In the Shahnameh, the tenth Century Persian Epic by the poet Ferdowsi, the hero Rustum rides Rakhsh, a beautiful dappled stallion with a black mane and tail. They have many adventures together. Rakhsh meant ‘lightning’ and the horse would not allow anybody apart form Rustum to ride him. His owner described the magnificent steed as follows:
Its body was a wonder to behold,
Like saffron petals ,mottled red andgold.
Brave as a lion ,a camel for its height,
An elephant in massive strength and might.
Rakhsh Saves Rustum from a Lioness c. 1500
The text and photo for this post are from Kathleen Walker -Meikle’s book The Horse Book, Horses of historical distinction.
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