Climate and terrain variation in the USA and its impact on horses
The dry, arid climate and terrain of the South Western USA are much closer to that of the steppes of Arabia than the wetter climate and more lush pastures of, say, the mid-Atlantic region or the plains of the Midwest.
I have observed that these drier conditions are resulting in Arabian horses that look much closer to the horses raised in Syria and Arabia, and to those raised in Namibia and the drier parts of South Africa. Drier skin, stronger, more solid bone, more visible tendons, and something different in the way the eyes shine that I cannot describe.
This observation is a central tenet of the writings of French master breeder Robert Mauvy, based on his empirical observations. I would like to read any scientific papers on the climate and terrain impact on horse phenotypes, if anyone knows of any.
The mare below, Roxana Star (Personic LF x Jauhar Al Khala by Sportin Life), a Kuhaylah Hayfiyah of Davenport bloodlines born in 2005, illustrates this observation. She is in the Southwestern USA, with Christine Emmert. Photos by Christine.
When I’m down-south in our beach-house in Malaga sipping a San Miguel with my feet in the sand, my eyes also shine differently than when I’m in wet, cold & cloudy Belgium. Every living creature with sufficient food & water will thrive better in a sunny dry climate (unless you’re a polar bear of husky of course)
yes what I am saying is not rocket science, but still it feels real when you witness it as opposed to hearing about it
Ask Kate M. about landrace characteristics. I’m almost positive she and I have discussed this before.
Yep, we have! And in the process we discovered that Cape Town was latitude buddies with Damascus, just in the south instead of the north. What is more, Bloemfontein, South Africa, has a latitude of 29º07’S, comparable to Kuwait City at 29º22’N; and Windhoek, Namibia, has a latitude of 22º34’S, which puts it midway between Riyadh (24º38’N) and Mecca (21º25’N). And the Central Plateau of South Africa is similar in altitude to the Hamad Plateau in Syria, and the Najd of Saudi Arabia. Environment does influence the characteristics of the horses bred and raised there.
Hi Edouard:
I recently purchased a copy of Count Waclaw Rzewuski’s Concerning Oriental Horses. He devotes a chapter to the impact that the climate and environment have on the Arab horse. However, he speaks throughout the book of the adverse effects of humidity upon the Arab horse. I find it interesting that here we are today, focused upon climate change in our world and this man was speaking about the impact of the climate in 1821. The annotations made by Andrew Steen are marvelous and help to clarify Rzewuski’s writing. I am finding many things that he states to be profound, enough that I am thinking about what I read for days and days. I strongly recommend the book to you. Andrew Steen is very responsive to email and shipped the book very quickly to me.
Thank you for this, and for your email. This is an important excerpt.
What you all seem to not take into account is what the horses in the southwest typically get for forage. I’m not saying that our Arabians wouldn’t do better in the Southwest deserts of the USA, I totally believe they would as far as climate goes. However, It is not just the climate. It is also the way the horses are raised, the diet of the dam during pregnancy and lactation, the diet of the growing horse and the amount of movement they receive.
I have envied those few who have enough property to allow the youngsters, not just foals but those who shouldn’t be ridden yet, to tag along on rides. THIS is fabulous for the developing Arabian.
I am curious as to what Christine feeds her horses.
BTW I cannot see the pictures. Not sure why.
Youngsters tagging along for rides with their dams is one of the main tenets of how Robert Mauvy, the French master breeder, suggested Arabian horses should be raised.
Jeannie:
1st-its been too long since I reached out to you. Hope you are having a great summer.
In the Rzewuski book, within chapter 4, the effect of air, water, nourishment & soil upon the Arab horse is discussed. He says, “Air, water and nourishment act upon the whole mass of the horse; the soil, only upon some parts of this noble friend of man. The configuration, layout and quality of the terrain also have an extraordinary influence upon the horse when they concur in perfecting certain parts of this animal and his habits; and upon which his education and his gaits depend.”
It is a fantastic book. I can’t say enough about it and this chapter is my favorite if all. Have read and re-read this chapter several times.
Yes, movement is so important for horses of all ages! I would love to be able to take the youngsters I’m training out on rides with my mare, but sadly, she’s a terrible pony horse, and it’s rather rude to let the babies trample the growing wheat, so I’m stuck with walking them in hand at the moment.
But that ability to develop heart and wind and bone density by walking and trotting and running up and down hills, over a variety of surfaces, and just getting miles and miles in while playing, is so very beneficial for young horses. In lieu of getting mileage being ponied, I resort to encouraging them to gallop around in their field once or twice a week, and it really does help them.
I also can’t see the photos; when I follow the links, Facebook spits back an error. Usually it’s safer to download the pics from FB and then upload them to WordPress to post.