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| '''"Al Khamsa"''' is a designation applied to specific desert-bred bloodlines of the ] considered particularly "pure" by Arabian ], who sometimes also describe such lines with by use of the Arabic word ''asil'', meaning "pure". | '''"Al Khamsa"''' is a designation applied to specific desert-bred bloodlines of the ] considered particularly "pure" by Arabian ], who sometimes also describe such lines with by use of the Arabic word ''asil'', meaning "pure". | ||
| ''Al Khamsa'' roughly translates as 'The Five'. It refers to a mythical group of ] that were the legendary founders of the Arabian breed. While some breeders claim these mares really existed, there is no objective, historical way to verify such a claim. The modern definition of an Arabian as ''Al Khamsa'' usually refers to a horse that can be verified in every line of its pedigree to trace to specific named desert-bred Arabians with documentation that their breeding was attested to by a ] seller who had sworn a formal oath (generally invoking Allah) that the animal was '']'' or pure of blood. This standard is only met by approximately two percent of all ] Arabians today. Such horses included the desert-bred imports of the ], the imports from Syria of ], many of the horses imported from Egypt that were originally bred by ], ], ], or the ] and its successor organizations, and other desert-bred horses obtained throughout the Middle East by buyers such as ] who were familiar with bloodlines and the formal sales procedures of the Bedouin to properly document animals of ''Asil'' bloodlines. | ''Al Khamsa'' roughly translates as 'The Five'. It refers to a mythical group of ] that were the legendary founders of the Arabian breed. While some breeders claim these mares really existed, there is no objective, historical way to verify such a claim. | ||
| The modern definition of an Arabian as ''Al Khamsa'' usually refers to a horse that can be verified in every line of its pedigree to trace to specific named desert-bred Arabians with documentation that their breeding was attested to by a ] seller who had sworn a formal oath (generally invoking Allah) that the animal was '']'' or pure of blood. This standard is only met by approximately two percent of all ] Arabians today. Such horses included the desert-bred imports of the ], the imports from Syria of ], many of the horses imported from Egypt that were originally bred by ], ], ], or the ] and its successor organizations, and other desert-bred horses obtained throughout the Middle East by buyers such as ] who were familiar with bloodlines and the formal sales procedures of the Bedouin to properly document animals of ''Asil'' bloodlines. | |||
| ==The Legend== | ==The Legend== | ||
| The legend of '''Al Khamsa''' refers to the five favorite horses of ]. While there are several variants on the tale, a common version states that after a long journey through the desert, Muhammad turned his herd of horses loose at an oasis for a desperately needed drink of water. Before the herd reached the water, Muhammad blew his battle horn for the horses to return to she. Only five mares responded. Because they faithfully returned to their master, though desperate with thirst, these mares became his favorites and were called ''Al Khamsa,'' and became the legendary founders of the five "strains" of the Arabian horse.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.alkhamsa.org/site/legends.html |title= Al Khamsa The Five |access-date=2008-05-29 |author = Al Khamsa |work= History and Legends |publisher=Al Khamsa, Inc. |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080418081554/http://www.alkhamsa.org/site/legends.html |archive-date = 2008-04-18}}</ref><ref name=Archer92>Archer, ''Arabian Horse'', pp. 92–93</ref> Although the ''Al Khamsa'' are generally considered fictional horses of legend,<ref name="Upton12">{{cite book |author =Upton, Peter |editor=Amirsadeghi, Hossein |others=Rik van Lent, photographer. |title=Arabians |publisher=First Chronicle Books|location=Lincoln |orig-year=1998|year=2006 |isbn=0-8118-5401-9}}, p. 12</ref> some breeders today claim the modern Bedouin Arabian actually descended from these mares.<ref>{{cite book |author =Schofler, Patti |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VV9S-jqaIpsC |title=Flight Without Wings: The Arabian Horse and the Show World|publisher=Globe Pequot|year=2006 |isbn=1-59228-800-6}}, pp. 3–4</ref> Modern horses that can trace all of their bloodlines to documented Bedouin strains are collectively known as "Al Khamsa Arabians".<ref>Staffa, Kelsa. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529162811/http://www.culturemagazine.ca/culture/qfire_in_the_heartq_the_al_khamsa_arabian.html |date=2013-05-29 }}, ''(Cult)ure Magazine'', December 15, 2010. Accessed June 23, 2011.</ref> | The legend of '''Al Khamsa''' refers to the five favorite horses of ]. While there are several variants on the tale, a common version states that after a long journey through the desert, Muhammad turned his herd of horses loose at an oasis for a desperately needed drink of water. Before the herd reached the water, Muhammad blew his battle horn for the horses to return to she. Only five mares responded. Because they faithfully returned to their master, though desperate with thirst, these mares became his favorites and were called ''Al Khamsa,'' and became the legendary founders of the five "strains" of the Arabian horse.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.alkhamsa.org/site/legends.html |title= Al Khamsa The Five |access-date=2008-05-29 |author = Al Khamsa |work= History and Legends |publisher=Al Khamsa, Inc. |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080418081554/http://www.alkhamsa.org/site/legends.html |archive-date = 2008-04-18}}</ref><ref name=Archer92>Archer, ''Arabian Horse'', pp. 92–93</ref> Although the ''Al Khamsa'' are generally considered fictional horses of legend,<ref name="Upton12">{{cite book |author =Upton, Peter |editor=Amirsadeghi, Hossein |others=Rik van Lent, photographer. |title=Arabians |publisher=First Chronicle Books|location=Lincoln |orig-year=1998|year=2006 |isbn=0-8118-5401-9}}, p. 12</ref> some breeders today claim the modern Bedouin Arabian actually descended from these mares.<ref>{{cite book |author =Schofler, Patti |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VV9S-jqaIpsC |title=Flight Without Wings: The Arabian Horse and the Show World|publisher=Globe Pequot|year=2006 |isbn=1-59228-800-6}}, pp. 3–4</ref> Each strain was said to be transmitted through the dam line.<ref>{{Harvtxt|Schofler|2006|p=10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Głażewska |first=Iwona |date=2010 |title=Speculations on the origin of the Arabian horse breed |url=https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2009.12.009 |journal=Livestock Science |volume=129 |issue=1–3 |pages=49–55 |doi=10.1016/j.livsci.2009.12.009}}</ref> | ||
| Modern horses that can trace all of their bloodlines to documented Bedouin strains are collectively known as "Al Khamsa Arabians".<ref>Staffa, Kelsa. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529162811/http://www.culturemagazine.ca/culture/qfire_in_the_heartq_the_al_khamsa_arabian.html |date=2013-05-29 }}, ''(Cult)ure Magazine'', December 15, 2010. Accessed June 23, 2011.</ref> | |||
| ==Strains== | ==Strains== | ||
| Over time, the Bedouin developed several sub-types or ''strains'' of Arabian horse, each with unique characteristics,<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.alkhamsa.org/education/education/the-bedouin-horse.html| title= The Horse of the Bedouin| work= The Bedouin Horse| publisher= Al Khamsa Organization| access-date= 2010-11-21| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101119191913/http://alkhamsa.org/education/education/the-bedouin-horse.html| archive-date= 2010-11-19| url-status= dead}}</ref> and traced through the maternal line only.<ref name=Perfection104>Derry ''Bred for Perfection'' pp. 104–105</ref> The five primary strains, attributed to have descended from the ''Al Khamsa'' were known as the Keheilan, ], Abeyan or Obeyan, Hamdani, and Hadban or Hedban.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianhorses.org/education/education_history_bedouin.asp |title=Horse of the Desert Bedouin |access-date=2006-04-25 |author=Arabian Horse Association |work=Arabian Horse History & Heritage |publisher=Arabian Horse Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060422024720/http://www.arabianhorses.org/education/education_history_bedouin.asp |archive-date=22 April 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ], a promoter and writer about Arabian horses from the middle of the 20th century, held the belief that there were only three strains, Kehilan, Seglawi and Muniqi or Maanagi. Raswan felt that these strains represented body "types" of the breed, with the Kehilan being "masculine", the Seglawi being "feminine" and the Muniqi being "speedy".<ref>Archer, ''Arabian Horse'', p. 92</ref> There were also lesser strains, sub-strains, and regional variations in strain names.<ref name=Forbis274>Forbis ''Classic Arabian Horse'' pp. 274–289</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alkhamsa.org/education/education/the-bedouin-horse/asil.html |title=The Bedouin Concept of Asil |work=The Bedouin Horse |publisher=Al Khamsa Organization |access-date=2010-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119192335/http://alkhamsa.org/education/education/the-bedouin-horse/asil.html |archive-date=2010-11-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Purity of bloodline was very important to the Bedouin, and they also believed in ], believing if a mare was ever bred to a stallion of "impure" blood, the mare herself and all future offspring would be "contaminated" by the stallion and hence no longer ''Asil.''<ref name="GBE">{{cite book |author =Edwards, Gladys Brown. |title=The Arabian: War Horse to Show Horse | edition=Revised Collector's|publisher=Rich Publishing, Inc. |location= Covina, California|year=1973 }} p. 22</ref> | Over time, the Bedouin developed several sub-types or ''strains'' of Arabian horse, each with unique characteristics,<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.alkhamsa.org/education/education/the-bedouin-horse.html| title= The Horse of the Bedouin| work= The Bedouin Horse| publisher= Al Khamsa Organization| access-date= 2010-11-21| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101119191913/http://alkhamsa.org/education/education/the-bedouin-horse.html| archive-date= 2010-11-19| url-status= dead}}</ref> and traced through the maternal line only.<ref name=Perfection104>Derry ''Bred for Perfection'' pp. 104–105</ref> The five primary strains, attributed to have descended from the ''Al Khamsa'' were known as the Keheilan, ], Abeyan or Obeyan, Hamdani, and Hadban or Hedban.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianhorses.org/education/education_history_bedouin.asp |title=Horse of the Desert Bedouin |access-date=2006-04-25 |author=Arabian Horse Association |work=Arabian Horse History & Heritage |publisher=Arabian Horse Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060422024720/http://www.arabianhorses.org/education/education_history_bedouin.asp |archive-date=22 April 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ], a promoter and writer about Arabian horses from the middle of the 20th century, held the belief that there were only three strains, Kehilan, Seglawi and Muniqi or Maanagi. Raswan felt that these strains represented body "types" of the breed, with the Kehilan being "masculine", the Seglawi being "feminine" and the Muniqi being "speedy".<ref>Archer, ''Arabian Horse'', p. 92</ref> There were also lesser strains, sub-strains, and regional variations in strain names.<ref name=Forbis274>Forbis ''Classic Arabian Horse'' pp. 274–289</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alkhamsa.org/education/education/the-bedouin-horse/asil.html |title=The Bedouin Concept of Asil |work=The Bedouin Horse |publisher=Al Khamsa Organization |access-date=2010-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119192335/http://alkhamsa.org/education/education/the-bedouin-horse/asil.html |archive-date=2010-11-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Purity of bloodline was very important to the Bedouin, and they also believed in ], believing if a mare was ever bred to a stallion of "impure" blood, the mare herself and all future offspring would be "contaminated" by the stallion and hence no longer ''Asil.''<ref name="GBE">{{cite book |author =Edwards, Gladys Brown. |title=The Arabian: War Horse to Show Horse | edition=Revised Collector's|publisher=Rich Publishing, Inc. |location= Covina, California|year=1973 }} p. 22</ref> | ||
| ===Keheilan=== | ===Keheilan=== | ||
| The ''' |
The '''Keheilan''' or '''Koheilan''' (]: كحيلان, ''kuḥaylān'') is described as tall and strong. The Koheilan line was widely exported to Central and Eastern Europe, as well as to Russia, where it influenced numerous breeds such as the Najd and ]. It had a significant influence on Polish-bred Arabians. According to Bedouin legends described by Rzewuski, "Koheyléh" was one of the five ]s who returned when ] called to her.<ref name=":4">{{Harvtxt|Homéric|2012|p=320}}</ref> He is said to have smeared her eyes with ], hence the name "Koheilan".<ref name=":4" /> | ||
| According to Bedouin legends described by Rzewuski, "Koheyléh" was one of the five ]s who returned despite their thirst when ] called to her.<ref name=":4">{{Harvtxt|Homéric|2012|p=320}}</ref> He is said to have smeared her eyes with ], hence their name and that of their offspring, "Koheilan".<ref name=":4" /> | |||
| There are variations in the transcription of the Arabic كحيلان: ''Keheilan''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Keheilan/Saudi Arabia |url=https://fao-dadis-breed-detail.firebaseapp.com/?country=Saudi%20Arabia&specie=Horse&breed=Keheilan |access-date=24 November 2016 |website=DAD-IS}}</ref> ''Kehilan'' and ''Kuhailan'',<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Lynghaug |first=Fran |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=myQBSVVEhagC |title=The Official Horse Breeds Standards Guide : The Complete Guide to the Standards of All North American Equine Breed Associations |publisher=MBI Publishing Company LLC |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-61673-171-7 |pages=672}}</ref> ''Kocheilan'' and ''Najdi Kocheilan'',<ref name=":2">{{Harvtxt|Homéric|2012|p=319}}</ref> the latter transcription stemming from the origin of these horses, among the Bedouins settled in the Najd heights of central Saudi Arabia.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=CNRS |title=Techniques & culture |publisher=Éditions de la Maison des sciences de l'homme |year=2003 |pages=192 |language=fr}}</ref> According to Éphrem Houël, the most common French names for the line are: ''kahel'', ''kahejle'', ''kailhan'', ''koheilan'', and finally ''kochlani''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Houël |first=Éphrem |title=Histoire du cheval chez tous les peuples de la terre: depuis les temps les plus anciens jusqu'à nos jours |publisher=Bureau du Journal des Haras |pages=606 |language=fr}}</ref> | There are variations in the transcription of the Arabic كحيلان: ''Keheilan''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Keheilan/Saudi Arabia |url=https://fao-dadis-breed-detail.firebaseapp.com/?country=Saudi%20Arabia&specie=Horse&breed=Keheilan |access-date=24 November 2016 |website=DAD-IS}}</ref> ''Kehilan'' and ''Kuhailan'',<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Lynghaug |first=Fran |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=myQBSVVEhagC |title=The Official Horse Breeds Standards Guide : The Complete Guide to the Standards of All North American Equine Breed Associations |publisher=MBI Publishing Company LLC |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-61673-171-7 |pages=672}}</ref> ''Kocheilan'' and ''Najdi Kocheilan'',<ref name=":2">{{Harvtxt|Homéric|2012|p=319}}</ref> the latter transcription stemming from the origin of these horses, among the Bedouins settled in the Najd heights of central Saudi Arabia.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=CNRS |title=Techniques & culture |publisher=Éditions de la Maison des sciences de l'homme |year=2003 |pages=192 |language=fr}}</ref> According to Éphrem Houël, the most common French names for the line are: ''kahel'', ''kahejle'', ''kailhan'', ''koheilan'', and finally ''kochlani''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Houël |first=Éphrem |title=Histoire du cheval chez tous les peuples de la terre: depuis les temps les plus anciens jusqu'à nos jours |publisher=Bureau du Journal des Haras |pages=606 |language=fr}}</ref> | ||
| The lineage was documented by the Ottoman traveller ] in the 17th century, who reported that in 1648–1650, the ] bred Koheilan (among other bloodlines) in imperial herds, and supplied them with grass, ], and the finest grain.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Çelebi |first=Evliya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kQpWAAAAcAAJ&q=Koheilan |title=Narrative of Travels in Europe, Asia and Africa in the 17th Century |date=1846 |publisher=Oriental Translation Fund, Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland |volume=1 |pages=256}}</ref> Among 20,000 ]s, he cites cavalrymen riding "Kuheilan" horses.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Zertal |first1=Adam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XytzCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA65 |title=The Manasseh Hill Country Survey |last2=Mirkam |first2=Nivi |publisher=BRILL |year=2016 |isbn=978-9004312302 |series=Culture and History of the Ancient Near East |pages=614}}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| Polish count ] in the 18th century provided a detailed description. He held the horses of the Arabian ] in the highest esteem, and acquired them for his ]s. wrote a treatise in French during his expedition to the Bedouins of Arabia's Najd, from 1817 to 1819. In it, he proposed a "grading table for horse blood".<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Lizet |first=Bernadette |date=2004 |title=Le cheval arabe du Nejd et le système des races orientales dans le manuscrit de Wenceslas Severyn Rzewuski |url=http://sciencepress.mnhn.fr/sites/default/files/articles/pdf/az2004n1a6.pdf |journal=Anthropozoologica |language=fr |volume=39 |issue=1 |pages=79–97}}</ref> According to him, the hottest breed, "all blood and fire", is that of the "Bedouin Najdi Kocheilan of the Schamalieh and Hediazet deserts".<ref>{{Harvtxt|Rzewuski|2002|p=628}}</ref> | |||
| Rzewuski described the Koheilan as "unquestionably the noblest horse in the world and often even the most beautiful. His breed is the purest, the most proven. It has never been mixed".<ref>{{Harvtxt|Subhi|2017|p=93}}</ref> His notebook also includes numerous linguistic notes on the Arabic language,<ref>{{Harvtxt|Subhi|2017|p=99}}</ref> and ten pages of genealogical lists of these horses.<ref>{{Harvtxt|Subhi|2017|pp=100, 101}}</ref> Among other things, he writes that "these horses are Najdi because they were born in the deserts of the Najd, and Kocheilan because they have the requisite black eye qualities".<ref>{{Harvtxt|Subhi|2017|p=94}}</ref> He also describes Bedouin traditions of horse capture and exchange, with horses captured on caravans (nakisat) being resold to other tribes, informing them of the animals' name and breed, which Rzewuski describes as "a custom of courtesy and respect for the purity of Najdi Kocheilan blood".<ref name="Rzewuski 2002 469">{{Harvtxt|Rzewuski|2002|p=469}}</ref> Defining the breed by controlling genealogy and climate, he naturally places the horses he imports and breeds himself in his stud farms at the top of the blood classification he has established.<ref name=":5" /> | |||
| Roger D. Upton (1873) believes that the ], originally from the ] region, was a Koheilan-Ras-El-Fedawi<ref>{{Cite book |last=Upton |first=Roger |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kzkCAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA36 |title=Newmarket & Arabia: An Examination of the Descent of Racers and Coursers |date=1873 |publisher=Henry S. King |pages=211}}</ref> However, this is a minority view and controversial, with others believing the stallion belonged to the Muniqi lineage).<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Johnson |first1=Virginia |title=Virginia Horse Racing: Triumphs of the Turf |last2=Crookshanks |first2=Barbara |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |year=2008 |isbn=978-1625843920 |pages=160}}</ref> In the 19th century, the name "Koheilan" was given to the horses of the ].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Journal des haras, chasses, et courses de chevaux, des progrès des sciences zooïatriques et de médecine comparée |publisher=Parent |volume=7 |pages=293 |language=fr}}</ref> | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 04:19, 2 April 2024
For the organization for a specific group of Arabian horses, see Al Khamsa (organization)."Al Khamsa" is a designation applied to specific desert-bred bloodlines of the Arabian horse considered particularly "pure" by Arabian horse breeders, who sometimes also describe such lines with by use of the Arabic word asil, meaning "pure".
Al Khamsa roughly translates as 'The Five'. It refers to a mythical group of foundation mares that were the legendary founders of the Arabian breed. While some breeders claim these mares really existed, there is no objective, historical way to verify such a claim.
The modern definition of an Arabian as Al Khamsa usually refers to a horse that can be verified in every line of its pedigree to trace to specific named desert-bred Arabians with documentation that their breeding was attested to by a Bedouin seller who had sworn a formal oath (generally invoking Allah) that the animal was asil or pure of blood. This standard is only met by approximately two percent of all registered Arabians today. Such horses included the desert-bred imports of the Crabbet Arabian Stud, the imports from Syria of Homer Davenport, many of the horses imported from Egypt that were originally bred by Muhammad Ali of Egypt, Abbas Pasha, Ali Pasha Sherif, or the Royal Agricultural Society and its successor organizations, and other desert-bred horses obtained throughout the Middle East by buyers such as Carl Raswan who were familiar with bloodlines and the formal sales procedures of the Bedouin to properly document animals of Asil bloodlines.
The Legend
The legend of Al Khamsa refers to the five favorite horses of Muhammad. While there are several variants on the tale, a common version states that after a long journey through the desert, Muhammad turned his herd of horses loose at an oasis for a desperately needed drink of water. Before the herd reached the water, Muhammad blew his battle horn for the horses to return to she. Only five mares responded. Because they faithfully returned to their master, though desperate with thirst, these mares became his favorites and were called Al Khamsa, and became the legendary founders of the five "strains" of the Arabian horse. Although the Al Khamsa are generally considered fictional horses of legend, some breeders today claim the modern Bedouin Arabian actually descended from these mares. Each strain was said to be transmitted through the dam line.
Modern horses that can trace all of their bloodlines to documented Bedouin strains are collectively known as "Al Khamsa Arabians".
Strains
Over time, the Bedouin developed several sub-types or strains of Arabian horse, each with unique characteristics, and traced through the maternal line only. The five primary strains, attributed to have descended from the Al Khamsa were known as the Keheilan, Seglawi, Abeyan or Obeyan, Hamdani, and Hadban or Hedban. Carl Raswan, a promoter and writer about Arabian horses from the middle of the 20th century, held the belief that there were only three strains, Kehilan, Seglawi and Muniqi or Maanagi. Raswan felt that these strains represented body "types" of the breed, with the Kehilan being "masculine", the Seglawi being "feminine" and the Muniqi being "speedy". There were also lesser strains, sub-strains, and regional variations in strain names. Purity of bloodline was very important to the Bedouin, and they also believed in telegony, believing if a mare was ever bred to a stallion of "impure" blood, the mare herself and all future offspring would be "contaminated" by the stallion and hence no longer Asil.
Keheilan
The Keheilan or Koheilan (Arabic: كحيلان, kuḥaylān) is described as tall and strong. The Koheilan line was widely exported to Central and Eastern Europe, as well as to Russia, where it influenced numerous breeds such as the Najd and Tersk. It had a significant influence on Polish-bred Arabians. According to Bedouin legends described by Rzewuski, "Koheyléh" was one of the five mares who returned when Muhammad called to her. He is said to have smeared her eyes with kohl, hence the name "Koheilan".
There are variations in the transcription of the Arabic كحيلان: Keheilan Kehilan and Kuhailan, Kocheilan and Najdi Kocheilan, the latter transcription stemming from the origin of these horses, among the Bedouins settled in the Najd heights of central Saudi Arabia. According to Éphrem Houël, the most common French names for the line are: kahel, kahejle, kailhan, koheilan, and finally kochlani.
The lineage was documented by the Ottoman traveller Evliya Çelebi in the 17th century, who reported that in 1648–1650, the Ottoman Empire bred Koheilan (among other bloodlines) in imperial herds, and supplied them with grass, clover, and the finest grain. Among 20,000 musketeers, he cites cavalrymen riding "Kuheilan" horses.
Polish count Wacław Seweryn Rzewuski in the 18th century provided a detailed description. He held the horses of the Arabian Najd in the highest esteem, and acquired them for his stud farms. wrote a treatise in French during his expedition to the Bedouins of Arabia's Najd, from 1817 to 1819. In it, he proposed a "grading table for horse blood". According to him, the hottest breed, "all blood and fire", is that of the "Bedouin Najdi Kocheilan of the Schamalieh and Hediazet deserts".
Rzewuski described the Koheilan as "unquestionably the noblest horse in the world and often even the most beautiful. His breed is the purest, the most proven. It has never been mixed". His notebook also includes numerous linguistic notes on the Arabic language, and ten pages of genealogical lists of these horses. Among other things, he writes that "these horses are Najdi because they were born in the deserts of the Najd, and Kocheilan because they have the requisite black eye qualities". He also describes Bedouin traditions of horse capture and exchange, with horses captured on caravans (nakisat) being resold to other tribes, informing them of the animals' name and breed, which Rzewuski describes as "a custom of courtesy and respect for the purity of Najdi Kocheilan blood". Defining the breed by controlling genealogy and climate, he naturally places the horses he imports and breeds himself in his stud farms at the top of the blood classification he has established.
Roger D. Upton (1873) believes that the Darley Arabian horse, originally from the Aleppo region, was a Koheilan-Ras-El-Fedawi However, this is a minority view and controversial, with others believing the stallion belonged to the Muniqi lineage). In the 19th century, the name "Koheilan" was given to the horses of the Syrian Desert.
References
- Al Khamsa. "Al Khamsa The Five". History and Legends. Al Khamsa, Inc. Archived from the original on 2008-04-18. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
- Archer, Arabian Horse, pp. 92–93
- Upton, Peter (2006) . Amirsadeghi, Hossein (ed.). Arabians. Rik van Lent, photographer. Lincoln: First Chronicle Books. ISBN 0-8118-5401-9., p. 12
- Schofler, Patti (2006). Flight Without Wings: The Arabian Horse and the Show World. Globe Pequot. ISBN 1-59228-800-6., pp. 3–4
- Schofler (2006, p. 10) harvtxt error: no target: CITEREFSchofler2006 (help)
- Głażewska, Iwona (2010). "Speculations on the origin of the Arabian horse breed". Livestock Science. 129 (1–3): 49–55. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2009.12.009.
- Staffa, Kelsa. Fire in the Heart: The Al Khamsa Arabian Archived 2013-05-29 at the Wayback Machine, (Cult)ure Magazine, December 15, 2010. Accessed June 23, 2011.
- "The Horse of the Bedouin". The Bedouin Horse. Al Khamsa Organization. Archived from the original on 2010-11-19. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
- Derry Bred for Perfection pp. 104–105
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