What an incredible experience, Clarice! Thanks for sharing it. I laughed over the camels - that’s a pretty effective marketing ploy. And I love the idea of having someone local introduce you to the hammam and give you a cooking class at home. Your flexibility and willingness to adapt clearly contributed to making it a wonderful time. I’m glad you finally made it to your dream destination!
The Barb is gorgeous. It’s one of the three horses that are the foundation of modern thoroughbred racing - the Byerly Turk, the Darley Arabian, and the Goldophin Barb. All modern thoroughbreds trace all the way back to one of those three horses - so you saw a little piece of living history.
Thank you, Doc. I’m really happy you liked the post. And thank you for sharing the information about the origins of Thoroughbreds. I had no idea that the Barb was related—I just thought it was a beautiful horse. Do you have any idea what you would call a gold-colored horse? The closest would be buckskin, but he didn’t look like any buckskin I’ve ever seen before.
Sorry it took me so long, Clarice! I looked it up and this is what I found:
“Barb horses
Bay: Similar to Arabians, Barb horses can be bay, ranging from a dark mahogany to a sandy yellow, always featuring black points.
Gray: Grey is a particularly popular color in Barbs, and like Arabians, they are born a different color and gray out with age.
Black: Black Barbs are also found, although possibly less common than bay and gray.
Chestnut: Chestnut Barbs are present, ranging in shades like Arabians.
Brown: While the genetic definition can be complex, some sources identify a distinct brown color in Barbs, characterized by black countershading and black points.
Roan and Cream Genes Possible: Some Barbs may also carry roan and cream dilution genes, resulting in these colors.
Flaxen and Sooty Modifiers: These modifiers can influence the base coat colors in Barbs, leading to variations like flaxen manes and tails or sooty shading.”
Based on this, I’m guessing it’s bay, because that horse did have the black points and the gold color was definitely between the dark mahogany and sandy yellow. Really gorgeous!
Your question made me curious, Clarice. And one thing I found that wasn’t on that list is that Barbs and Arabians don’t seem to have the dun or buckskin color, or at least not the way is appears in other horses. Apparently there’s something about being in the desert that’s changed the coloring - sounds like nature doing its thing!
What a spectacular place Essaouira is, full of so many cultures, langages, food, art and customs. Its seems like a real melting pot. Your photographs are also spectacular and so rich in details I can almost smell the scents wafting in the air. I hope you get a chance to return to explore it even more deeply.
Claire! You left no stone unturned! You did the full 'package deal' by your own design. It looks like a wonderful time, complete with camel ride, kite-surfing!, fab food, enchanting shops, and so much more. The photos are great. Look forward to part 2.
Thank you, Jeanine. Spending two weeks in one place gives you the chance to have all kinds of memorable experiences. Which is why we seldom try to visit many different places in one trip.
I’d never heard of Essaouira - and honestly, I’d never really thought about Northern Africa before. I will now though. Thank you for putting it on my radar.
What an incredible experience, Clarice! Thanks for sharing it. I laughed over the camels - that’s a pretty effective marketing ploy. And I love the idea of having someone local introduce you to the hammam and give you a cooking class at home. Your flexibility and willingness to adapt clearly contributed to making it a wonderful time. I’m glad you finally made it to your dream destination!
The Barb is gorgeous. It’s one of the three horses that are the foundation of modern thoroughbred racing - the Byerly Turk, the Darley Arabian, and the Goldophin Barb. All modern thoroughbreds trace all the way back to one of those three horses - so you saw a little piece of living history.
Again, thanks for sharing your stories!
Thank you, Doc. I’m really happy you liked the post. And thank you for sharing the information about the origins of Thoroughbreds. I had no idea that the Barb was related—I just thought it was a beautiful horse. Do you have any idea what you would call a gold-colored horse? The closest would be buckskin, but he didn’t look like any buckskin I’ve ever seen before.
Sorry it took me so long, Clarice! I looked it up and this is what I found:
“Barb horses
Bay: Similar to Arabians, Barb horses can be bay, ranging from a dark mahogany to a sandy yellow, always featuring black points.
Gray: Grey is a particularly popular color in Barbs, and like Arabians, they are born a different color and gray out with age.
Black: Black Barbs are also found, although possibly less common than bay and gray.
Chestnut: Chestnut Barbs are present, ranging in shades like Arabians.
Brown: While the genetic definition can be complex, some sources identify a distinct brown color in Barbs, characterized by black countershading and black points.
Roan and Cream Genes Possible: Some Barbs may also carry roan and cream dilution genes, resulting in these colors.
Flaxen and Sooty Modifiers: These modifiers can influence the base coat colors in Barbs, leading to variations like flaxen manes and tails or sooty shading.”
Based on this, I’m guessing it’s bay, because that horse did have the black points and the gold color was definitely between the dark mahogany and sandy yellow. Really gorgeous!
Thank you for conducting research for me, Doc! I really appreciate it.
Your question made me curious, Clarice. And one thing I found that wasn’t on that list is that Barbs and Arabians don’t seem to have the dun or buckskin color, or at least not the way is appears in other horses. Apparently there’s something about being in the desert that’s changed the coloring - sounds like nature doing its thing!
Nature is endlessly fascinating, isn't it?
Never a dull moment!
Amazing experience and wonderful photos!
Thank you, Richard.
What a spectacular place Essaouira is, full of so many cultures, langages, food, art and customs. Its seems like a real melting pot. Your photographs are also spectacular and so rich in details I can almost smell the scents wafting in the air. I hope you get a chance to return to explore it even more deeply.
Thank you, Janice. I'm really glad you liked the story and the photographs.
Claire! You left no stone unturned! You did the full 'package deal' by your own design. It looks like a wonderful time, complete with camel ride, kite-surfing!, fab food, enchanting shops, and so much more. The photos are great. Look forward to part 2.
Thank you, Jeanine. Spending two weeks in one place gives you the chance to have all kinds of memorable experiences. Which is why we seldom try to visit many different places in one trip.
I’d never heard of Essaouira - and honestly, I’d never really thought about Northern Africa before. I will now though. Thank you for putting it on my radar.
It is well worth exploring!
Was für ein spannender Reisebericht voller herrlicher Fotos, Clarice! Rally amazing!
Thank you, Gabi! Essaouira was really beautiful.