Archive 4 - 2001

In November we bid goodbye to DA Royal Damia, and welcomed Sonimoniet RSI to the ranch. We have a daughter of Sonimoniet here, bred to Serr Serabaar and we are really excited to see what Sonimoniet will produce with out DB Destiny Moniet & Sonyet daughters.

The kind and willing nature of the Al Khamsa Arabians is exemplified in the mare Gullnar.

Many years ago we owned 2 grey mares, Rikki & Gullnar. Rikki was a general list mare, very well trained & my husbands riding horse, while Gullnar knew how to lead and load, period! While out of town I had a young friend, Kim, house sit for me. She had ridden Rikki before, and was invited to go riding while we were away. The kids met at our house where Kim caught, saddled, bridled and rode Rikki. Later, as Kim was relating this story to me she commented what a pill Rikki had been, refusing to go forward at first and acting like she didn't know what Kim was asking of her. They were finally able to get the mare to go by letting her follow the other horse. They rode down the side of the highway, along a canal, through a big field, through belly deep weeds, jumped across a drainage/irrigation ditch then reversed their course to come home.

As Kim was relating this story to me, I was standing out in the pasture with Gullnar resting her head over my shoulder enjoying a good scratch. Kim concluded her story by addressing the mare I was scratching and saying "Rikki, you were a pill!" I paused in my scratching and said "Kim, this isn't Rikki, this is Gullnar." Kim got an odd look and asked if Gullnar had ever been ridden before. When I replied no, that Gullar hadn't yet been put under saddle Kim replied "She has now!" This willing little mare accepted a saddle, a curb bit, a rider, all sorts of road hazards with no fuss, only balking at the fact she didn't know what was expected of her. For her second ride, we taught her how to steer. Many miles and years later we still laugh about her start under saddle.

May 6th found us completing the 2nd Annual Hoof It For a Cure! pledged trailride to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. We had over 200 riders and raised over $29,000 to support JDRF. The weather cooperated with a warm spring day and not a cloud to be found. Riders dined on roasted pig, squabbled good-naturedly over a silent auction and carried home prizes from the ride raffle.

Hazira El Shams
June 30, 1984 - April 27, 2001

April and May have been busy. On April 27, 2001 we said goodbye to an old friend when the mare Hazira El Shams died due to foaling complications. She was one of the foundations to our Al Khamsa program and always produced outstanding foals. During the 16 years she lived with us she produced 10 foals. Her last - Haziras Finale (X Sonyet) - was literally taken from her dying mother. This unstoppable orphan is eating from a bucket and has been adopted by Shanna's mare Shikos Shadow. Shadow likes to steal babies, so we let her have this one. It was love at first sight!

A week later, on May 4, Mnaloha Moniet decided to surprise us by foaling 3 weeks early on a day I really didn't need any additional projects. She produced a chestnut colt sired by Impressive Destiny. He is a pretty young fellow, and friendly.

Finally, on May 9th we had a text book delivery (about time!!) when DA Fancy Destiny had a big, beautiful bay filly by Sonyet. No name yet, but watch out for this filly. I think you will be hearing from her! She is a granddaughter to Hazira El Shams and 3/4 sister to our orphan.

We have a new arrival here - the stallion Alnaszrs Ali LHF "Coco" (Alnaszr RSI X Kualice RSI) has come for a few months visit to see the lovely ladies of Destiny Arabians. Our thanks to Jan Sorrell of Silver Moments Arabians for sharing this charmer with us. Check out Jan's page to see photos of her new filly by Coco.

February 10th saw us waving goodbye to two of our yearling fillies. DA Bunnee Moniet and DA Tanemone have gone to live with Ann & Dan McGregor of Kuna, Idaho. My girls made me proud - stepped right up into the horsetrailer and set off down the road with only a little hollaring goodbye. I love that reasonable Al Khamsa mentality!

Our Thanks to Heather Brown for sharing an excellent reference paper on Lavender Foal Syndrome. It is informative and easy to understand. Hopefully with the spread of information we can learn to identify carriers and avoid this heartwrenching problem.

Also visit our page of SCID Information for a simple, understandable explanation & definition of another genetic lethal common to Arabian horses, though at this time undocumented in Al Khamsa Arabian horses.

Bob & Sheila Harmon
P.O. Box 1180 - Eagle, Idaho 83616
(208) 322-8474 - (208) 866-1024
800-327-6540
E-Mail to: Sheila@DestinyArabians.com
Web Page: www.destinyarabians.com