‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎208v] (423/722)

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called the Turkuman. These are from 14 hands and a half to 16 hands
high, have long legs and little hone under the knee, spare carcasses and
large heads. But what renders the Turkuman horses so valuable to the
natives is their size and extraordinary powers of supporting fatigue ; for
they have been known to travel nine hundred miles in eleven successive days.
The Arabian blood has also been introduced into this country; and some
of the horses that are bred in Dashtistan, in point of speed and symmetry,
emulate the most admired coursers of Najd. Their usual food is chopped
straw and barley. The bed is made of dung, which is dried and beaten into
powder, and regularly every morning exposed to the sun. No people are
fonder or take more care of their horses than, the Persians. They are
clothed with the greatest attention, according to the climate and season of
the year; and in the warm weather are put into the stable during the day,
but taken out at night. The horses here are not so subject to internal
disorders as in England; but their heels are invariably contracted, from the
badness of shoeing.
Next in estimation to the horses we may reckon the mules, which, with
asses and camels, constitute the only mode of conveyance in Persia. The
mules are small, but finely proportioned, and carry a great weight; and
those that are intended for the saddle are taught a delightful amble, which
carries the rider at the rate of 5 and 6 miles an hour. They seldom
tire, but must be well fed, and require as much food as a horse. The
camels of Khurasan are not inferior to those of Arabia. Both are here in use;
but the western parts of Persia are by far too mountainous for this animal.
Cow's and oxen are principally kept for the supply of the dairy and the
purposes of agriculture. Numerous flocks of sheep and goats cover the
plains; buffaloes are not common, and the asses are of very diminutive size.
Sheep are very abundant in Persia. The wealth of the wandering tribes
consists in the number of their flocks ; but they give no attention to the
improvement of the breed of this useful animal, which affords them food
and some of the most essential articles of their raiment. Though dogs be
deemed unclean by Muhammadans, the qualities of this faithful animal have
overcome every prejudice ; and we find them in Persia, as in other countries,
admitted to a companionship with man. They are chiefly cherished by the
wandering tribes. They watch their flocks, guard their tents, and aid them
in their field sports. Some of the dogs of this country, which are used in
the chase, may be deemed among the most beautiful of their species.
Sir Harford Jones remarks regarding the animals of Persia: “The
breed of man as an animal is far superior in Persia to the breed of
beasts. Amongst the former, a deformed or weak one is seldom seen;
amongst the latter, it is rare to see anything very much to be admired;
and of what there is of this sort much is brought from other countries,—
horses from Arabia and Turkumania, sheep and goats from Arabia and
Kurdistan. It must be confessed, however, that on the southern shores
of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. there is a superb breed of asses, by means of which
Persia is supplied with a magnificent breed of mules. As to their kine
and cattle, they are very indifferent and poor; but, until the bulk of
the nation values their flesh more than they do at present, I do not
apprehend any great improvement is likely to take place in breed. It is
curious to reflect on the pains which man takes to improve the breed, and
consequently the quality of the flesh of the animal on which he prefers to
feed. This perhaps is one reason why the sheep in Persia are generally so
good."”