King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh has unveiled a rare manuscript on purebred Arabian horses and how to manage and handle them, titled 'Book on the Knowledge of Horse Management.'

The unveiling comes as part of the celebration of World Horse Day, which the United Nations observes on July 11 each year.

The book's preface states: 'This is a book by Imru' al-Qais on the science of management and knowledge of horses, their markings and signs, and the indicators that distinguish them. It is narrated from Imru' al-Qais; may God benefit those who seek it. Praise be to God alone.'

The manuscript consists of 39 leaves (78 pages), with each page written within a red frame, margins or headings on the right of the right page or left of the left page. The main text is written in black ink within red tables, and paragraph headings are in red ink. The book comprises smaller books and treatises on horse management and types. It is attributed to Qanbar, the freedman of Ali ibn Abi Talib (may God be pleased with him), and was copied by Muhammad Darwish in the year 1115 AH.

Opening and Closing:

The beginning of the manuscript states: 'Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds... These are additional benefits on the knowledge of horse management, as conveyed by some.'

At the end of the manuscript: 'If the outer ear remains uncovered and the inner ear remains uncovered, it will always slip away without any defect. God Almighty knows best what is correct, and to Him is the return and the abode... Praise be to God alone.'

The manuscript begins with the Basmala, then praise to God and prayers upon the foremost of the prophets. The book starts with: 'This is a book on the science of physiognomy and knowledge of horses, their markings and signs, good and bad traits, and what befalls their rider of good and evil.' The book also discusses 'colors, markings, white on the legs (pasterns and fetlocks), and everything that may happen to the rider such as injury or death, and describes stubborn horses... about purebred horses and the kuhaylan mare... and recognizing the arrival of good and evil.' It appears that some phrases in the book's introduction are in colloquial Arabic, possibly inserted by the copyist.

Useful Signs:

The pages of the book—which is likely a collection of books and treatises attributed to Qanbar—include several headings, such as: 'Knowledge of Useful Signs by Analogy,' 'This Book Also Contains Knowledge of Horse Management,' 'Three Types of Horses You Should Not Ride,' 'Markings of Excellent Horses,' 'On Knowledge of Horse Management as Conveyed by Some,' 'Book on the Service of Horse Management by the Young Man Qanbar,' and other titles.

It also includes, from page 42 onward, a series of small chapters on treating horses when ill, such as treatment for 'aliq (colic?), treatment for 'dafar' (likely a condition), treatment for hair growth, treatment for eating and drinking issues, treatment for cough, treatment for swelling, treatment for whiteness in the horse's eye, treatment for ulcers, and others.

The book contains comprehensive information and knowledge about horse types and colors, such as chestnut, sorrel, gray, and black, and describes their speeds, shapes, and how to handle them.

King Abdulaziz Public Library holds a large collection of original and photographed manuscripts on horses, including: 'A Treatise on the Management of Fine Horses and Their Stories,' 'Types of Horses,' 'Book on the Service of Horse Management,' and 'Origins of Arabian Horses.'