By Muaz al-Muhammad
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Kariman al-Hamdan stands observing the horses in the stable. They are an inheritance he has acquired from his fathers and ancestors over hundreds of years.
Al-Hamdan, the owner of a horse farm in the village of Subayhiya near the town of Rmelan, northeast Syria, describes this profession as one of “authenticity and heritage.”
He said that he has inherited these horses from his fathers and ancestors, and there are stables scattered throughout this region.
“We have been caring for these horses for centuries, and they have become a part of our family. We cannot give up raising horses,” he told North Press.
Despite years of war, the breeders of purebred Arabian horses in Syria have managed to preserve their horses and have made efforts to protect the horse breed from loss, despite many horse farms being subjected to theft and neglect.
Al-Hamdan farther explained that at the beginning of the crisis, the horses were vulnerable to theft and neglect. However, thanks to the efforts of dedicated individuals, a part of them was recovered.
Many organizations have contributed to the establishment of specialized associations aimed at promoting horses through sports races in the region. Horse breeders from various cities and governorates have actively participate in these races, he noted.
Preserving Heritage
The southern outskirts of the town of Rmelan are among the most important regions dedicated to the breeding of purebred Arabian horses, where numerous farms for breeding these horses can be found.
Owners of those farms observe how these horses move step by step on the track. They feel connected to the horses, as they have been working with them for decades, using them for training, breeding, and trade.
In the village of Subayhiya, southeast of Rmelan, multiple horse farms are scattered. These farms receive meticulous care, and their owners participate in sports races across various provinces, extending to Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor.
Despite the challenges posed by the war and the soaring cost of living, which have negatively impacted horse breeders’ ability to secure fodder and medicine for their horses al-Hamdan stressed that raising horses “is a heritage that we have diligently preserved for years.”
He further emphasizes the need for horse lovers to “continue supporting this heritage and organizing regular races to sustain interest in them.”
Al-Hamdani lists various horse breeds, including Suklawiyat, Hamdaniyat, Hadaba, Kehaylat al-Sharif. some of these breeds can fetch prices as high as $100,000 per horse, such as the Hadaba.
Growing interest
the villages and towns in the eastern countryside of the city of Qamishli, northeastern Syria, has recently witnessed a growing interest in breeding purebred horses and an increased demand for them after a period of decline caused by the escalation of military operations in the area.
Faiz Khalil, a horse breeding project owner, told North Press that despite the challenging circumstances the region has witnessed, breeders in our village have remained committed to horse breeding. “It is a sport and a heritage that we have cherished and passed down since childhood.”
Khalil owns racehorses that participate in major races and festivals across the governorates, with a particular focus on male horses due to their higher susceptibility to injury or mortality. Female horses, on the other hand, are preserved for breeding purposes.
“Due to the dedicated efforts of concerned parties and passionate horse farm owners, organizing competitions and festivals has become a prominent event,” Khalil added.
Tribes and committees dedicated to horse breeding regularly organize competitions to select and honor horse riders and breeders in the region, aiming to preserve and prevent the marginalization of this heritage despite the challenges of war. Each breeder has their own stable or specialized horse farm within their village, tailored to their profession and hobby.
Sarhan al-Khadan, a horse breeder, said that the horses are a national treasure, “we invested both financially and emotionally in their well-being.”
Al-Khudan further explained that horse breeding requires efforts to secure high-quality feed such as barley, straw, and vegetables, which have become increasingly expensive.
“We struggle to obtain the necessary feed and medications for treatment, as they are very expensive,” he said.
“Despite facing various challenges, we have remained committed to caring for horses because we inherited it from our ancestors. We cannot abandon them,” he stressed.
Al-Khudan’s farm houses 40 horses that participate in sports races. He concluded “During these races, we carefully identify the strongest horses to select and assign them to specific farms based on their breeds.”