An Arabian Romance

Arabians have a captivating background full of legends, myths and a rich history. It is one of the things that makes the breed such a treasure. One of the most intriguing myths is that of the Al Khamsa, or, The Five. The Al Khamsa is thought to be the Original group of mares responsible for the foundation of the Arabian breed. The origin of these mares is arguably a myth, as there is no objective historical way to prove this. Arabians are one of the oldest breeds in existence, and their lineage can be traced back to desert breeding.

In the beginning of Arabian selective breeding and registry, there was no particular breed standard, mainly breed characteristics/temperament traits, rather than physical appearance. It was necessary for the Arabian to have specific characteristics in order to survive in the harsh desert climates. The tight knit bond between horse and human was imperative. The horses had to rely on humans for food, water and shelter. Mares were held at a higher value over stallions due to quietness while executing specific war moves and a more mild temperament. Loyalty, soundness, stamina, courage, and willingness were all necessary for this coexistence, and the highly valued horses were often brought into the tents with the families to protect them from thievery and the harsh climate.

The exact location of origin is still not stapled down, but certain hypothesis suggest the Arabian mainly originated along the northern edge of the Fertile Crescent. Others suggest it was the southwestern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. The Bedouin people are considered the first to domesticate and breed Arabians, and they held these horses to a god-like standard and treasured them above many material possessions.

 
Legend tells of a group of Bedouin boys who go out into the desert as a test of their manhood. The boys come across a group of what was considered sacred, untouchable mares. The boys spent many days and nights in the desert attempting to capture a mare of their own. They were sure that by capturing one of these sacred mares that they would become highly respected and gain celebrity amongst their people. After many attempts to trap the mares in gullies or forcefully manage them, the boys learned that they were going to have to work with the mares and create a connection and a bond in order to gain their trust. They were going to have to respect them if they were going to get anywhere near them. These Bedouin boys successfully captured five mares of their own, proudly riding them back into their village feeling like kings.

 
The mythology of the five mares varies in its tale, especially the mares’ origin and how they came to be. As one story goes, the boys gifted the mares to King Solomon, who added these mares to his treasured group of horses. King Solomon saw the value in these mares and decided to put them to the ultimate test. After several days in the desert with no food or water, King Solomon released his herd of mares to a nearby watering hole. As the mares were approaching the water, King Solomon blew his war horn just as they were about to finally reach for a drink. Only five mares lifted their heads and returned at the sound of the horn, faithfully upholding their loyalty. These mares were then appointed to be the foundation breeding stock of King Solomon, and considered the beginning foundation of the Arabian breed.

 
These five mares made up the original five “strains” of Arabians and can be found in written records. Around 2% of the Arabian breed can be traced directly back to these strains – the Keheilan, Seglawi, Abeyan, Hamdani and Hadban. They are the “Al Khamsa” Arabians, and there are groups today that strive to protect this legendary heritage. In the beginning stages of selective breeding of Arabians, Bedouins used oral tradition, swearing oaths of the purity of the horses. Later, written records were made, and eventually, the Arabian registry was created and soon horses were being exported to different countries, some for pure Arabian breeding, and some were exported to incorporate into other breeds for improvement.

 
The Arabian breed and its history is fascinating, and the mythology surrounding its origin is rich in romanticism. Arabians are thought to date back somewhere around 1800-2000 BCE, and even though the breed standards have definitely changed, there are still characteristics that can be contributed to their desert heritage, including their remarkable loyalty and connectedness with humans. Paintings and stories of these mares are abundant while tracing back through Arabian history. Whether the mares’ origin is fact or fiction, the historically acclaimed characteristics of the breed are still prominent in the modern day Arabian. Undeniable stamina, strength, loyalty, soundness of mind and body, beauty and good nature are continued in today’s breeding standards.

Author:
Jessica Murray

For The Love Of The Horse

Having a passion for horses is one of the craziest loves one can experience. If you’ve ever had a conversation with a truly “horse crazy” person, I’m sure you’ve heard them talk about how it’s just “in their blood.” This is an unexplainable force that we feel we’ve been born with and it simply never goes away. Throughout childhood, we’re trotting around the living room “snorting” or wrapping our legs in make-shift polos, or possibly stacking pillows in the middle of the hallway creating that Olympic level jump. If a child is born into a family that has never had horses, and they find themselves with this “bug”, it can seem to sprout from nowhere, and parents may be left wondering where it came from. The truth is, no one knows, but it’s there and it’s real.

However one may grow up, whether it’s in the heart of a city or deep in the country, the love for horses can seem to spring out of nowhere. One thing is for sure, being around horses is great for kids. If you ever find your child using hair ties for halters on their toy horses, or watching Black Beauty on repeat, you may have a horse crazy child on your hands. I would like to encourage parents not to ignore this in their children and to not disregard it as fantasy. The dangers of discouraging your child’s passion for horses creates a paradigm that can cripple their ambition to chase after their other dreams and goals in life. As with any natural-born passion, a love for horses can grow into an amazing life-long journey, and should never be denied to anyone.

The amazing thing about introducing horses into your child’s life is that it can be something they can continue doing throughout adulthood. High school activities are great and not to discourage them at all, but most often, those activities are put to an end after they graduate. It’s true with horses as well that kids often put horses aside to go off to college, but later on, they tend to find themselves gravitating back to horses in their adult lives. The “families” created in the horse community can be some of the strongest bonds they will experience.

Competing with horses teaches children the value of team work and dedication. This means being consistent with weekly lessons, daily barn chores and committing to learning and working with your horse. It means getting up at 5am at a horse show to get you and your horse ready for an early morning class and being able to be focused when you hit the ring. Competition also teaches children how to lose, and lose with dignity and sportsmanship, even when you give it your all, and how to bounce back and keep going.

Experiencing the bond between horse and human can help children develop better connections with others, boost confidence, learn responsibility, build a good work ethic and also face and work through disappointments. Having to communicate with a large animal without many words helps develop a control of one’s internal energy. We have to be in tune with our horses because they aren’t able to tell us when they don’t feel well or when something is wrong. Because horses are herd animals, this type of care for another being creates a tight emotional bond, and a horse will see you as their “herd” or family and look to you for leadership and safety. Horses are very sensitive to our emotions and energy, and in order to work as a team, a person must be able to manage their energy levels when communicating with their partner. This is an extremely valuable skill that will help children and teens in every aspect of their lives.

Horses are the best listeners, and for a struggling teen, they can provide comfort when they feel no one else can understand. Focusing on a specific goal with their horse can also provide a great outlet and channel for their energy. Horses can teach us empathy, and we have to be in tune with their behavior, often setting our own worries aside. There’s no surprise that horses are often used in therapy for the mentally disabled, troubled teens, war vets and more. Horses do not judge, they do not hold grudges (okay, maybe there are some mares that might be an exception… [hehe]), and they don’t care what you look like. When you show a horse love and respect, they will love you back unconditionally, and, with proper education and training, will do anything you ask of them.

So parents, if you find yourself with a horse crazy child on your hands, don’t ignore it. The benefits of raising your kids with horses will be something they will carry with them throughout their entire lives. Horses are often looked at as an expensive hobby, but there are ways to involve your children with horses on a shoestring budget (trust me, I know from personal experience). The first step is talking to the right people and getting some education. There are plenty of barns that are willing to give lessons to children in exchange for barn chores. If horse ownership isn’t something you’re ready to jump into, there are options to lease horses, or find a barn that already has lesson horses where you don’t have to have your own horse. There, you can learn about horse care, expose your children to different disciplines and find out if it’s something you and your child wish to commit to. You’ve heard it before – where there is a will, there is a way.

Arabians are among the most personable and willing breeds. They are also one of the most versatile breeds, making them a great choice for anyone, especially “newbies”. Arabian Horse Exchange is a perfect avenue for those looking to explore the world of Arabian horses. If your child is horse crazy, get them involved and give them the gift of the love of a horse. You won’t regret it.

Author:
Jessica Murray