Sheikh Mohammed reveals his favourite horse

In the 46th chapter of his latest book, Qissati, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, talks about greatest horse he has ever owned.
A Western friend once asked me while we were having dinner after a horse race in the United Kingdom: "You are one of the most successful racehorse owners in the world, what does owning such magnificent horses mean to you?"
I was puzzled for a few moments by his question, not because I did not know how to answer it, but because the answer could not be summarised in just a few sentences. Horses, for the Arabs, are linked to honour, social status and magnanimity. The connection that Arabs have with horses stretches back more than nine millennia to the time when horses were first domesticated in the Arabian Peninsula.
The Arabs discovered that a horse can be one of man's best friends. They found out how intelligent, loyal and patient they were, so they forged close bonds with them. From this bond grew the Arabian horse, known for its loyalty, speed and intelligence.
An Arab treats his horses in the same way he treats his children, caring for them day and night, talking and listening to them. In return, the horse gives him devotion, protection, care, and will not Iet him down in times of need, conflict or adversity.
I owned a horse. He was named Yaazer and he was the finest horse I have ever owned. From the moment I set eyes on Yaazer as a foal, I knew he would be a great horse. It is possible to see the markings of a great horse early on.
He had wide eyes that overflowed with grandness and pride, without even a trace of fear in them. He had strong, powerful eyes, which were kind and gentle at the same time. He was large and arrogant, with a dominant bearing. He could intimidate any inexperienced rider.
I would visit him in my stables in Al Qouz area in Dubai. I would sit there and look at this beautiful creature with awe. He would slide his head under my arm, and put out his tongue so I could give him some carrots, which I always kept hidden on me. Whenever l stroked his neck, he was very happy. I would sit beside him and we would stare at each other.
What pleasure I used to feel when that great giant of a horse shared these moments with me. I was happy just to sit with him there, and look at him with love and admiration, for hours.
hesham@khaleejtimes.com 
In what he is calling his "incomplete biography", His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has broken his latest book, Qissati (My Story), into 50 chapters, narrating 50 stories in his 50 years of serving the nation. Khaleej Times got a signed copy of the book from the Dubai Ruler and every day, we will be featuring excerpts from each of the 50 chapters.

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