Bahrain Genetic Treasure

Genuine beauty, intelligence, hardiness and agility have been specific features of the pure-bred Arabian horses born and raised in the Arabian Gulf area for hundreds of years, with the Bahrain Peninsula being held as the most distinguished reservoir of the original breed. For a very long time the purity of this breed has been ensured by the dry environment of the desert regions where this precious blood has been jealously guarded through a highly selective breeding of specimens, the dominant qualities of whom have long been sought for strengthening the breeding base of plenty of farms around the world. All of the European missions have been thought out to acquire these extraordinary subjects. History tells us that nearly two centuries ago, the al-Khalifa family brought to Bahrain a good deal of *Oriental horses with pure blood, while a few anecdotes concern more specifically the famous war horses of Bahrain taking part in the local military action back in 1928. Because of their extraordinary beauty these horses were all grouped together at Haras Amiri, thus, confirming the beginning of the reign of al- Khalifa in terms of equine breeding. At the time, about twenty horses with the finest bloodlines were being bred on the Island, their legacy was for a long time maintained by the local herd of broodmares, of new born foals who systematically bore the name of their dam, whilst the stallions who were to serve the mares were chosen from the oldest bloodlines such like Kuheilah Aafas. Many scholars of the pure-bred Arabian horse are first and foremost concerned with the five primary strains: *Koheilah *Obeyah *Dhahma *Shuwaimeh *Saqlawieh. No less than twenty types of the pure-bred Arabian horse are known as being the original source of the pure breed that is still preserved in the oft-forgotten State of Bahrain, the overall herd consists of: * Kuheila't Al-Ajooz - considered as a noble conveyor of other bloodlines. * Kuheila't Aafas- famous for its original type * Kuheila't Alkadiyat - mentioned in the Holy Quran * Kuheila't Umm Zorayr - known for producing very tall and beautiful horses * al-Jellabieh- a specific bloodline bred at Admiri Arabian Stud * al-Hamdanieh- very popular for its beauty * Krush- still producing compact models * al-Kray- in the legacy of Al Khalifa Stud. * al-Mlolesh- breeding base at Amiri Arabian Stud * al-Dhahma- mentioned in the Hadiths * al-Musannah- producing very strong horses to model * al-Shuwaimeh - legendary bloodline descending from the five Koheila't Ajooz * al-Obeyah- legendary bloodline in Arabia * al-Suwaitieh- often from central Arabia * Rabda- producing horses with excellent body. * Hadhfah- very old bloodline present in Bahrain * al-Shawafah-al Khalifa family's most favourite bloodline * al-Saqlawieh - legendary bloodline for its finesse * Wadhna- possessing a mighty body * al-Tuwaisah- characterized by its refined beauty * al-Ma'anaghieh - ancient bloodline that is often found in northern Arabia In the 1850s, several horses from Bahrain were introduced to Abbas Pasha I of Egypt to be bred to a group of elite broodmares including *Jellaby and *Mlolesh bloodlines. This lot also included an extraordinary beautiful mare * El Dahmeh who was offered by Shaikh Isa bin Ali al- Khalifa - a distant ancestor of current reigning monarch - to the Khedivè. Mainly in Egypt, all these horses largely participated in the creation of an Arabian strain of its own with the highest purity of blood, whilst other countries have been quite fortunate to import breeding specimens straight from Bahrain. In 1931 Poland got a * Kuheilan Aafas foal, in 1938 two foals left for England a * Musannaan and a *Wathneh one as well as a precious *Mloleshaan stallion in 1952; in 1968, a stunning *Tuwaisaan stallion went to South Africa, thus, closing down all exports of this genetic treasure from Bahrain to foreign countries. At the time, Emir Shaikh Isa bin Salman al-Khalifa kept the ancient family tradition of maintaining the purity of these Arabian horses, while also improving their qualities. Later on, Shaikh Hamed bin Isa al-Khalifa made build the Amiri Arabian Horse Stud to have full command of the national breeding production. In 1983, the Royal Stables were moved to an isolated valley in *Rawdat' Alghar to protect the breed in a heavenly, natural environment. During his reign, the Emir of Bahrain put a ban on all the exports for commercial purposes, limiting as much as possible the participation of his own horses in shows or competitions. I had myself the chance to come to Bahrain in 1988, a visit which led to a very fruitful collaboration within the Cannes Arabian Horse Show and the Paris Competitions organized by Agence Française du Cheval Arabe and Spodex. Without underestimating the role of international bodies in the preservation of the breed, the State of Bahrain was recognized by the WAHO (World Arabian Horse Organization) as an active member in 1976, thereafter, an agreement could be reached on the organization of the 1998 World Conference of Arab Horse Breeders at Saffriya Stables. Invited by the Crown Prince Court as a Technical Advisor together with Dr. Vet. Gebresele Araya and with all the team working on of this major event, I was able to select twenty-two mares and seven stallions, all of whom were representatives of the primary bloodlines of the so-called 'Asil' Arabian horse. As I did not use to handle horses, I was given specific training sessions by two handlers from the Royal Stables of Morocco, Driss and Larbi, in a peaceful environment and with a lot of respect for the horses standing at Saffriya Stables and at al-Rouhda Stables, a real treasure standing right there, in front of us. An interesting tour allowed the delegates to visit Umm Jedda Stables owned by Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman al-Khalifa which was built in a traditional Bedouin style right in the middle of the desert, before arriving at the racetrack. I have to thank the then Crown Prince Shaikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, crowned as King of Bahrain in 2002, for laying all of his trust in my hands, he gave me everything I needed, as well, I will never forget Mohammed bin Khaled al-Khalifa from Crown Prince Court with whom I was able to organize these events, the success of which went beyond any expectations. In those days, really everyone could see up close the exceptional beauty of pure horses who appear so different from today's specimens, the features of which have been gradually altered by professionals who do not always care about preserving the original standards of a breed that has been there for centuries. On site for the event, we remember the presence of a shy young European man who after few years became the Head of the European Arabian Horse Show. Given that it is now necessary to be competitive in the Arabian horse diaspora, the leaders in charge of the industry in Bahrain have largely opened up to endurance competitions, public races on racetracks, without underestimating a strong turnout of imported horses with more fashionable bloodlines at international Arabian horses competitions, which have nothing to do with yesterday's equine heritage. Although the latest events may convey us an image of the Arabian horse deeply affected by expansionist modernity, the legacy of the Oriental horses of Bahrain is still living in this beautiful country where some of those treasures are guarded in reduced herds. To visit the Kingdom of Bahrain, you have to plan your trip ahead, go to Park al-Areen, a wonderful natural reserve of endangered species of typical animals of this desert region, such like the *Oryx, the* Nubian Ibex, the *Rheem gazelle as well as the *Houbara that are often hunted by hawks without forgetting the * Dung beetle that lives in the desert, for a truly sensational discove