From the Najd Plateau to a Worldwide Brand: Arabian Horse
Majed Muhammed ZoubaIn this article, the origin of the Arabian horse, which is seen as one of the most valuable horse breeds, and the purposes for which it was used by human beings in the historical process, where it was seen, how it was raised and how it gained value enough to be gifted in inter-state relations are examined. The horse breed known as the Arabian horse includes horses raised in the Najd region. The Arabian horses raised and produced there requires special care. Until a certain age, a set of long-established rules are applied for their nutrition and training. Afterwards, these carefully selected horses would either be given to the service of nobles or used for show purposes. Arabian horses, which were in demand by the Ottoman Palace and other state rulers, had been forbidden to be sold commercially outside the region where they were bred. Arabian horses found a place in the palaces of other countries merely by getting gifted by the sultan. The Ottoman sultans always showed a special interest and care for the Arabian horses raised in the palace stables. The horses raised in the palace stables, which is called “Istabl-ı Amire”, were preferred as gifts depending to the state of relations with European states during the period. In this context, it is known that the horses gifted by the Ottoman Empire reached the palaces of Austria, Germany, France, Italy, England, Greece, Romania, Japan, Russia, the United States of America and Iran. The Arabian horses, which attracts attention with its appearance were not only used as gifts but were also the center of attention at exhibitions held in various capitals of Europe and the United States. Arabian horses, also started to get attantion in the horse races which is started to getting popular after the second half of the 19th century. Thus, the Ottoman administration took action for the Arabian horses which were becoming increasingly famous and established farms in various parts of the empire for their breeding and popularization. With the establishment of these farms, it was aimed to prevent the deterioration of the Arabian horse breed, to increase the number of horses and to prevent illegal sales. In the end, the Ottoman Empire failed to use Arabian horses which were accepted by all circles, as a world brand.
Necd Yaylası’ndan Dünya Markası’na: Arap Atı
Majed Muhammed ZoubaBu makalede en kıymetli at ırkları arasında görülen Arap atının kökenine değinilerek tarihsel süreç içerisinde insanoğlu tarafından ne amaçlarla kullanıldığı, nerelerde görüldüğü, nasıl yetiştirildiği ve devletler arası ilişkilerde hediye edilecek kadar nasıl değer kazandığından bahsedilmektedir. Arap atı olarak anılan at ırkı, Necd Bölgesi’nde yetiştirilen atları kapsamaktadır. Burada yetiştirilip, üretimi yapılan Arap atlarının bakımı ayrı bir özen gerektirmektedir. Belli bir yaşa kadar beslenmesi ve eğitimi için evvelden beri kabul edilmiş birtakım kurallar uygulanır. Daha sonra özenle seçilmiş bu atlar ya soyluların hizmetine verilir ya da gösteri amaçlı kullanılır. Osmanlı Sarayı başta olmak üzere, diğer devlet yöneticileri tarafından da rağbet gören Arap atlarının, yetiştirildiği bölge dışına ticari amaçla satılmasına yasak getirilmiştir. Arap atları ancak padişah tarafından hediye edilmek suretiyle diğer ülkelerin saraylarında kendine yer bulabilmiştir. Osmanlı padişahları her daim saray ahırlarında yetiştirilen Arap atlarına ayrı bir ilgi ve ihtimam göstermiştir. Istabl-ı Âmire olarak adlandırılan saray ahırlarında yetiştirilen atlar, dönem içerisindeki ilişkilerin durumuna göre Avrupa devletlerine hediye olarak tercih edilmiştir. Bu çerçevede Osmanlı Devleti tarafından hediye edilen atların Avusturya, Almanya, Fransa, İtalya, İngiltere, Yunanistan, Romanya, Japonya, Rusya, Amerika Birleşik Devletleri ve İran saraylarına ulaştığı bilinmektedir. Görünüşüyle dikkat çeken Arap atları yalnızca hediye olarak kullanılmamış, ayrıca Avrupa’nın çeşitli başkentlerinde ve Amerika’da yapılan sergilerde de ilgi odağı olmuşlardır. 19. yüzyılın ikinci yarısından itibaren popüler olmaya başlayan at yarışlarında da yine Arap atları dikkat çekmeye başlamıştır. Böylece şöhreti gittikçe artan Arap atları için Osmanlı yönetimi harekete geçer ve üretilip, yaygınlaştırılması için imparatorluğun çeşitli bölgelerinde çiftlikler kurar. Bu çiftliklerin kurulmasıyla Arap atı ırkının bozulmaması, at sayısının çoğaltılması ve kaçak yollarla satışların önüne geçilmesi hedeflenir. Neticede Osmanlı Devleti, tüm çevreler tarafından kabul görmüş Arap atlarını dünya markası olarak kullanmayı başaramaz.
The horse, which has a long history and is the closest living creature to humans, will be evaluated here within the framework of the Arabian Horse, one of its breeds, since it contains extensive and multidimensional information about it. In general terms, the horse has been used for many purposes by humans for centuries, benefiting not only from its muscle power but also from its meat and milk. The significance of the horse in Turkish culture can be exemplified by the traditions of preparing "kumys" from its milk and playing "javelin" on horseback. The Arabian Horse, the subject of this study, is a horse breed with a short back, small head and ears, and a wide forehead. It is particularly bred on the Najd Plateau and differs from other breeds in that it is strong, durable, and fast. The Arabian horse has been officially registered with all its characteristics due to the value it has received. The generally accepted Arabian horse criteria are determined by looking at the markings on the forehead, nose, face, and feet, in addition to the above. In addition, the Arabian horse comes in several colours, the most popular of which is the gray one.
The breeding and rearing of Arabian horses has been a highly specialized pursuit since ancient times. Firstly, it is necessary to identify a suitable Arabian horse parent, ensuring that their physical characteristics are compatible. The foal must be breastfed for a minimum of 100 days, and it is important to avoid feeding hay before the age of one. It is also crucial to refrain from riding the foal before the age of two, as this can have a detrimental effect on its development. Once the foal reaches the age of two, it can be ridden, but it must not be used for other work. Finally, it is essential to ensure that the foal is controlled by grooms as it continues to grow in height until the age of five. For these meticulous efforts, certain tribes in the Arabian Peninsula made a living by breeding horses. In addition, the Arabian horse was also important for the Ottoman Palace. This precious equestrian animal was used by the courtiers and was also gifted to others. In the Ottoman Palace, the place where Arabian horses were fed and cared for was known as Istabl-ı Âmire, or Imperial Stable. In the initial period, the Arabian horse was known as the Egyptian horse, as the places of origin were typically used to indicate the breed of horse.
It was towards the end of the 19th century that the Arabian horse first acquired its own name and began to be regarded as a brand. From this period onwards, the horses to be sent from the Najd Plateau to Istanbul were selected with greater care. In particular, for the gifts sent to the Sultan, it is emphasized that the Arabian horse is regarded as a world brand due to its distinctive characteristics. The export of the horse, which was not only used for daily chores but also played a significant role in warfare, was prohibited. Consequently, the export of the horse was permitted solely as a gift, symbolizing the amity between the two states. The earliest documented instance of a horse being sent as a gift is the presentation of one to the Shah of Iran in 1623 and another to Austria in 1727. The most significant event in the global recognition of the Arabian horse as a brand was the Ottoman Empire's gifting of this valuable horse to European palaces. Following the French Revolution of 1789, France was presented with an Arabian horse as a gesture of congratulation on the establishment of the French Republic. Subsequently, in 1803 and 1806, the Arabian horse was presented once more for the purpose of diplomatic exchange. In 1890, an Arabian horse was presented to the King of Italy along with a number of gifts. This gesture by the Ottoman Sultan was welcomed by the King of Italy, and messages and thanks were sent to Istanbul, emphasizing the friendly relations between the two countries. In 1901, an Arabian horse was sent to Italy for the second time, and this time the train carrying the embassy delegation, the Arabian horse, and the gifts was welcomed by bands in Rome. In 1886, the Greek King requested the purchase of Arabian horses from Istanbul, and in that same year, with the assistance of the embassy, the horses were permitted to depart for Greece. Arabian horses were subsequently sent as gifts to England, the first in 1892 and the second in 1898. The earliest documented instance of the gift of an Arabian horse to Germany dates from 1790. Subsequent gifts were made in 1882, 1893, and 1901, accompanied by valuable gifts and delegations of officials versed in horse breeding. These gifts, along with the subsequent establishment of the brand, have come to be regarded as a significant event in the global history of horse breeding. In 1887, an Arabian horse was presented as a gift to Bucharest for the King of Romania. In 1891, four Arabian horses, a gift to the Japanese Emperor, arrived in Japan after a 54-day journey. In 1893, Serbia was presented with an Arabian horse, and the King of Serbia and the Serbian Foreign Minister sent their gratitude to Istanbul. In 1890, when Russia presented a carriage horse to the Ottoman Sultan Abdülhamid II, the question of what to send as a gift to Russia was raised in Istanbul. The Sultan, who was undecided between two Arabian horses or an antique firearm, sought counsel from the Russian Embassy, which advised that the Arabian horse would be a more appreciated gift to the Russian Emperor. Consequently, two Arabian horses were presented to Russia in 1890. The two Arabian horses sent in 1895 were received with great care in St. Petersburg and presented to the Russian Emperor in a two-hour show five days later. The final state to receive an Arabian horse as a gift was the United States, and in 1909, the US president and the Ottoman sultan exchanged gifts of one horse each.
The value of Arabian horses in racing also begins to increase. In the 19th century, there were two types of races: exhibition racing, which was based on show and appreciation, and running races. In the last quarter of the 19th century, many races were organized both inside and outside the country, and Arabian horses participated in these races. Nevertheless, the dates and locations of the races specifically designed for Arabian horses are as follows: 1888 Istanbul, 1892 Alexandria, 1894 Alexandria, 1894 Beirut, 1897 Egypt, and 1903 Erzurum. Furthermore, the Ottoman Empire sent Arabian horses, along with other products, to the Paris Exhibition of 1890, the Chicago Exhibition of 1893, and the Paris Exhibition of 1900.
As the fame of the Arabian horse began to spread, the demand for it increased at the same rate. With the increasing demand for Arabian horses, the idea of breeding these horses came to the agenda in the Ottoman Empire, and as a result of the studies started in 1870, it was decided to establish farms in different cities of the empire and to breed Arabian horses in these farms with care and attention. Arabian horse breeding farms were established in Istanbul, Bursa, Izmir, Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Prizren, Konya, Erzurum, and a few other cities. There were also cases where the sale of Arabian horses to foreign states was allowed in controlled and small quantities. As a matter of fact, it is known that Arabian horses were sold to countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Hungary, and Bulgaria between 1875 and 1908. Apart from these sales, of course, Arabian horses were also smuggled abroad. As a result of smuggling, the export of horses was banned for seven years in 1873 due to the gradual decline of valuable animals in the region. Due to the inadequacy of the measures, it is understood that up to ten thousand Arabian horses were smuggled abroad every year during this period. Contrary to the demands of the breeders in the document, the Arabian horse, which was not allowed to be sold abroad, was smuggled by the tribes in the region to countries such as Iran and India, where Arabian horses were sold at high prices. Consequently, the Arabian horse, which came to be regarded as a global brand, was either presented as a valuable gift to the palaces of prominent states or was regarded as the favourite of races with substantial prizes.
