I love to blog about Arabian horses, not only their beauty but their intelligence, and the way they relate to their owners. Lately I’ve been busy reading and noting details for book 3 of my ‘Daughters of the Wind’ series. I am half way through writing the story and after several stops and starts, I decided to familiarise myself with what I had written by typing it into my laptop. This is usually the time when I elaborate on the story; I pull out all my reference books searching for clarification on needed subjects. When reading “Asil Arabians II – The Noble Arabian Horses” I became side-tracked. Though I have read this book many times I came across a small piece about the Arabian horse’s character by Klynstra, Wustenadel. I love the story and thought many of you would too…
“My Nijmeh gave me an example of the courage a desert mare can possess. One evening we trotted along the edge of the forest. I rode her without any bit, only in a halter. The sun had set and it had become almost dark when we met with a group of soldiers. It was a whole platoon camouflaged for night training. I walked past them when suddenly they began to shout and clap their hands. Nijmeh became excited and started to amble about.
Their silly behaviour which for many a rider would have meant real danger made me angry, so I told the trouper what I thought of it. They just laughed at me. I intended to speak to the commander and turned the mare round. As I was furious, perhaps my aids came too abrupt. Nijmeh misunderstood me; she thought we were going to attack the infantry men and dashed forward.
She galloped right through the men and turned round like lightning. Some of them fell or took cover, arms clashed to the ground while Nijmeh already carried me away with the speed of an arrow. Some fifty metres away we turned round and saw the troopers, dumbfounded, stagger to their feet and meekly pick up their arms from the ground. Fortunately no none was injured by this attack of my brave little desert mare.”
Klynstra, Wustenadel
Asil Arabians II – The Noble Arabian Horse
Olms Press 1980
Photograph Greg Egan/Stavs Sorsha
3 Responses
Helouise Barry
Hi there Carmen. My Arabian is 5 years, and he is also everything to me. I wonder if you can help…the last 5months he get spooked for everything. I already got the vet out to check his back, mouth, eye’s. The vet said that my horse is just very naughty…can this be the case!!!.
I did enjoy the peace at the top.
Regards
Helouise
Polly J. Knoll
Perhaps your Arabian needs a little more exercise. He may be bored. Perhaps you have a place where he can run a little..or a lot. You could exercise him first on a longe line before you ride him so that some of the “naughty” energy is gone. Have you ever tried endurance riding? I’m guessing that he just needs more to do.
Carmel Rowley
Hello Polly, my darling mare Sorsha is a little past any consistent riding work these days and to be honest so am I.
She spends her days keeping her dam company in the paddock. Both are no longer young, like their owner:-) They are the last horses we have here at Pearsons View Arabians. Some days when they are in the top paddocks near the house (about twenty steps from my office window) Sorsha keeps an eye on what I’m doing. I do believe if she had the chance she would love to be inside with me. We bred her and enjoy her joy of life regardless of her moods.
As always it’s wonderful to have you commenting. I hope you are well. Kindest Carmel