The horses at Ranch de Diabat, which offer you experiences immersed in Essaouira's pristine nature, are purebred Arab-Berber horses. But why are they called that? What are their characteristics?
The history of the Arabian-Berber horse
It is a horse originally from North Africa (Algeria, Morocco and Libya), with noble blood and a propensity for the saddle.
One people who continue to breed pure Arab-Berber horses today are the Tuareg , an ethnic group living along the Sahara Desert. It appears to have been introduced to Europe around the 8th century, with the Moorish invasions.
The Andalusian and the Godolphin Barb originated from the Arabian-Berber horse, from whose lineage the English Thoroughbred will be born.
Thanks also to Sorec (Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Horse), the Berber breed continues its evolution in the equestrian infrastructure of Morocco.
Characteristics of the Arabian-Berber horse
The height at the withers varies between 142 and 157 centimeters, with a coat that can be bay, dark bay, chestnut, black, or gray. It has a long head, with a narrow forehead and a straight profile. The limbs are lean but strong, suited to running. Its distinctive feature is its resistance to severe climatic variations and fatigue.
In ancient times
The Berber Arabian horse began to run in the Sahara desert, with the warriors of the Neolithic era : they depicted it as a flying horse, fast and light.
The Berber left his mark in the conquest of Carthage : the Numidian cavalry rode these small, vigorous horses. They rode bareback, commanded only by voice; there was no need for violence: the horses were swift and gentle, and obeyed their masters' commands.
Tunisia was still a Roman province and the Olympic games of all kinds were loved and acclaimed: inside the Hippodrome of Carthage and the Arab-Berber horses ran.
According to the Emir Abd-El-Kadre , many centuries later, the Berber was anything but a degeneration of the mighty Arab: at most a superior race.
The history of the Berber Arabian horse is extremely long: in 1918, the French African Cavalry equipped itself with this powerful breed. General Juinot-Gambetta wrote: "Our Berber horses are admirable for the skill with which they tackle the terrible climb. Indeed, to reach this railway junction behind the front and prevent the enemy's retreat, the riders had to cross a mountain range, where other horses would not have been able to get out: a daring maneuver."
From Tunisia, Berber Arabian horses were later taken by Rommel, a German army officer, during the Second World War , who used them to reach the gates of Moscow. Or, at least, so the story goes.
The Arabian-Berber horses at the Ranch de Diabat
The majestic and energetic Arabian-Berber horses are an integral part of the Ranch de Diabat, a professional equestrian center in the Essaouira region . Our horseback excursions and treks around the region allow you not only to fully experience Moroccan nature and social life, but also to come into contact with these ancestral animals, whose hooves have trod not only these regions but all of Europe for centuries.
Easily tamed, light and energetic, they can gallop for long periods without tiring, and can withstand desert heat and torrential rains. They have lived through wars of independence, colonialism, and world wars: they are still here, with us, in their land, and they roam free in their habitat .
