Old Samhan al-Qumay’ mare in Syria
This old mare was at Mustapha al-Jabri’s farm near Aleppo, Syria in the mid-1990s, when I took this picture, and was brought there to be covered by one of his stallions. She was one of these unregistered tribal horses, and came from the Aqaydat tribe, from the area of al-Mayadin on the Euphrates. Her strain was Samhan Qumay’. This is the only mare I have ever seen from this strain in my entire life, and I don’t think I will see another one. The strain was owned by the Sba’ah Bedouins among others.
The Aqaydat of the Middle Euphrates area, who in the late 1800s and the early and mid 1900s were semi-nomadic sheep herders, and as such were much less mobile than the camel-breeding ‘Anazah Bedouins, would lease the elderly and the sick mares of the ‘Anazah, especially the Sba’ah, before these moved south towards Najd on their annual preregrinations. As a result of the most esteemed ‘Anazah strains found their way to ‘Aqaydat, including Ma’naqi Sbayli, ‘Ubayyan Sharrak, Hamdani Simri, and others.
This mare was never registered eventually. There was conflicting information about a male ancestor (“Nawwaq ‘Abu ‘Erneh) four generations back in her pedigree, so she was left out. The horse expert in the ‘Aqaydat tribal area, Shaker al-Salluh, vouched for her origin, however, and knew her well.
Picture from my restored computer photo database. 🙂
Dear Edouard Aldahhah,
Thank u very much for posting this. I have been looking for any sign of Samhan al-Qumay for more than 20 years. The Stud of My great grandfather 1840 have 9 mares of Samhah el-Qumeya, Jordan, and I am writing a book about this strain.
PLease, please, I need more info. on this and the address of people u have seen including Mustafa al-Jabri & Shaker al-Salluh.
I realy appreciate ur help
Professor Ihsan Mahasneh
00971-562139558
imahasneh@sharjah.ac.ae
Mustafa died last year unfortunately. Shaker al-Sallouh also died. Most of those who know about old horse bloodlines died.
Thank u Edouard, could u direct me from where I can buy some WAHO horses from Syria
Regards
There is plenty of them in the UAE if you live there. The Sheykhs bought them at high prices in the 1990s, and then switched to Egyptian horses, and gave the Syrian ones to their people. So if you look at the UAE studbook you will find plenty of Syrian horses there.
That is good to know. Perhaps a reservoir of the blood could be established there.