Maryanne and Nayzak in the desert near Dahshur

Visiting the valley temple of the Bent Pyramid at Dahshur

What is a farm without dogs?

We share space with about fifteen dogs from terriers to Danes, many of them rescues

Try out a new sport...endurance riding

I have horses trained to participate in local limited distance rides held monthly in the area

Take a ride in Abu Sir's most colorful donkey cart

We can pile kids and adults in for a neighbourhood tour. George is an expert hauler.

Negma meets Fagr

One of our fillies, Diva's daughter is just learning who is in the herd. Fagr loves babies.

The equestrian photographer needs a steady base.

Sometimes Bunduq likes some company while he helps someone get that shot.

Nazeer and Nayzak with two students.

We have regular clients for our horsemanship classes.

Bunduq near Sakkara

He's called The Hummer because though he may be low to the ground, he can get you anywhere safely.

Bunduq is a 16 year old gelding. I bought him when he was about 9 and had spent most of his life as a children's lesson horse at a friend's riding school. In that capacity, he trained children in the arts of basic equitation, dressage and jumping. After five years of working in an arena, he was delighted to move out into the desert and farmland. He is my first choice for a novice as he is sensitive to his rider and will slow down or stop (especially to eat!) if he feels that he has a novice who isn't stable in the saddle. He is much more challenging for an experienced rider and can be counted on for a really fun ride. Although he's low to the ground, he's tough and rides like a much larger horse, hence his nickname: Hummer.

Dooby, a big heart in a big boy

Dooby came to me as a gift from his first owner who rescued him when his mother died giving birth to Dooby. We don't know anything about his breeding, but growing up in the pocket of humans has left him kind and sensitive. He's one of my youngest riding horses as a 7 year old gelding, but he has the steadiness of a horse much older. He was originally called Diablo by his young owner, but he is definitely a Dooby rather than a Diablo. Like most of our horses, he loves a good gallop in the desert but will listen to his rider when told not today.

Nayzak (Comet) is a Cadillac ride

Nayzak is an 8 year old grey gelding, the son of one of my first mares (Nimbus) and a pure Egyptian Arabian stallion Belal II, who was owned by a friend. His mother died at the age of 30 after having given many, many riders, both experienced and novice, extraordinary pleasure. He is suitable for riders with some experience most of the time and can be ridden by novices in certain circumstances. He is loved for his smooth gaits and even temperament.

Nazeer (Far-seeing One) aka Cuddles

Nazeer (the Far-seeing One) can be a bit of a tourist. He loves to ramble around looking at things. The son of Mahgoub, a pure Arabian stallion, and my mare Dorika, he is Mr. Steady. He can pace himself on a 40 km ride or give a lesson to children with equal ability. Friendly and outgoing, he's called Cuddles at the farm and is one of our mainstays for novice riders. Experienced riders appreciate his ability to take care of himself and his rider.

Dorika, The Boss Lady

Dory was the lady who brought me back to horses after a twenty year break when her owner gave the three year old filly to me as a present. We both had a lot to learn as she was completely untrained and I was completely out of practice, but she is my right hand woman now. Over our seventeen years together we have worked together on dressage, some small jumps, some endurance, two foals (Nazeer and Fagr), much rehabilitation after various injuries, and mile after mile of trail in the desert and farmland. She is the undisputed boss mare of my herd and as such is the best possible mount for taking out a group including novice riders. Not only does she read my mind to move where ever necessary on cue, but she can easily tell the other horses what it is they are to do in any given situation. If there is anything even slightly dubious in a trail, the other horses will do exactly as Dory does...and she does everything perfectly...even giving lessons to eight year old girls.

Stella, our lady of the fields

With a herd of Arab crosses, a part Thoroughbred mare is an odd acquisition, but there was something about Stella's eye that caught mine. Being off the track, she's had some speed issues if she goes into the desert, so for now she's strictly a countryside girl. She's been with us for about three years now, a tall 15 year old bay mare who has learned a lot about trust. She's brave. I still haven't seen anything that seriously frightens her and she will walk through water right up to her belly...an extraordinary feat in a country where most of our horses are convinced that they will melt in a puddle. Water training is an important aspect of trail work. For an experienced rider with light hands and a confident seat, Stella is a dream with her big, big trot and a wonderful collected canter.

Fares el Gebel (Mountain Horse), our retiree

Fares el Gebel (it means desert horse or mountain horse in Arabic) is one of our few boarders. This close-to-30 year old gelding is in retirement, having a lovely Italian owner who is rather busy with two teenaged daughters. A silvery gelding with red flecks in his coat in the summer, he carries himself with pride and flare, looking flashy with his arched neck and wide nostrils. These days he is Stella's self-appointed guardian and squire.

Layaly (Night) aka Lily

Once upon a time Lily was pulling a wagon in Cairo. Bought for a desert trek in Sinai, she ended up as a riding horse at a neighbouring farm. When they needed a new home for her, they offered her to me rather than sell her into the spiral that could end her up in a pyramids stable. She wasn't used to herd life, but likes it very well now and is a reliable novice mount in the countryside, although she still needs a good rider in the desert. Some things take longer to get used to. She's currently on maternity leave and expecting a foal any day now.

Fagr (Dawn) aka Figgy

I prefer to raise my replacement horses rather than have to buy horses with unknown backgrounds. My five year olds, Fagr (aka: Figgy), a gelding, and Diva, a bay filly were bred by myself and a neighbour respectively. Fagr is the son of Dorika and Nayzak (who managed the breeding just before he was gelded). He is currently being trained at being ridden by the grooms and myself until we feel that he has enough steadiness to be safe for clients even though he is a brave, willing, calm ride. Egyptian Arabians tend to be rather small but tough horses and we don't start ours under saddle until they are at least four years old to allow time for their backs to strengthen.

Negmedin, strength with gentleness

Negmedin (Star of Religion) started out with some endurance riders here and successfully completed a number of races, but when his owners had to move, they wanted to give him a less stressful life, so they offered him to me. Despite his racing career, he is a gentleman in every respect and a big favourite.

Wadi, one of the new kids

Wadi's parents belong to my neighbours and are horses of intelligence and kindness. He was born at my place and spent most of his early years with me. When I had the chance to take him, I took it. He, Shabboura, Diva, and Figgy are in training these days. As they gain experience, they will be considered for clients' use.

Diva, mother of Negmat Sallamat

Diva was a tiny filly when she was given to me at ten months. So slender that one might fear her legs would break when she ran, I decided to let her have some extra time to grow before we began riding her. At almost five years now, she is a solid 14 hands and filling out. We bred her to a pure Arabian stallion, Sallamat (Greetings) and she delivered a lovely brown filly an hour after the sire passed away due to an acute colic. The filly was named Negmat Sallamat (Greetings' Star) after her father and is now weaned and taking her place in the herd. Diva is being started for riding but will not be used by clients for at least a year and a half.

Shaboura (Fog), mother of Shams

What can I say? Sometimes you simply fall in love with a horse. Shaboura is an intelligent mare who will begin work under saddle in about a year once she has weaned the foal that she promises to drop any day now. She already ponies well and has a willingness to please that promises good things.

The Next Generation

Shams (Sun) daughter of Shabboura

Shabboura's pregnancy wasn't planned any more than Lily's or Stella's. But Wadi, who is currently a gelding about three foals too late had other ideas. So far we are very happy with his offspring, so no hard feelings. Shabboura foaled at the unusual time of three in the afternoon in full view of the entire staff and a number of visitors. She may have known at some level that she needed help because within 24 hours we realised that she had an infected udder and wouldn't be able to nurse her daughter Shams (Sun). Shams has taken to a local brand of cow's milk with no ill effects whatsoever, and is thriving. We cured the infection in Shabboura but she had no milk at the end and seems quite happy to have given up the burden of motherhood to the rest of us.

Rayyan, son of Lily

After seeing Wadi's delicate daughter from Shabboura, we were all curious as to how he would mix with Lily, a big mare with heavier bone. Rayyan, Lil's son, looks as though he will carry the strength of his mother, but will have the rose-flecked white coat of his grandmother, Birdy. With a strong mother looking out for him, he isn't the social butterfly that Shams is.

Negma, daughter of Diva

For the next couple of years Negma won't have the cuteness of Rayyan and Shams as she grows into her body. But she will stay a bright chestnut in colour as the other two become grey/white with rose coloured flecks.

Gamoosa, Goats, Donkeys

Gameela suddenly arrived at the farm at the age of four months, courtesy of a neighbour who fell for her lovely dark eyes. Raised with an unusual amount of freedom, she is a friendly water buffalo who loves to be given a bath and lots of scratches. She gave birth to a daughter almost a year ago and is expecting again. When she has milk we have an endless supply of fresh cheese and butter.

The Entertainment Committee: our goats

We maintain a small herd of goats for the entertainment value as much as anything else. Nothing can induce a laugh after a hard day as quickly as a small goat sproinging across the paddock or using a sleepy donkey as a climbing hill. With the goats and donkeys to cuddle, the goat pen is a favourite place among the younger set. Even The Goat Formerly Known As Prince, our billy, is user friendly and will come up and beg a game of "push me". We milk the nannies and produce fresh goat cheese as well.

Donkeys are the mainstay of Egyptian transport, carrying goods to market, moving farmers and their families around the fields. We have an iron wagon recently re-painted by myself and two visitors which is pulled by three and a half year old George. His cargo is usually bales of hay for the horses, other bulky goods, and occasionally friends for a leisurely passage along the roads of Giza. Five year old Margarita is fun for children and small adults to ride with our local donkey saddle. Daisy, now a year old, specialises in untying shoelaces.

The Dogs - Our Administrative Assistants

Equipment and Tack

Horseback riding is one of the riskiest activities that one can undertake in the best of circumstances. This is to be expected considering that riders are working with animals who are at least 7 times more bulky and powerful than they are. We do everything possible to ensure the safety of our clients within this situation. Helmets are available for clients who don't have their own. Our saddles are either American endurance saddles made by Sharon Saare to the measurements of our horses backs or good quality English saddles (Crosby Prix des Nations and Stubben Parcival). For those who prefer, we also have two fleece bareback pads with pockets for cameras, water bottles and other items. Our horses are ridden in mild bits (snaffles and low port kimberwickes), in a hackamore, or a bitless bridle. Our bridles are made of good quality biothane beta by endurance tack suppliers and are virtually indestructible. Every possible care is taken to provide comfort and safety to both horse and rider.

World Travel Award

Recoub Al Sorat, Abu Sir, Giza Egypt +20 12 211 8386
Copyright © 2007,Maryanne Stroud Gabbani. All Rights Reserved