Push To Rescue Rarest Horses in America

  GARDNERS, PA - 01/24/2018 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

Nestled in a small community near Gettysburg is a farm you could easily drive by without noticing, yet four of the five rarest horses in America call it home. And they are in desperate need of help.

Imagine The Black Stallion as the last of his kind. Well that is what is happening as Rafi (that’s him below) is the last Stallion of his kind; a rare breed of Black American Arabian horse. In 2002, he was named one of the Top Twenty Juvenile Sires In The World, now his owner just wants to make certain he isn’t the last of his kind. 

Right now Rafi is not completely alone. Three mares also live on the East West Equestrian Arts farm. One is a senior female (Mirya) who is still recovering from illnesses and two are in their prime (Bahi and Niya). 

In fact, Bahi is pregnant by Rafi and is expected to give birth around the Fourth of July of this year. A real Yankee Doodle Baby but right now his mother-to-be needs special feed and prenatal vitamins to survive the winter and spring safely.  East West is also trying to rescue a fourth mare, but so far has been unable to secure the funds.

Three reasons why is it important to save these horses?

First, these horses are what is known as Early American Foundation Arabians (horses imported into the USA before 1944).  There are fewer than 1000 of these in the USA. The breed might be known as “Arabian” but these horses are true Americans who deserve to be saved.

Secondly, Rafi and his mares may be the last five of this type of Arabian horse in the world  Technically known as Jilfan Sitam, they trace their ancestry on their mother's side all the way back to Syria.  Contact with the Jilfan Sitam group was lost after the fall 2016 bombings.  

But finally, these are Malabar or Black Arabians which is actually really rare, as in less than 200 in the world rare. Not just about color, Black Arabians also have strong bodies, above-average intelligence, and strong empathy for humans. A perfect example of their intelligence is Rafi allowing our photographer to lie at his feet and take pictures. 

These are throwbacks to the original "live in your tent" Arabians from history.  Most consider an Arabian that is a quarter Black to be rare, Rafi and his mares are three quarters Black Arabian!

As rare as a horse can get

All of these make saving these rare rare animals urgently necessary. Their three unique traits are at risk of vanishing and taking their rare DNA with them. Someday, that unique DNA could be the key to solving a horse disease. Or bringing back a valuable genetic trait.

Help is needed urgently

Carrie Eastman, owner of East West Equestrian Arts, is tirelessly working to save these amazing animals. She also works tirelessly on this farm that hosts an AirBnB, Glamping Cabin, a herd of Fainting Goats (which were featured in a USA Today article), a flock of both ducks and chickens, and regularly teaches classes on care of both goats and horses. She has also written a book on goats and has a second book on horses (both published by Acres USA) coming out in Spring 2018. 

“We need help, quickly, to keep this program moving forward. If we can spread the news about these amazing horses and raise the necessary funds, we can save them now and for future generations.  Every day, we are humbled and thankful for the assistance that appears” - Carrie Eastman

Getting the world to learn about the Rafi and his mares, their unique rarity, and need for support is vital. More informations about East West Equestrian Arts and the Restore Rare Arabian Horses GoFundMe campaign can be found at www.eastwestequestrianarts.com, www.facebook.com/eastwestequestrianarts, and www.gofundme.com/jilfansitamalbuladpreservation. Media Kit Link - app.xtensio.com/folio/9nehhexb

CONTACT: Carrie Eastman  info@eastwestequestrianarts.com 717-528-9973 (O) 717-357-0591 (C)