he prophet Mohammed, in the seventh century AD, was instrumental in spreading the Arabian's influence around the world. He instructed his followers to look after Arabians and treat them with kindness. He instructed that special attentions should be paid to the mares because they insure the continuity of the breed.
he severe climate required the nomads to share food and water, and sometimes even their tents with their horses. As a result, Arabians developed a close affinity to man and a high intelligence.
The Creation of the Horse
When God was going to create the horse, he said to the south wind: From you I am going to create a being to the honour of my saints, to the humiliation on my enemies, as grace to those who obey my rules. The south wind said: Do so, my Lord! Then God took a handful of south wind and created the horse. He said: Your name be Arabian, good deeds be tied to your forelocks and prey to your back. I have favoured you first of all beasts of burden, I have made your master your friend. I have endowed you with the power to fly without wings, be it on attack or in retreat. On your back I shall place men who glorify me and rejoice in my praise.
A Matter of Honor
A Bedouin, named Jabal, possessed a mare of great celebrity. Hassad Pasha, the governor of Damascus, wished to buy the animal and repeatedly made the owner the most liberal offers, which Jabal steadily refused. Hassad Pasha then had recourse to threats, but with no better success. Finally Jafar, another Bedouin, managed to steal the mare for the governor. Before starting off with his prize he cried out: "I am Jafar! I have stolen your noble mare, and I give you notice in time." Ths warning, be it observed, was in accordance with the usual practice of the desert on such occasions. Poor Jabal, when he heard the words, rushed out of the tent and gave the alarm; then mounting his brother's mare and accompanied by some of his tribe, he pursued the robber for four hours. The brother's mare was of the same stock as Jabal's, but was not equal to her; nevertheless, she outstripped those of all the other pursuers, and was even on the point of overtaking the robber, when Jabal shouted to him, "Pinch her right ear, and give her a touch with the heel." Jafar did so, and away went the mare like lightning, speedily rendering all further pursuit hopeless. The pinch in the ear and the touch with the heel, were the secret signs by which Jabal had been used to urge the mare to her utmost speed. Jabal's comrades were amazed and indignant at this strange conduct; "O thou father of a jackass!" they cried, "thou hast helped the thief to rob thee of thy jewel!" But Jabal silenced their upbraidings by saying, "I would rather lose her than have her loose her honor. I couldn not allow that another horse proved fleeter than her. I have at least this comfort left me, I can say she never met with her match."
Springfield
Sidi-
panion, has said:'Love horses and look after them; for they deserve your tenderness; treat them as you do your children; nourish them as you do friends of the family, and blanket them with care. For the love of God, do not be negligent for you will regret it in this life and the next.'"
