good animal invariably finds its way into his stable, or is presented to one of the officers of his army.
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