HORSEBACK TREKKING IN JORDAN
GENERAL INFORMATION

OUR CAVALRY  -  "The Wadi Rum Horses"

It isn't the finest in the world, neither is it the most stylish, nor the most...

Eid Hassanat and Aisha  - 3 year old mare

But you will be riding true horses of Arabian blood, (or "Anglo-Arabian Bedouin" with the official name in Jordan of "Bedouin bred"). Most of them are mares, coming from different regions in the Middle East, (Jordan, Syria, Iraq... ). There are also geldings and very occasionally stallions.

Some have the thoroughbred certificate (W.A.H.O.), and come from stables in the north of the country. In general we avoid buying thoroughbred horses from "outside" the region (all our horses can show at least two generations in Arabia) since they risk being unsuitable for the harsh living conditions of the desert.

Shollah - a pure bred Arabian Bedouin mare

All of these horses are generous and high spirited, very enjoyable to ride, in spite of their strong temperament (or perhaps because of it?) Their endurance and also their good temper are legendary. You will be able to testify to this yourself.

They are sure-footed horses, quick to react and with a notable sense of competition. Arabians enjoy racing. These are absolutely not "riding school horses" but working horses trained to Bedouin standards and to our own desert riding standards.

"Seef-Saad"

It is not enough for a horse to be stamped "Arabian" or for it to posses papers naming it "Arabian" issued by some Western organisation. The only true "Arabian" horse is the one coming from the Bedouin. Living in the desert, in a harsh and often hostile environment, it is trained by the Bedouin, according to their standards, their culture and their customs.

Its family lineage in its entirety, determines its basic aptitudes. To begin with, it must be fast - very fast...

Galloping in the open spaces of Wadi Rum

Our horses spend all the year round in the desert, at Rum Station, in the valley where Atallah Sweilhin and his family live. They remain mostly in a paddock or run free around the outbuildings of the family home, some 15 kms from the village of Rum. There are no large or cumbersome stables there; a provision of water and shade, a few stalls to isolate sick horses or those with a special problem, a large harness room, and some storage for fodder (barley, alfalfa, straw and dates...)

They remain in training, take part in races, and perfectly reflect the usual state of Bedouin horses, living in close companionship with men.

Zelda, the dark one		3 year old pure bred Arabian mare		Bint al Noor "Daughter of Light"

At the moment, in order to avoid too much duplication, we are working closely with our friends of the neighbouring stables of "Beit Ali" a few kilometers to the east at Shakria. In 2002 some 20 horses were permanently available and in place. Extra horses can if necessary be brought in from other members of the family. In 2003 we owned, just ourselves, more than 26 head. The economic recession and the slowing down of tourism these last two years have forced us to reduce our stable.

Working together we provide the only available organisation of true Bedouin horses, coming from the desert, living in the desert, with personnel and supplementary help all completely local. This is the "real thing" that we are seeking to offer.

Galloping in the badia