When Saudi Arabia first became a nation, horses were an important element of daily life on the Arabian Peninsula. But as the Kingdom modernized and people moved to the cities, they left their animals behind. Soon, for many Saudis, horses were part of the memories of a bygone age.
The effects of this trend weren’t readily apparent. Because livestock had always held great importance to Arabs, children used to be taught how to care for animals and treat them with respect. But it was not convenient to keep livestock in the city, so except for the odd sheep brought to the house at Eid time or perhaps a few chickens cooped near the kitchen, suddenly children had no experience with animals.
About 20 years ago, disturbing trends were noticed in the new generation of young Saudis. These children feared animals. They didn’t know how to behave with God’s creatures. Many youngsters thought that animals were dirty. Some children became abusive with animals they might encounter in the streets, simply because they had never had close contact with animals at home.
Perhaps, even worse was the destiny of the horses that were abandoned in the desert. With no one to look after them, many Arabian horses simply died. Those that survived were usually found starving and unkempt, living off garbage dumped outside the cities. It was a cruel fate for these magnificent creatures.
It took a while for the Arabian to make a comeback, but now there are definite signs that the horse will once again become part of Saudi society. Some members of the Royal Family always kept stables and about a decade ago, other wealthy Saudis also began to take an active interest in owning Arabian horses. While equestrian clubs were formed and races were run, the average Saudi was largely excluded from playing any sort of active role in the revival of the Arabian horse. The primary reason for this was that keeping a horse in the backyard or on a balcony was something generally frowned upon by the neighbors.
“We did some research and discovered that there were many Saudis who would like to give their children the opportunity to interact with horses, but they felt it was impossible as they were city dwellers,” said Adnan Tawfiq Jarrar, manager, Najd Equestrian School. “We are hoping to provide them with an option that was never available before.”
The Najd Equestrian School has been founded as a pilot project with the goal of re-introducing Saudis, especially Saudi children, to horses. The school has been created on the outskirts of the Doha subdivision, which is between Dhahran and Alkhobar. Fully staffed with trainers and grooms, the school owns 35 horses, both Arabians and Thoroughbreds, and is offering children, aged kindergarten and above, a chance to come and take riding lessons.
“When we say to parents, ‘let your children take riding lessons,’ we are not suggesting that children will be allowed to hop on the back of a horse and go galloping off across the field,” said trainer Eva Juliet Madrelle. “The children will all be started off with the basics. Grooming the horse. Walking the horse. How to behave toward the horse. Only once the children have learned to respect the animals will the riding lessons begin. I was raised with the knowledge that the horse is more than half the rider. Our students must accept this or they will never interact well with the animals.”
Trainer Helen Duran continued, “We just opened the school in December and we have already seen that Saudi children are very wary around the horses. Many of these children have had no real prior experience with animals. Our students must be taught to be quiet near the horses. We must insist that the riders always be calm and gentle in dealing with the animals. Some students don’t like the idea of washing the horses or having to help in cleaning out the stalls and tidying the equipment. But it is all part of getting to know and understand the horses.”
The Najd Equestrian School offers all types of riding lessons from the basics through to more advanced skills such as show jumping and dressage. In addition to the Arabians and Thoroughbreds owned by the school, there are already some privately owned horses stabled at the facility.
“Because the school and stables are close to large residential areas, we hope that many families will send their children for lessons,” said trainer Sulat Mutihilal. “Horseback riding teaches children a lot about good behavior and responsibility. It is an excellent physical activity. Being close to the horses has emotional benefits as well. Many children spend all their free time indoors playing video games or watching television. This is a completely different and very fulfilling activity.”
Children from local schools take lessons at Najd Equestrian School in the morning. The afternoons and weekends are open for private lessons. A special program for handicapped youngsters is also being started.
“We will be hosting physically and mentally disabled children at Najd Equestrian School,” said Jarrar. “I want to emphasize that this program will be free of charge. The value of therapeutic riding has long been recognized. In the USA and Canada there are hundreds of riding programs helping the handicapped. For example, the organization, Pleasant Dreams Arabians, in Canada, works with children with such serious disabilities as cerebral palsy, autism and Downs Syndrome. Just imagine how it would feel to a child who is usually confined to a wheelchair, to be set free on the back of a horse. We hope that Najd Equestrian School will be able to bring a little joy into the lives of disabled children in the Eastern Province.”
Therapeutic riding has been shown to offer a long list of benefits to the disabled. It can correct muscle tone, increase physical stamina, improve sensory reception, encourage proper posture, give self-esteem and enhance emotional stability. Some disabled children who are mute or unresponsive, dramatically increase their level of vocalization and even smile during therapeutic riding sessions.
“Scientists still don’t understand exactly why therapeutic riding offers so much to disabled children,” commented Jarrar. “What is certain is that there is a healing interaction between the horses, trainers and the disabled riders. For the families of these children the effects seem miraculous.”
Standing in the middle of a riding academy, built 10 minutes from downtown Alkhobar, seems in itself something of a miracle. The stables, riding rings, outbuildings and riding paths cover 30,000 square meters. It feels extremely strange to watch exquisite creatures casually munching on alfalfa and boiled barley, right down the road from the headquarters of the world’s largest oil company.
I strolled through the stables, chatting to the horses and offering them chopped apples as treats. In the middle of my compliments to Alexge on a splendidly braided mane, Badal banged on the door of his stall with his hoof. He whinnied. His meaning was clear, “Get over here! I’m beautiful, too!” He nibbled the apples off my outstretched hand and generously allowed me to come close and stroke his head. There is nothing more wondrous than placing your cheek against a velvet coat, closing your eyes and for a moment having no worries at all. It is a feeling I hope that every child gets a chance to know.
Arab News Features 10 January 2003
