Help save Rafi and his family!

Meet Rafi, Bahi, Niya,  and Nasr.  Two stallions (intact male) and two mares (females).
These may be the last four of the breeding Jilfan Sitam al Bulad Arabian horse bloodline in the USA.   Their blood traces on their mother's side all the way back to Syria.  
They may also be the last Jilfan Sitam globally.  The clan that founded the Jilfan Sitam al Bulad line is from Syria north of Aleppo.  The last news was that all contact with that clan was lost after the bombings in the fall of 2016.  
These are also Early American Foundation Arabians. This means all their bloodlines come from horses imported into the USA before 1944.  Truly american Arabians. There are fewer than 1000 Early American Foundation Arabians of any bloodline.
Finally, these are Malabar Arabians.  Malabars are a bloodline bred for rare black color, good size, strong bodies and above-average calm intelligent minds with strong empathy for humans.  These are throwbacks to the original "live in your tent" Arabians from history. There are only a couple hundred 25% or more Malabar Arabians left in the USA.
Each of these qualities alone is rare.

Those three combined qualities make these six the last of the last and as rare as horses get.



You might ask, why is saving this band of horses so important.  There are many many horses in this world, and many Arabians.
And you would be correct.
However, as breeders have retired and horses have aged and died, this Jilfan Sitam al Bulad bloodline, and the Malabars and Early American Foundation Arabians - all are at risk of vanishing and taking their unique DNA with them.  Someday, that unique DNA could be the key to solving a horse disease.  Or bringing back a valuable genetic trait.



These Jilfan horses are unusual.  You have to meet them to fully appreciate just how much.  They are conscious beings, intelligent, thoughtful, caring.  Their empathy is very strong.  
East West welcomes visitors - you may come meet them for yourself and decide.  Whether you are able to travel to East West and meet them in person, or must participate from a distance, you can be part of their journey, part of the circle of life and new births and the return of a precious bloodline.

We welcome you to join our preservation family.  

Joint us and follow the lives of the herd, cheer for their progress, have faith and courage during setbacks, and feel excitement for the future babies.





You can be part of the Jilfan Sitam village, a Horse Hero.  You can watch the mares bloom, foals be born, help with the naming, follow their growth to adults.

Please consider being part of their journey and preservation.  Once they are gone, they can never be replaced or duplicated.  We get one shot at doing this right.  

[Note: East West is the caretaker of this herd of horses.   Legally, on paper, the owner is Carrie Eastman, proprietor of East West.  Morally, ethically, East West and Carrie are simply custodians of these conscious beings.
All funds raised will be spent only on the care and preservation of these four horses and their offspring, including securing sufficient land and facilities for the growing herd.
Funds will be spent mainly in Pennsylvania, USA .  Some out-of-state or international spending will be necessary for the breeding program, exhibition, for purchases such as stallion services, genetic testing, and feeds, supplements and other supplies.
East West maintains a separate bank account for these horses, and all receipts for expenses.   East West is not planning to seek non-profit or not-for-profit status.  The Jilfan Sitam horses must be exhibited and compete in shows to raise awareness of the bloodline.  As showing is sometimes a for-profit activity, non-profit status may not serve these horses best.   The horses also earn by assisting with teaching at East West (no forced work, the horses volunteer for what they do) and model for social media.  Any profits earned by the horses will be reinvested back into the Jilfan Sitam al Bulad Preservation Program, and receipts and records maintained as proof.  The goal is to have the Preservation Program supporting itself through guest hosting, paid activities and breeding services.]

Remaining cost breakdown:
$600 registrations/paperwork
$500 genetic testing
$300 stallion services
$700 shelters/fencing
Only $2100 to meet our goal and complete our tasks.

The Preservation Program welcomes sponsors and partners as Horse Heroes.  We are happy to offer publicity opportunities in exchange for your support.  Please see our website for the details of the Horse Hero advertising opportunities.

If you would like to read more about  East West or the Jilfan Sitam al Bulad Preservation Program, please visit the East West website.

www.eastwestequestrianarts.com