Al Khamsa Arabians: Their Tribal Sources

From THE KHAMSAT ANTHOLOGY | by Carol Lyons
originally printed: KHAMSAT, Volume 7, Number 2, 1990

Al Khamsa Arabians are defined as those horses in North America that can reasonable be assumed to descend entirely from asil bedouin Arabian horses bred by the horse-breeding bedouin tribes of the deserts of the Arabian peninsula, without admixture from sources unacceptable to Al Khamsa.

It is this definition which sets Al Khamsa Arabians apart from all others and which make these horses a cohesive group, even though there are individual modern breeding programs.

The key to the Al Khamsa concept lies with the bedouin tribes as the original source of the foundation horses without regard to any intermediary country, person or studfarm which may have acquired, or bred from descendants of these foundation horses.

Who were these horse-breeding bedouin tribes?

Since Biblical times the bedouins have wandered in the deserts of the extended Arabian peninsula. Tribal units were bound together by blood ties and relationships. Theirs was an uncomplicated life of survival of the fittest in a harsh, dry climate, a life which of necessity dealt with open spaces and movement in search of grazing lands for their camels, sheep and horses. The annual migrations of the tribes were not haphazard. Each tribe tended to remain within specific areas, except in times of extreme drought, or during tribal wars when the migratory areas might be considerably extended.

Caravan routes spanned the huge peninsula from city to oasis to city across the vast emptiness of the desert. They were fair game for the marauding bedouins who exacted tribute and taxes from them, as well as subsidies from local governments which paid the bedouins to let the caravans pass unmolested. Pilgrims to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina followed the caravan routes, and were a source of income to the governments.

Although the camel was the primary means of transportation, the Arabian horses was essential to the bedouins, particularly in raids or wars, both of which were frequent events. According to eyewitness accounts, none of the tribes possessed horses in great numbers. There are undoubtedly more living registered Arabians in the USA today than ever existed in the desert at one time.

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Starting Your Own Arabian Horse Library

by Joe Ferriss

In this fast paced information age of the internet one wonders if books are useful items to own and collect. The truth is that nothing can take the place of those stolen quiet moments at your leisure or late at night when you can curl up with a book and browse or read intensely with a greater energy and speed than even the fastest computer, by candle light even without electricity.

The Arabian horse is a fascinating subject covered in thousands of books almost as far back as when books were invented. For this reason books on this subject become not only sources of knowledge but sometimes valued collectibles. Given the scope of the subject where does one start? Well here are some simple suggestions for getting started.

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One Who Counted

Written by Charles Craver

by Charles Craver

Way back -- probably 1957 -- when I was trying to get started with Davenport breeding, I was contacted by an Elizabeth Paynter, who was trying to do the same thing. Elizabeth Paynter turned out to be a teen-age girl, still in high school.

She liked to be called “Liz.” She was one of those sweet, wholesome kids with a wonderful father and mother. There was no question that she was horse crazy. No doubt her folks liked horses, too, but I think their main interest was in participating in an activity with Liz. One or both of them would be along when she came for a visit. they actively took part in her horse projects. Betty, the mother, took care of the horses when Liz could not, and, of course, money had to come from somewhere. The Paynters were not wealthy people, but they took good care of their horses and paid their horse bills.

As time passed, Liz went on with her education, first to Stephens College at Colombia, Missouri, then to Iowa State. Later, she was out of school and married for a while, but ended up back at home. Usually girls who become horse enthusiasts get into horse-show circles.

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Living With a Descendant of the Raswan Collection

From THE KHAMSAT ANTHOLOGY | as told by Mary Lou Raulerson

We received this touching story about the 20 year old Al Khamsa stallion Laurence (Ansata Ali Pasha x HMR Ballani) whose location was unknown until Mary Lou Raulerson, who adquired him, became familiar with Al Khamsa.

His dam, HMR Ballanni, was bred by Howard Marks and is by Hallany Mistanny and is a daughter of Baba, one of the mares on the reference pedigree list of the Raswan collection. Here is Laurence’s story as told by Mary Lou Raulerson:

“An old rock and roll song said...‘to know, know, know him is to love, love, love him…’ and in the case of Laurence it’s true. That grand old horse has built up quite a fan club over the years in our area including children,women who always wanted a horse, owners of his get and even the vets who have treated him. His most ardent admirers are Walter Schimanski, who owns his 3/4 sister, Balima and, of course, me.

How can an Al Khamsa stallion in the middle of quarter horse country be so popular? As Walter says, “Laurence is all Arab.” When Laurence looks at you with his big, luminous eyes, you not only see but feel his affection for people. If that doesn’t win you over, he’ll put on a show that will bring tears to your eyes. Laurence is quite crippled these days, but if the aucience is appreciative, he will trot up a storm, not taking a lame step until his performance is over.

I first saw Laurence as a suckling foal following his mama HMR Ballanni (Hallany Mistanny x Baba) in a herd of mares on a visit to Willis and Jimmie Flick’s Glenglade Arabians in Miami, Florida. The sire of that pretty faced youngster was Ansata Ali Pasha (*Ansata Ibn Halima x *Ansata Bint Zaafarana). At the time I thought Ali Pasha was the most beautiful horse in the world. 20 years have passed and I still remember how beautiful he was but now I think Laurence is the most beautiful!

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