Perhaps one of the most interesting things about our arabian horses is the rich and vibrant history that paints a great picture of their past. Being one of the world's oldest and purest breeds, the arabian is well documented and there are many stories to tell.

One of these stories belongs to the Bedouins and the roots of this magnificent breed, as well as the equally magnificent people who bred and cared for them.
 

The historic arabian horse was a war horse. A temperament full of fierce fire; the instrument of battle. They were loyal, nimble, classy and bold - I can tell you, not much has changed! The only difference is that nowadays, they would not be expected to charge into a full blown war, but back in the day they absolutely would have…The courage and the heart that these horses held was like no other.

One such ancient Bedouin legend is often told about a chief named Ahmed, his tribe, and his prized arabian mare.

“Like many arabian mares during this time, Ahmed’s mare was his prized possession and as such was treated as part of the family - this is where the term ‘tent horse’ arose from, as horses owned by the Bedouins would quite literally have the temperament and place in the family to sleep within the tents. Mares were chosen above stallions as they did not make noise when approaching enemy tribes.

Soon became the time where Ahmed wanted to breed his prize mare, and so he took off across the desert in search of a suitable partnership. He eventually found such a partnership within the Sultan’s stable, and so his prized mare was bred to the most elite stallion the Sultan has acquired.

The pregnancy for the mare was normal, and several months later out on his daily stroll, Ahmed and his prized mare were spotted by a group of robbers. Ahmed worried that he would lose his life and his mare too, and so she, full of determination and strength to save herself and her owner despite being heavily pregnant, turned to flee towards the tents of home. Ahmed knew that the mare would not be able to outrun the fit horses that the robbers had acquired as steeds. But with bullets flying, his soulmate and life partner knew she was running for her owner’s life, and it was her courage and loyalty that grew a distance between Ahmed and the robbers.

With shock, as the last bullet flew through the air, Ahmed was struck through the heart. He fell onto the neck of his prized mare who never skipped a beat on her journey home to the tents.

Upon arrival, Ahmed’s friends and family gathered around the mare to remove his body. They were eternally grateful that she had delivered Ahmed back to them. As they grieved, his blood had trickled down the mares shoulder and had dried into a bloody stain. They scrubbed and they scrubbed but no man, woman or child could remove it.

That night in Ahmed’s tent, surrounded by his family, his most prized possession gave birth to a beautiful, bold colt. Peculiar, however, that on his shoulder he bore the same mirrored blooded stain that his mother had gained from her last journey with her master. Ahmed’s tribe saw this as a sign from Allah and a reward for her courage and loyalty. Others in the tribe believed that Ahmed had arranged with Allah that the dedication of his mare was to be commended, so it would be remembered forever more that her descendants will possess the same courage and wear the blood stains as a mark of honour.”

Though there are a few minor variations of this tale, this proves to be the most popular. We have many bloody-shouldered arabians continuing to carry the flag of this noble tale today.

WH Justice (Magnum Psyche x Vona Sher-Renea).
Perhaps one of the most popular modern day arabian with a bloody shoulder,
WH Justice is well known as The Champion Maker
for his unmatched contribution to the breed.
Pictured by Glenn Jacobs

Savio (Dreamcatcher SMF x Om El Shadina by Sanadik El Shaklan).
Bred in the US, Savio has been shown successfully
in the Middle East and Europeas well as siring multiple progeny.
Pictured by Nawaf Al Johani

   

Showkayce+ (Fame VF+ x Kay by Kaiyoum++).
Perhaps one of the best progeny of Fame VF+, Showkayce+ like
his sire had earnedhimself a Legion of Honor through his incredible show record.
Showkayce+ was also a popular sire of champions before his passing in 2020.
Pictured by Javan Schaller

Al Nahr Montego (*Ibn Moniet El Nefous x Bint Fada by Fa-Serr).
This Straight Egyptian stallion was bred in the USA in 1968
and is perhaps one of the most recognised horses with a bloody shoulder marking.
He was imported to Israel in 1982 where he continued to sire successfully.

Anood Al Nasser (Ashhal Al Rayyan x Aleysha Al Nasser by Gazal Al Shaqab).
Perhaps the most accurate modern-day representation of the bold,
fierce and loyal arabian mare that the Bedouins would have created their legends upon.
She has left her own mark on the world, becoming world champion mare!
Pictured by Isabelle Konst