TARTAR HORSES AND HORSEMEN.
The people of Toorkistan, or Independent Tartary, are splendid riders. They have fine horses, of which they take the greatest care. But their way of taking care of horses is very different from ours.
The saddles are never taken off, night or day; and many Tartars will not allow their horses to lie down at all because they say the corn settles in their legs, and makes them lame! They are walked about a great part of the time they are not on the road, sometimes for four or five hours after coming in. At the beginning of the day’s march they are allowed a full drink of water, but none during the day, while the sun is hot. On first coming in from a journey, they are walked up and down a long time, after which without being unsaddled, the bit is taken out, and they are tied up, and covered from head to tail with thick horse cloths, even in hot weather. Then they are fed with barley, and Indian corn, and a very little grass.
We would think it cruel to keep a horse saddled and tied up in this way, but the Tartar horses seem to thrive on this treatment. Their saddles are more comfortable for the horse than ours, being well raised above the back bone. These saddles are of wood, with a high peak in front; and the rich Tartars cover them with embroidered cloths, and silver mountings.
The horses are kept beautifully clean, and their coats are as smooth and glossy as satin. In order to test whether his horse has been properly groomed, the owner will wet the white sleeve of his shirt, and rub it upon the horse’s coat. If there is not the least mark on the sleeve he is satisfied.
The Tartars hunt birds on horseback, with great success. In the case of partridges they gallop after the birds until they run them down, and tire them out, when they can catch them alive.
TARTAR HORSES AND HORSEMEN.
TARTAR HORSES AND HORSEMEN.
TARTAR HORSES AND HORSEMEN.
They have several games which they play on horseback. In one of them the riders all try to get possession of each other’s turbans! This seems rather childish, but it is no child’s sport to accomplish this, and the players perform most surprising feats of horsemanship.
They also have wrestling matches on horseback, trying to dislodge one another from the saddle, while the horses are galloping furiously and jumping ditches.
I suppose it would be almost an impossibility for a horse to throw a Tartar rider.