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"The goods of this world, until the day of the last judgment, shall hang from the hair between the eyes of our horses...".
This legend recounted by the horsemen of Maknassi, a village in southern Tunisian, is popular in the Sahara, and the words of the Prophet on which it is based are an article of faith. |
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If you talk to a breeder of purebred Arabians, he will tell you :
“If you ride horses, abandon greyhounds, and if your buckles jingle, verses will leave your head”.
When you speak with a trainer of these noble horses, one who knows about the ancient nomads, he will talk to you about the young horse’s fiery quality, its beauty, and the importance of training;and he will pronounce this well-known adage :
"Feed a one-year-old colt well and sprains will be avoided. Ride it when it is two or three, until it is submissive. Feed it well between the ages of three and four. Then ride it again forever after". |
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| Forced by the advancing desert sand and pastures disappearing into the distance, the cavaliers of the Sahara had to cross the salty lakes and then the mountains, behind which lay the vast steppes. In the foothills, the cavalier pitched their horsehair tents, eventually building low, stone houses like fortresses.
Then they plowed the earth to grow barley and olive trees. Today, they lead sedentary lives and camels are no longer part of their herds. But no one has lost their atavistic love of the horse, especially their own horses, without which life would be inconceivable...
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| _________________________________________________________________ Extract from :
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Horses of the World
Through vivid and dramatic photographs and a lively impassioned text, this tunning book provides a unique look at horse-loving cultures around the world. Following a curiosity that led her to the four corner of the globe, author Jacqueline Ripart takes us on a spellbinding tour as she describes how horses are tamed and trained, pampered and paraded, raced and revered the world over.
She delves into the minds and hearts of these horsemen, revealing their commitment to their beloved steeds and sharing their pride in a bond as old as civilization.
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