National Institute of Informatics - Digital Silk Road Project
Digital Archive of Toyo Bunko Rare Books

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 long 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
Toorkman 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
an 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 con-
fined 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 Káshghar 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 Káshghar, 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 Yárkand by the Dadkdwah; he claims the right of pre-emp-
tion, and a good animal invariably finds its way into his stable, or is presented to one of the
officers of his army.