Nothing would excite me more as a young girl than to sit and listen to my father and his fellow horse owners share stories about all of their equine-related experiences over the years. I was a child in awe!
I don’t know if that ever goes away because today I never tire of kibitzing for hours on end with fellow horse lovers in the very same way. Horse tales are so romantic and colorful to me and are a big part of my fascination with the Arabian.
Over the years I have spoken with historians and experts about the Egyptian Arabians. The recorded bloodlines and details of this breed go back to a time before written word, with stories shared generation to generation. To the Bedouins of the northern deserts of Africa and the Middle East, they were life and blood, and determined family wealth.
The mares and foals actually slept inside the families’ tents to keep them from being stolen. They pillowed the heads of children, who slept up against them for warmth. The Bedouins used the mares as their war horses because the stallions were too noisy and would give them away.
There are five strains of the Egyptian Arab, with legendary qualities attributed to each. Whether folklore or fact, they thrill me.
The Saqlawi is noted for its great speed and fineness and is thus prominent on the track of Arabian horse racing.
The Kuhaylans are bigger chested and more muscled; they are very strong and known to be high kickers.
The original female representing the Hadbans had a mane and forelock so long one could not see her eyes or neck, so they are recognized for this trait.
The Dahmans, dating back to the herds of King Solomon’s stables, are noted for their dark skin, with eyes that appear to be lined with kohl. My mare is of this strain.
Last, but by far, not the least is the Abayyan, which means cloak—and this is my favorite story.
A tribesman was riding his most treasured mare in battle and he had to flee for his life. To ease the burden of his precious beast and afford her more speed, he threw off his tribal cloak. When they returned to their tent unscathed, lo and behold, he discovered that his mare had thrown her tail high in order to save his prized and valuable tribal colors all the way home. Thus, the Abayyan, my favorite strain, are known for their high head and tail carriage as they gallop, snorting and blowing.
The horse world is filled with so many amazing breeds and preferences among those of us privileged to have equine charges in our lives. I have to admit that whenever I look upon a certain breed or type or color of horse, I find myself saying, “Oh, these are the most beautiful, or the most fascinating, or the most talented!” But when I stroke my Sha-Tali’s forelock, I hear the old Arab proverb, “It is a privilege and an honor to touch the forelock of the mare.”