SDA
Psalms 91:4
SpiritWind Desert Arabians, LLC
30+ years:
What IS it all About?
How it Began!
​
...is currently located in West Central Idaho at the foot of the West Central Mountains. Settled at about 3000' elevation, known as "High Desert". That is a big (and welcome) change from Kerrick, MN!
​
SpiritWind Desert Arabians, LLC began that night in 1991 when Sierra Sandarac arrived. Much Thanks to Bruce Maloof for giving me the opportunity and in trusting me with his fine stallion. What a grand fella he was! At age 18, he became my teacher and partner for many years to come. (He was age 30 in this photo!)
S
D
A
BjDavison Photo Collection
In the years prior to 1991, I was fortunate to be in the presence of many great Al Khamsa horses. I also met and spent precious time with many of the passionate Breeders of these Asil Arabians. I met many of the Supporters of Al Khamsa, Inc. initially at their local AK chapter meetings and later at national conventions. The devotion and passion were palpable! I was intrigued. I HAD to get involved!! The people were great, and it was a cause
I was getting more excited about with each group of horses I saw in person.
The First Horses!
​
Three mares, and one more stallion, set the original Foundation that was then built upon for the next 3 decades: Bint Bint Subani, Bint Sierra SS, EDA Sahmantha, and later, Maloof Hassan. Much more recently, stallion Maarakesh was also added.
The Goal? To conserve the historical Foundation genetics of this great breed, and to preserve the essence of the Asil horse of the Desert.
_edited.jpg)
BjDavison Photo
BjDavison Photo
BjDavison Photo
First ride for Evan M.
BMaloof Photo
"Preservation" Needs Preserving!
Breeding programs of a larger size like this seem to be dwindling and it's no wonder with the amount of work and sacrifice involved. It is NOT for the faint of heart - especially with the current economy and the state of the horse market in general. In addition, it is a
challenge for a program with long-term breeding goals and a desire for continuity of the use of its rare genetics to find committed successors!
​
The Future of the Breed truly does depend on it.
We all remain hopeful that others will come along and share the passion.
​
In Recent Years...
In recent years, one more stallion, Maarakesh, was included. He is of Babson/W.R. Brown breeding. This brought in more of the Desert heritage, but from varied sources such as through Prince Mohammed Ali Tewfik (1875-1955) of the Manial Stud, and later, through the efforts of W.R. Brown and J.M. Dickinson. Their efforts produced the unique stallion: Hallany Mistanny, a noted ancestor of Maarakesh.
BjDavison Photo
Why was this important?
The Common Thread!
The one common thread bonding ALL of these lines, is that they maintain some of the HIGHEST concentration that remains today of the heritage of Egyptian ruler Abbas Pasha's highly revered Stud of the mid 1800's. His horses maintained a direct link to those of the Arabian Desert and were bred and managed by the Bedouins while in his possession.
As noted by Lady Anne Blunt, they had "That indescribable aire of distinction." Still today, the horses that remain of this source heritage are treasured for their roots in the original Arabian horses of the Desert.
​
Abbas Pasha was passionate about these Jewels of the Desert and was said to be the first to begin written records to assist in maintaining their status.
Maarakesh boasts a representation of AP heritage of just over 66%!
(None today are greater than 67%.)
​
Please visit this page for more details on Ancestral Information:
​
For specific details on the history of the horses and a better understanding of the
​
LABELS used to identify them, please visit the page!
​
S
D
A
The SDA horses trace from the days of the Bedouins, through the years of the many Egyptian rulers - specifically initiated by Abbas Pasha...then later through the hands of the Blunts at their Crabbet and Sheykh Obeyd Studs. After that, from the imports to the US complements of the efforts of W.R. Brown of the Maynesboro Stud, Henry Babson, and Richard Pritzlaff of Rancho San Ignacio. Awareness was growing. Colorado Rancher Jerry Smith of Sierra Caballos, Inc., the many members of the Doyle family, Bruce and Teresa Maloof, Rob Dougherty and many others recognized the unique treasure these horses were and in their own way contributed immeasurably in keeping this vision alive.
The Goal of this diverse, yet similarly rooted SDA group, remains:
​
*To Preserve the Original (Asil) Desert Heritage of the Arabian Horse*
Dedication!
Here at SDA, it is a One-Woman Passion!
There are both benefits and challenges to being the sole breeding visionary of a breeding effort, but as has been said by those who have gone before me, the horses will tell - if you listen. The blending of this blood has provided healthy, long-lived athletes with exceptional work-ethic, great substance and bone, natural loft and impulsion...and confident, calm, intelligent minds...and plenty of PERSONALITY! (Visit the Understanding Labels page for specific details on this breeding!)
​
They are natural "Sport Horses" with exceptional attributes for Endurance. They are long-strided, powerful, yet graceful athletes. Their effortless fast walk leaves most behind and puts a smile on your face! Their confidence, durability and go-all-day energy will also shine in local Ranch work. We look forward to changing some attitudes about "Arabian horses" and maybe we might even do a little "impressing"!
Perseverence!
Pursuing a long-term breeding program can be a challenging and certainly demanding endeavor, but despite the economy and the twists and turns in life...the dedication and passion to persist prevails!
The Asil Arabian horses here live "like horses". They have room to roam, explore, and run! You may see knots in their manes, or mud on their coats. They may wear their feet off on the dry sandy or rocky hills here. They live in herd groups and understand order and respect. They encounter wild animals and live adjacent to cattle and other livestock. And, most noticeably, they like and seek out people, too!
​
Recent years here have been focused on rebuilding the group by replacing older horses with new generations to carry on, in hopes of securing a solid future for these very specific Asil bloodlines.
With 16 youngsters of 6 years of age or less, this year (and a few to follow!) will be focused on training - and riding of some "neglected" older horses (yay!) and
getting out into this great Idaho mountain landscape that surrounds us. The plan is to make some wet saddle pads, get back to some Endurance rides, help a few local ranchers...and educate others through actions on the amazing intelligence, willingness, athleticism, and durability, as well as beauty, of the working Asil Arabian horse!
​
​
SpiritWind Desert Arabians, LLC looks forward to
introducing You
to the Original Arabian of the Desert!
​
Come, Experience:
