Dazshtan, Shahwan’s Legacy
Introduction
It was late as the horses bearing their weary charges came within view through the dust and wind, the vast greenery of the Wadi Sirhan, and the tents of Sheykh R’Ammeri. The Arabian horses we were riding had inherited their stamina and traits from centuries of carrying these Bedouin tribe members through thousands of miles of desert in their quest for tribal survival. The Bedouin tribe member of the Ruala tribe, who accompanied me on such a harrowing trip, were nearing the tents of one of the horse-breeding tribes that dotted the landscape from Aleppo in the north to the Arabian desert in the south.
“Come with me,” said my guide and special servant of the Sheykh. “I am instructed to assist you. May I take your alfahl almurhaq. (Weary stallion) We are blessed to honor your presence here.” “La Shukran. We need to stay together. My stallion and I appreciate your kind gesture. Both of us need rest.” I exclaimed. Our wounds were treated with the herbs and spices given to me as we settled down under the shade of a date palm.
Yes, I have a passion for the Arabian Horse. This had tested Dazshtan, my trusted and loyal stallion. I didn’t realize, until coming here, how important his inherited Arab qualities are, that comes directly from his desert breeding.
My name is Josie Peters. I am the first child of Mathew and Shirley Peters of Tumalo Oregon. My father is a veterinarian specializing in Equine Reproduction, and my mother is also a Vet in the field of Mammalian Ophthalmology.
My stallion Dazshtan, and I, had survived an experience that challenged us to reveal our strengths and weaknesses.
Here we are. How did we get here? It’s a long story, but it needs to be told.
I remember that morning five years ago in the stalls at the Vet clinic in Tumalo with our mare, RA Inshallah, and her newborn colt, Dazshtan. Our family was brought together for a meeting. My dad and Mike Chapman discussed an urgent situation that had just occurred. There had been communication from Sheykh R’ Ammeri of the Ruala tribe. Our good friend Walter Heuser and Dr. Rahman Marsufi were requested to travel to his camp where it was learned that the Sheykh had lost his treasured mare, Ashreen Arnaza. RA Inshallah, ”Inny” the daughter of the Sheykh’s deceased mare, had been gifted to my Grandpa Mike Chapman. During their return trip from the Wadi Sirhan, Walter and Rahman discussed an honorable solution. On the phone with Mike, they explained the importance of maintaining her bloodline.
Somberly, Mike explained the reason for the important meeting.
“I regret to inform you that the foundation mare of the Ruala tribe, the dam of “Inny” had passed away. I have been in contact with Walter and Dr. Marsufi in Cairo. They have discussed a solution, that I also feel is honorable, as to how to preserve her bloodline,” he noted. “Inny is due to come into her foal heat. We all think she should be bred back to Shahwan to try for a filly. We need to return that precious filly to the desert to replace her grand dam. What do you think Kids?”
Without hesitation, there was a cry of agreement from the family. My dad asked the pressing question.
“Will the Sheykh live long enough to see the result?” He continued. “Isn’t Walter awaiting an answer? We need to get busy, for sure!”
