Comments on: Even more Assyrian horses

By: Yatima

Yatima — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:05:51 +0000

Oh oh oh oh! I just got a copy of Henry Wynmalen’s “Equitation” from 1938, and here’s a quote from the first page:

…the art of horsemanship already flourished in Asia, where notably the Assyrians and Babylonians were horsemen of no mean ability. Convincing proof thereof may be seen in the British Museum, where one of the stone-carvings recovered from Nimrod’s palace at Nineveh, shows the King out hunting. He appears to sit his horse, a real blood-type, well proportioned and with a small and beautiful head, with consummate ease and elegance, and he seems able, notwithstanding the speed of a full-stretch gallop, to let his arrow fly at the quarry… And that is, as far as I am aware, our first historical record of horse-riding…”

By: Tzviah Idan

Tzviah Idan — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:52:55 +0000

Bruce, Liked your comment about the similarity to these freizes with Shagyas. Since I’ve seen a number of them at Babolna, must admit there is something in what you say. Fascinating observation.
With best wishes,
Tzviah

By: Bruce Peek

Bruce Peek — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:04:54 +0000

If it is permitted to put in an addendum- These assyrian wall panel horses look like shagyas to me…Especially an American shagya stallion named Budapest, whose dam Biala- the last shagya bred by the Poles- has a coupling exactly like that of the Craver Bred Kuhaylan stallion Mandarin CF..As to their necks being short- well maybe, however they are set on rather high. And also keep in mind that these fairly life like panels are of horses in the era of about 800 BC- 350 horse generations ago. Most horse breeders in most cultures have tried to breed longer necks, set on higher because such a neck helps the horse to balance under a rider better. And so by now 3300 years later the usual run of horses have significantly longer necks than these Assyrians do. This has been taken to extremes here in the U.S. with some breeds whose necks sometimes are overly long to the point that they are no longer functional.
Best wishes
Bruce Peek

By: Bruce Peek

Bruce Peek — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 08:38:12 +0000

Well ya know if you look at the famous picture of Hamra as a two year old that Davenport took, you see an asil stallion with hindquarters to rival these two. Also Haleb was of similarly stout build. So its not as if there aren’t lines in the Asils which have substance at least similar to these guys.
But Edouard your point is very well taken. If you go to a show you’ll see a lot of ,’elegant weeds,’ and a few sturdy strong horses.
Best wishes
Bruce Peek

By: Jeanne Craver

Jeanne Craver — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:43:42 +0000

I agree; I don’t think they are the same as the Bedouin horse we love, but it is fascinating to see that there are some characteristics in common showing in this ancient artwork. If these horses were recreated, they would probably be more worthwhile than many breeds we have today.

Just not at the expense of our Bedouin Arabians!

By: Omar ANBARGI

Omar ANBARGI — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:10:43 +0000

For sure it would be interesting to breed horses like the Assyrian horses on the wall panels , but , we have to think carefully before taking such a big strategic design , should we try to breed horses with shorter nicks than we have now ? smaller in size ( as they really look small and short ? do we breed horses for the same reasons they used to breed for ? and we have to answer the big question , why would we do so , I think it is interesting and after a serious talk I could be part of ” getting the Assyrian horses back ”

Kindest regards
Omar ANBARGI

By: Jeanne Craver

Jeanne Craver — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:28:46 +0000

They are “stepping under” pretty well, too! Might have done well in dressage. Three-circle conformation for sure.