Sana’a: Dozens of prized Arabian horses are facing death from starvation and diseases in a remote farm in Yemen due to lack of proper food and medication, a local newspaper reported.
Farmers at Rousaba farm in the western province of Dhamar voiced their concern about the appalling condition of the Arabian horses in their farm, according to a story run in the state-run newspaper on August 23.
Al Jumhuria daily quoted some farmers as saying that the hungry horses and their foals have been put into small stables in the farm.
Basher Al Hubishi, who is responsible for food distribution, said that the horses used to enjoy healthy meals which included fodders, dates and raisins.
“Now, they hardly find dry alfalfa that barely keeps them alive. The regular medical check-ups by vets have been completely stopped which could lead to their death due to disease,” Al Hubishi said.
The director of the farm, Hussam Al Bikhiti, said that they were forced to hire out the horses during the Eid break to save some money to feed the hungry horses.
“This is a difficult situation that should not continue.” he said.
Rousaba farm is said to be the biggest and oldest farm in Yemen and used to breed special horses of Yemen rulers such as the former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
The local Al Masdar newspaper reported in 2013 that as many as 12 highly trained and expensive Arabian horses were smuggled out of the farm in trucks. The locals managed to intercept another attempt and returned the horses to the farm.
