In each of these there are said to be about one thousand mares and foals.

There is no part of the establishment of a monarch of Persia to which more attention is paid than his horses.

They are always placed under the care of an officer of high rank, who is styled Mir Akhor.
The Mir Akhor (Master of the Horse), Mohamed Hussein Mirza, a Prince of royal blood, shows by his intimate knowledge of the history of each horse, and the good condition of all and everything under his care, that he loves his charge well.

We were first shown the racing-stud, called _mal-i-shart_ (race-horses), thirteen in number, all in hard condition (the Persian expression is, 'as hard as marble'), and showing good bone and much muscle.

They were Arabs, but not all imported from Arabia, some being bred from pure stock in the late Shah's establishments.