Sudan's equestrian history is deeply rooted, with evidence of horse use dating back to around 1,000 BC. Contrary to common belief, horses were present in Sudan long before the arrival of nomadic Muslim tribes. They hold cultural significance, particularly among tribes in the Darfur region, where horse racing has been practiced since the 16th century. British colonial influence introduced horse racing, polo, and tent pegging in 1929, which persisted after Sudan gained independence in 1956. Efforts to improve horse breeding included importing Thoroughbreds from England in 1944, but this impacted local breeds adapted to the environment. Sudan faces equine diseases like African horse sickness and piroplasmosis.
The DAD-IS database lists 5 horse breeds currently or in the past raised in Sudan: Barb, Dongola, Sudanese Country-Bred, Tawleed and Gharkawi. There The horse population of Sudan (including Sudan and present-day South Sudan) is probably around 700,000 individuals in 2009. Epidemics of horse sickness and drought represent obstacles to its expansion.
Horses are primarily used for transportation and traction in Sudan, with limited leisure applications. They play a historical role in warfare, prized for their agility and speed, though modern conflicts have altered their battlefield significance. Culturally, horses symbolize prestige and authority, celebrated in festivals and events, especially horse racing. Despite betting being prohibited by Islamic tradition, racing remains a popular sport, with Sudanese jockeys well-regarded for their courage.
History
Equestrian practices are probably very old on Sudanese territory, as evidenced by the discovery of the remains of a Nubian chariot horse, dated to around 1,000 BC. According to Mamoun A. Mekki, general secretary of the Sudanese Equestrian Federation in 1994, the horse was in fact introduced by the Nubians around 2000 BC. Contrary to widespread belief, it was certainly present on the territory of Sudan well before the arrival of nomadic Muslim tribes from the Sahara. The use of cavalry seems historically rare, infantry being preferred.
The horse constitutes a cultural heritage, particularly in the Darfur region, among the Missairiyah and the Rizeigat. It appears that horse racing has been practiced in Darfur since 16th century. During the 20th century, a policy of improving breeding was put in place with the support of local tribes, who participated in the establishment of Thoroughbreds, particularly in the Khartoum region. The English imported horse racing in 1929, and built a racecourse in Khartoum, at the confluence of the Blue Nile and the White Nile. They imported other equestrian practices then unknown to the Sudanese, such as polo and tent pegging. While they had no intention of teaching equestrian sport to the Sudanese, this practice survived the colonial period, equestrian sport being in full development during the country's independence in 1956. According to Ahmed Mekki Abdu, first Governor of Khartoum after independence, the English re-sold their horses to the Sudanese before their departure, allowing the maintenance of large stables sometimes numbering dozens of horses.
The veterinary authorities imported Thoroughbreds from England from 1944, with the idea of "improving" the local herd and making Sudan a country exporting horses to Iraq, Egypt, Jordan and Nigeria, whose officials enjoy seeing tribal horse shows. A breeding centre was created in Nyala, capable of receiving 10 to 90 mares every day. This centre became the main supplier of racehorses to Khartoum, and imported 400 to 500 of these animals annually until 1974. Arabian horses were also imported at this time. This breeding is established to the detriment of local breeds, although they are better adapted to their biotope.
The environmental and ecological crisis (desertification of Darfur) impacts domestic animals as much as human beings, reducing horse patrols, polo, and racing. In 2004, on the border between Sudan and Chad, mounted militias terrorised the population. Many are Janjawid, pro-Arab government militiamen.
Breeding
Sudan has the largest population of domestic livestock (cattle, goats, camels, donkeys, sheep, etc.) in all of Africa, with the domestic donkey being much more present than the horse. Based on figures provided by the Sudanese government in 2009, R. Trevor Wilson estimates, in his study of domestic livestock in Sudan, that there are 784,000 horses in the country in 2009. The Delachaux guide puts forward a figure of around 20,000 horses in Sudan in 2014, the latter seeming unrealistic, in agreement with the numerous errors contained elsewhere in this work.
