Another Rabdan stallion in 2019
This Rabdan stallion’s name is Jurnass. He is the most noteworthy Syrian stallion of the last couple years. His current owner is Dham al-Ahmad al-Daham al-Hadi al-Farhan al-Jarba, Sheikh of the Shammar.
A few years ago, some Syrian Bedouins started started mating Rabdan stallions from Tai marbats, probably because they are so handsome. It was not the case before. Breeders from the cities followed suit.
This new trend started with the very handsome Zayn al-Khayl (Ghaseeb x Raghdanah), who was used heavily across Syria with excellent results. Those same breeders who used to deride Egyptian pashas for having mated Rabdans a hundred or so years ago (e.g., Rabdan al-Azrak, the sire of Ibn Rabdan) used Zayn al-Khayl in a heartbeat.
Amazing Edouard!
The strain seems to be very consistent for its look.
Can you tell us more about the strains now with the Tai?
Looks like they managed to keep a good number of them and I read their name often in the desertbred pedigrees.
In the 1990s, which is the period I know best, the Tai had the most variety in strains among Syrian tribes. Probably because few of them migrated to Saudi Arabia in the 60s to 80s. They took the horses of the other tribes.
Back then, the Tai had K. Armush, K. Shkayli, K. Dkhayran, K. Ibn Mizhir, K. Mimrah, K. Khallawi, K. Rishan, K. Rabdan, Jilfan, Saadan, Tuwayssan, Ghazalan, Mlayhan, K. Krushan, Shuwayman, Hamdani (many branches), Saqlawi (many branches of these), etc.
These horses are all of them so lovely. Also, look at the extent of the dark skin around Jurnass’s eyes – he must have such a fine coat on his face.
Do the Tai still have a great variety of strains?
Boy that Zayn al-Khayl looks like he could run and jump! Yet again I bemoan our lack of access here in the west to athletic cradle country asils.
best
Bruce Peek