March 2013 E-Newsletter

MARCH 2013 RABI’UL-TSAANI 1434 اﻟﺴﻼﻣﻌﻠﻴﻜﻢ ورﺣﻤﺖ ﷲ وﺑﺮﻛﺎﺗﻪ E-NEWSLETTER 22

ﻣﺴﻠﻢ ﻓﺮﺳﺎن ﺟﻨﻮب أﻓﺮﻳﻘﻴﺎ

Marhabaa~ Welcome! regarding manes, they keep “If someone kills a sparrow for sport, the sparrow will IN THIS ISSUE: We hope that this them warm, and blessings are cry out on the Day of Newsletter finds you in interwoven with the hairs of Judgment, "O Lord! That Q & A good health Insha’Allah. their foreheads.” (Abu Dawood) person killed me in vain! He BEAUTIFICATION Yet we go looking for did not kill me for any useful OF THE Alhamdulilah for our Information, knowledge and purpose." (Nisai) HORSEMEN blessed Deen– Islam. guidance elsewhere, when Sometimes, it takes for a Allah Ta’aala gifted us with That Perfect way of Living, ROCKY new Muslim or a non Eemaan and the perfect in harmony with nature and MOUNTAIN Muslim to make us realize Role Model Nabi under the pleasure of Allah something that we were Muhammed (S.A.W)… If can not be found anywhere LISTINGS given as a gift 1400 years only we would take good but in the Perfect Sunnah of MOUNTED ago through our Nabi care of this Amaanah (gift) our Rasullullah (S.A.W ) and Muhammed (S.A.W). For from Allah. ARCHERY the guidelines given to us by example– Let us take the Allah Ta’aala in the Glorious Where did animals rights NATURAL care of Horses, Were we Qur’aan. HOOF CARE AND not taught about the come from? Where we not So let us all make a TRIMMING importance of the horse taught about the treatment conscious effort to stop and the importance of their of animals by our Prophet looking everywhere else, Good care by Nabi (S.A.W)? Muhammed (S.A.W) 1400 myself first, and go back to Becomea There are various Ahaadith years ago? our roots and appreciate that instruct us exactly so. Memberof this gift of the Sunnah of Of the many, here are two: The Prophet (sallallahu Nabi (S.A.W). The perfect MUEQSA If the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, example for every single alaiyhi wassallam) saw any "Whoever kills a sparrow or today! aspect of our lives is animal over-burdened or anything bigger than that something that we already Emailusfor ill-fed he would pull up without a just cause, Allah have. If only we will learn its alongside the owner and will hold him accountable on our worth and practice on it... say, "Fear Allah in your the Day of Judgment." The Membership treatment of listeners asked, Messenger of We ask Allah Aza’wajal to animals.” (Abu Dawud) Allah, what is a just cause?" forgive us for our Forms. He replied, "That he will kill it shortcomings and accept Membership "Don't cut short the to eat, not simply to chop off our small efforts. forelocks of horses, nor of its head and then throw it Enjoy your ride, Insha’Allah! isSimple their tails, because the tails away." (Nisai, Hakim) Feeamanillah— Editor andFREE! keep off the flies, and Email: [email protected] Fax: 0867300881 www.mueqsa.co.za Copyright © 2012 MUEQSA SPECIAL OFFER Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (R.A) ONLY Three narrated: Copies of Al Asil "A bedouin came to the Available at just Messenger of Allah and said: R190.00ea! "O Messenger of Allah! Including postage Verily, I love horses. Are anywhere in S.A. there horses in Paradise?" Email us NOW to The Prophet answered: get your Copy! "If you enter Paradise, you Normal price- R225 incl. postage. will be given a two-winged MUEQSAHelmet horse made of rubies that Bags will carry you and take you ONLYR80.00ea wherever you want to go." Includingpostage! {Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Sahihah}3001

We try our best to ensure that all aspects of MUEQSA are kept in accordance with Shariah and the base of Please note that the MUEQSA, once opened, Insha’Allah, will have an views expressed in Islamic ethos, making it a safe and beneficial environment for all. Articles sent in by We seek advice regarding Shar'ee matters from Members & Subscribers reputable Ulema on a regular basis. If you feel that we are doing anything against the Shariah or we are not necessarily the could improve in any way, please feel free to bring it views expressed by to our attention so that we may seek guidance from the Ulema and correct matters, Insha'Allah. MUEQSA.

Q: Is it permissible to put a sick or suffering animal down? A: It is permissible to put a sick or suffering animal down, it should be Q&A slaughtered with a sharp knife. MuftiEbrahimDesai Q: Is it permissible to put an animal down if one simply can http://tasawwuf.daralmahmood.org/ not afford to pay for its upkeep? A: If one cannot pay for the upkeep of an animal, he should find Send us your someone else who can pay for the upkeep of the animal. Animal related Questions. We will Q: Is it permissible to feed ones pets food which is not Halaal submit your or has other animal derivatives in it? Questions to A: It is not permissible to feed ones pet food with Haraam. Reputable Ulema And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best. and publish the Mawlana Mohammed Patel, answers here, Checked and Approved by, Mufti Ebrahim Desai. for the benefit of all.

Copyright © 2012 MUEQSA Beautification of the Horsemen CONTRIBUTED BY: and The Mark of Bravery By: Ali ibn Abd Al Rahman Hudhail al-Andalusi ان و ر ان CHAPTER : 5 On the desirable features of the Horse and the desirable features of other animals that it is considered to resemble.

The Shoulders, girth and back and that it is well placed Elevation of the shoulders between the back and the from the withers; visibility of croup; that the position of the the top of the shoulders and pillion rider be elevated above a paucity of flesh on them; that of the rider- for strength protusion of the sides and in the connection between fleshiness of the girth; a short spine and the croup; height in back ie: between the lower the protruding parts of the hip portion of the withers and bones and that they be spaced the two short rib bones at the wide apart; wide, long end of the spinal column; a haunches with plenty of flesh straight spine– the beauty of and skin spread evenly over the back lies therein and them. Abu Ubaidah says that strengthens the horse; that the width of the haunches is the flesh on the two sides of more important than the the spine is high and sloping; height. wideness of the belly area; long, well-curved ribs; ample Arabic Word: ا skin; that the spine is well positioned in the croup– for strength; strength of the end The crest: the roots of section of the spinal column, the forelock hair at the and that the spine is wide top of the mane. with a lot of flesh covering it

BREED PROFILE: Origin: United States Rocky Mountain Horse Colour: The Rocky Mountain Horse is found in all solid Rocky Mountain Horse colours with limited white facial markings.

Height: 14.2 to 16 hands

Profile: The breed gets its name from its foundation stallion, a gaited horse from the Rocky Mountains. The Rocky Mountain Horse was the farmer’s best friend-- pulling a plough during the week and taking the family to town on the weekend. The comfortable ambling, four-beat gait made it a horse that people of all experience levels could ride. Use: Today the breed is a favourite mount for pleasure, competitive trail and endurance racing.

Riding Schools/ Clubs/ Livery LOOKING FOR: Riders to train with in the Eikenhof area, Johannesburg South, near Eye of Africa. Saturdays & Blue Moon Riding and Livery Stables cc Sundays, riding between 10-15km and mixing in some arena Contact: 0835199704 work. This is training so greater focus on trotting to build up Website: www.bluemoonridingstables.co.za the horses muscles and ligaments over the distance. Walkerville Brothers can email or call me. Ridhwaan Mayet M +27 76 805 1157/ F +27 86 552 6267 The Roshnee Equestrians associated with Drumbeat farm and stables Contact: 0834466427 HORSESFORSALE:HORSESFORSALE: Email: [email protected] Roshnee- Walkerville I have a beautiful Arabian x appaloosa mare for sale. Stud/Breeders/Dealers She's 4 years old 14.3Hh Dun in colour. Backed Alhafiya Arabians already and lovely temperament. Will make a Contact: 0845599876 good riding horse for the Website: www.alhafiyaarabians.com children.R6000. Urgent Email: [email protected] sale. Mohammad kadwa Nelspruit, Mpumalanga 0761777867

Al Wadi Arabians 7-9 year old TB mare Contact: Moosa/Yusuf on 0824446857/ Colour: Bay In foal to my straight egyptian 0828114007 stallion (reg Arabian) The foal will be an anglo arab Societies & Associations and can be reg as part bred Arab the mare is currently used as a Cape Show Horse Society hack. She's 15.2hh and is bare Contact: 0713548216 foot ,ahs vaccines and de Email: [email protected] worming up to date, forward going , for a confident rider Reason for sale: I need a gelding in her place as I don't want to Muslim Equestrian Association exert her as she's in foal. Website: mea-sa.mywapblog.com/ Price: R8000 onco Email: [email protected] Contact : Ahmad 0826786845 All Equestrian Enthusiasts, South Coast Appaloosa solid colour Mare, 1year 8months, halter List your Riding School/Club/ broken, not registered.R4000.00 Contact: Ebrahim:0845162457 or Stud/ Breeder here, bbm 28f631a1 FREE of charge!!

We are looking for Muslim owned Horse or Advertise Animal related services. For sale Arab cross Transport, Farriers, your pets Boerperd. Will make a Veterinarians, Feed sale for sale good children's horse agents, Horse dealers, R6000. Stud/Breeders etc… here! Contact: Riaz 0718692878. Advertise with us!

Book 14, Number 2507: Narrated by Uqbah ibn Amir: I heard the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) say: Allah, Most High, will cause three persons to enter Paradise for one arrow: the maker when he has a good motive in making it, the one who shoots it, and the one who hands it; so shoot and ride, but your shooting is dearer to me than your riding. Everything with which a man amuses himself is vain except three (things): a man's training of his horse, his playing with his wife, and his shooting with his bow and arrow. If anyone abandons archery after becoming an adept through distaste for it, it is a blessing he has abandoned; or share of good food – pun on the am by no means a skilled he said: for which he has been word healthy! But don’t be horseman, but I now understand ungrateful. Sunan Abu-Dawud misled, much like our very own the bond between horse and man, sisters she is not an oppressed never until now had I actually felt Respected elders, beautiful woman serving her “owner”. She it …. I hugged Michelangelo, children, brothers and sisters, has a sharp intellect; she is stroked and kissed him once we clearly archery and horsemanship engaging in her discussions, has bonded. The relationship with this hold high esteem in this magnifi- her own thoughts and ideas and beautiful Furs (Steed) is a cent religion of Islam. And so it is shares them confidently. A synthesis of Trust and Respect. with great pleasure and passion woman of Great Spirit! This is a valuable lesson in Leader- that I write this article on my ship. I am forever grateful for this experience at the Griffins training Now let’s talk about Daniel – calm learning that no book could teach camp in the Cape. It was certainly and composed, deliberate and and no professor could lecture. one of the most memorable determined – all the qualities of a experiences of my life, and I long Mujahid (Spiritual Warrior). I have We are truly fortunate in South to visit again. It was as if I reached learnt more than Horse Archery Africa to have someone like Daniel back into the pages of history and from Daniel. I have learnt to be who is taking the lead in this lived if only for a moment the lives more compassionate with my sport, dedicating his time, money, of warriors gone by… but first let wife, I have not been. I have learnt energy and resources to a sport me tell you about our hosts, to be more patient with my which is so close to our faith. Daniel and Lisa Griffin. children, I have not been. I am Daniel Griffin was the first South amazed that a man who is so African to compete internationally The Hosts tranquil can at a moment’s notice in 2011 in Turkey. So ladies first! Lisa deserves many scream war cries and let loose a thanks. She took care of us the shower of arrows while galloping History of the Sport way one of our very own sisters on a horse! It reminds me of the So what is this craze with shooting would - cooking, cleaning, provid- description of Khalid bin Whaled off the back of a horse and where ing the sunscreen and hats as well (Sayf Allah - The Sword of God) I did it all start? as advising and encouraging us. once heard …”he had the patience Mounted archery first developed This is one hard-working woman. of a cat and the courage of a lion”. during the Iron Age. The earliest The breakfasts were sumptuous, Daniel understands horses, I have depictions of mounted archers are lunch was healthy and supper was never met a man who talks to his found in artwork of the splendid. Lisa is a Nutritionist by horses, and they to him! This is Neo-Assyrian Empire of about the occupation so we got a healthy another lesson that I have learnt; I 9th century BC.

Horseback archery traditionally horseback archery as a growing direction or rate of speed. and historically originates from sport and equestrian skill is -Be desensitized to touch, noise the people of the Steppe region, principally based on the Kassai, or and movement. i.e. Mongols, Partians, Turks, "Hungarian" system. There are -Needs to be well socialized and Sythians, Sarmatians and Huns. several competitions and meetings be able to work with other horses. around the world in any given year -Confidence is a plus. A horse archer or mounted archer – mostly in Hungary, Germany and That being said, the Arabian is a is a cavalryman armed with a bow, other Central European countries, favourite. Their agility, speed, able to shoot while riding from but also in Canada, the United sensitivity, and stamina, make up horseback and has occasionally States and also in South Korea. all of the qualities. been used from the backs of other The Korean and the Hungarian The horse is the most difficult riding animals. Mounted archery styles of competition are the two aspect of mounted archery. You was a defining characteristic of the most widely practiced forms are not working with a mechanism Iranian people (Scythians, or device; you are working with Sarmatians, Sassanids) and Indians The Horses another soul. Being tuned into in antiquity, and by the Mongols This is the part that most of you your horse, and them into you, is and the Turkic peoples during the would have been waiting for, if the hardest part. At times, even Middle Ages. you didn’t already start here. the best archers will do poorly at Through the expansion of these Qualities to look for ?..…One of events if they are at odds with the peoples, the practice also spread the most frequently asked horse they are riding. Horses have to Europe and to East Asia. In East questions are, “what kind of horse good and bad days, just like peo- Asia, horse archery came to be is best for mounted archery?” ple, which is very important to particularly honoured in the There is no single breed that is the keep in mind when working with, samurai tradition of Japan, where “best” mounted-archery horse. It and training your horse. mounted archery is called is not in the breed as much as it is Yabusame. about the horse’s disposition and Horse Desensitizing and Training It developed separately among the personality. People practice Techniques: peoples of the South American mounted archery on Arabians, Natural horsemanship is what its pampas and the North American Boerperds, Quarter Horses, all about. Any high-energy activity prairies with the Comanche’s Mustangs, Draft Horses, with a horse requires a lot of being especially skilled. Thoroughbreds, and the list could patience and trust between both go on. Almost any calm, sensitive, the horse and rider. When In the past five years a desire to willing horse can be used for desensitizing a horse to anything, revive the tradition seems to have mounted archery; however, there be it tack, new obstacles or a bow been addressed with the are some qualities to look out for; and arrow , try to make it easy on foundation of the Mongolian -A smooth, regular, and the horse by not pushing them Horseback Archery Association. controllable slow canter, working beyond their own individual canter, and gallop. comfort zone . Horseback archery has also been -Not be jumpy or spooky Steps to desensitize a horse to revived by Kassai Lajos and other -Trained by the use of leg aids, and shooting. 1. Always start warming modern Hungarians. European not dependent on the bit/reins for up the horse up on a long line by

Copyright © 2012 MUEQSA MOUNTED ARCHERY AT GRIFFINS by Mohamed Leach working your way through walk, 6. Have someone hold the horse trot, and canter. Then begin while you shoot in a direction away practicing simple manoeuvres such from the horse, then facing them as turning on the shoulder and and then from a shooting position turning on the hind. all around them.

2. Make big movements and Equipment & Techniques noises, your horse needs to Unlike the compound bow with its become accustomed to all these sights, stabilisers and drop-away movements and noises (even rests the traditional horse bow is though archery is not a particularly clean with smooth lines and noisy sport). Slapping dust from gracious form. It doesn’t even have your pants, arrows moving in the a shelf. quiver or whizzing past. Your horse Thumb Protection & Finger needs to be desensitized to the Protection – plaster, lots and lots of whole package. plaster to protect your thumb. Most archers prefer the thumb draw 3. To get your horse accustomed because of the incredibly fast to the noise and movements you shooting one can accomplish with have a choice of shooting in the this technique. However, there are pen or pasture or outside – the also many archers who prefer the idea being to allow the horse to three finger draw as well. All draw find its own comfort level with the styles are fine for horseback noise and movements and allow- archery. Hitting the target is what ing the horse to move away or the matters. The Thumb Ring has been come closer out of curiosity. Don’t used for hundreds of years, and has crowd the horse! (Warning: shoot proven to be great protection in a direction that does not put against sore thumbs. Thumb rings any person or animal at risk, use also help to give a clean release of blunts if need be. the string.

4. Letting the horse smell objects Conclusion plays an important role in their When Kassai Lajos has wrote that acceptance of new things. After your relationship with your horse is the horse is done smelling and the connection with the outside touching the equipment, begin world and that with your bow is the moving it around, letting arrows connection with the inner self I make noise rubbing together, pull believe he cracked the code of arrows in and out of the quiver, horse-archery. So respected elders, lightly twang the bow string, etc. beautiful children, brothers and Be sure that the horse is not sisters in this magnificent religion of restricted during this time. If a Islam I sincerely wish you all the horse feels uneasy, they will often success with your own personal begin to feel better if they can Jihad (Struggle) and would move around a little. encouragingly like to leave you with the following from The Wisdom of 5. Once the horse is not showing Don Juan Matus … any reaction to your shooting, you “The average man seeks certainty in can move closer and closer while the eyes of the onlooker and calls continuously shooting near them. that self-confidence. The warrior Take as much time as you need in seeks impeccability in his own eyes this step – it is the most important and calls that humbleness.” in desensitizing your horse.

As we all know, domesticated Horses require to have their hooves trimmed every now and again, approximately every 8 weeks, depending on terrain, diet, the natural growth of a specific horse’s hooves etc.

There are two common types of trims (for barefoot horses) that farriers do– One is the Traditional trim and the other, the Barefoot trim. Here’s the question– What Trim does your horse get? Just a trim? Did you even know there were two types? No stress, neither did I.

Traditional trim: The frog is trimmed away, this causes pain at the back of the foot encouraging a toe first landing. Toe callous is trimmed which leads to loss of concavity over time. Heels are generally not kept short enough to allow for frog contact. Outer wall is trimmed flat with no bevel usually. Quarters are not scooped, (basically trimmed so they do not contact with the ground when the horse is viewed standing on firm ground, this allows the hoof to flex.) which can lead to quarter cracks and chips. This trim is basically an unnatural trim- If a horse were to be left in the wild – Its hooves would not wear in this way ever.

Barefoot trim: The frog is seldom trimmed so that it can contact the ground and assists with blood circulation. Toe callous is not trimmed. 45 degree - 90 degree bevel is applied to the outer wall. Quarters are scooped to mimic scoop of the coffin bone. Heels are kept low to encourage natural heel first landing. Diet and environment of the horse is examined and adjusted accordingly to promote strong Front hoof of a wild horse and healthy hoof growth. Barefoot trim= A more natural way. Look at the pictures along side.

The creation of Allah Ta’aala is perfect. Man has complicated even the lives of the animals. The image of the Front hoof of a wild horse shows us exactly how a EQUINE SERVICES 13 years of Experience horse’s hoof is naturally. And recent We Offer: research shows the Exercising For Happy Horses great benefit of Schooling keeping our horse’s Grooming and Riders! hooves as close to that as possible. Ask Natural Horsemanship “Thecorrectway,your farrier if he does Methods used. isnaturesway.” barefoot trimming or contact us and we will De-worming programs Available in try and help you Individual riding Lessons Durban and locate farriers who do A Correctly trimmed on your horses, at your surrounding areas. barefoot trims in your area, barefoot Hoof property. Affordable, personalised Insha’Allah. (Strictly Females and children ONLY ) packages available. Lessons in daily Horse Contact: "All truth passes through three stages. care, Riding, Grooming, +27766543113 / query First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Maintenance and Upkeep, at [email protected] Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." Tack & Equipment. Copyright © 2012 MUEQSA ASplendidCreation… March

SwiftasFlight. This month let us make an extra effort to be .the first to Greet others with Salaam ن Amysteriousbeing… Nabi Muhammed (salallahu alaihi wasalam) said: DescribedwithbothGentleandMight. “A rider should greet a pedestrian, a pedestrian should greet the one who is sitting and a small BeautyandGrace… party should greet a large party.” Al-Bukhari & Muslim Honour,grantedbytheAlmighty, Got any HORSE related Questions? UniqueistheHorse… HAVE YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY Ineverywayseen, A B.H.S INSTRUCTOR/ Ineverywayheard, EQUINE VET Ineverywaydreamtof. Email your questions to [email protected] Send us your Articles, Stories, PraisebetoitsCreator.Allah. -Anonymous Riding Experiences, Gallery images, Falls and All to be published Here! ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS HERE!

Are you a New Subscriber? Would you like to receive our previous E-E ---Newsletters?Newsletters? Email us and we will send them to you FREE of charge! م ارن ارم ‘Oh Allah! Horse riding is a Sun’nah of our Beloved Nabi Muhammad (S.A.W). Help us keep this as our intention, save us from pride, guide us in treating our animals fairly, with kindness and love, making them a source of goodness for us in this world and glad tidings for us in the hereafter, and make it possible for us to learn and teach this Sun’nah to others, solely for your pleasure.’ ا

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