Photo of the day: Sarkhah, desert-bred Kuhaylat al-Shuhayb from Saudi Arabia
Today is a happy day.
Over the past few days, a string of photos and videos has been coming from “Pure Man”, with awesome images of desert Arabian stallions. I mean, real desert Arabian horses. Born there, raised there. A delight to watch as they move and prance. “Where are the mares?” I thought.
Well, here they are. This is one of the most beautiful desert mares I have ever seen. Some months ago, I put in a list of my 10 ten favorite mares, a list that had taken years to coalesce in its present form. That was before I see this picture of Sarkhah (Qais a Suwayti x Sahwah a K. al-Shuhayb), a stunning Kuhaylat al-Shuhayb from Saudi Arabia. This mare instantly skyrocketed on top of my all time favorites. Wow.
I confess knowing close to nothing about the strain of Kuhaylat al-Shuhayb. I know that the late Saudi Arabian erudite Hamad al-Jasir, in his original Arabic edition of the Abbas Pasha Manuscript (the Khayr al-Din al-Zarakli copy, not the Gulsun Sherif copy; sorry to get so technical on you guys, but this matters) has dedicated many pages to Kuhaylat al-Shuhayb, or al-Shuhaybah. I never bothered to read the section on al-Shuhaybah, thinking the strain was now extinct. Little did I know. Now I can’t wait to go back home, and dig out what old Hamad had to say about this strain.
One more thing: when I saw this picture: I said to myself: I WANT this mare. Then I paused: where would it go? where would I board her? In the suburbs of Washington, DC? Would I ride her on the way to work? No. I don’t want that mare. She is better off where she is, in her native Arabia. Too many good horses have left Arabia. The descendents of some are coming back (not the right ones, if you want my honest opinion). If we like the sight and idea of a gorgeous (and real) Arabian horses in its cradle country, then we could only wish it stays there.
“Pure man”, you made my day. Baaraka Allahu Fik.
Thanks pure man for showing us this lovely mare.
I have visited many stables in Jeddah and I did not see a Saudi Asil mare with this quality. Also, I have met very few people in Jeddah that cared or understood about Asil Arabian horses. The most cared about breeding and owning a show horse. The stable manager at Alesayi is willing to invest in a million dollar halter show horse but not an Asil horse. I hope this kind of Asil horses will continue to flourish for many years to come.
Lovely!
What does Sakhah mean? When you get home and read the al-Shuhayb section, I hope you will share it with us.
Sarkhah mean “a cry” or “the one that shouts” among other meanings..
Hello Bassam H,
Good to hear from you. Do write from time to time, I feel you have a lot to contribute!
I know all the secrets and History of horses In Saudi Arabia and Bahrain
However, no one in Saudi Arabia Know secrets and History Only my and Prince Turki
Absolutely wonderful mare. Her structure is amazing – would choose her type for a desert trek.
Thanks for sharing.
Obviously I was not spelling correctly last night. I was asking about Sarkhah, not “Sakhah”! Sorry about that!
Gorgeous mare – I wouldn’t wish to change one thing about her.
Wait till you the other mares..
Bassam Said many stables in Jeddah
the people in Jeddah Most Them They are not Arabs They are a mix peoples of India and Pakistan and South East Asia people And Africa
They Do not know about Asil Arabian horses
Kuhaylat al-Shuhayb is the Mother and Sister All Old strains Bear all the characteristics of Kuhaylat al-Jellabi and Kuhaylat al-Krush and Saqlawit and Hadbat and Kuhaylat Umm Arqub and Kuhaylat umm Maarif
Look for this Information in your Books
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Pure man Said:
April 24th, 2009 7:22 pm
I know all the secrets and History of horses In Saudi Arabia and Bahrain
However, no one in Saudi Arabia Know secrets and History Only my and Prince Turki
Edouard,
It occurs to me that with Pure Man’s knowledge (and of secrets no less!) together you could write a fantastic book. Just how badly does the World Bank need you?