Penned by: Debbie M, SAFE Volunteer
“Most of us enjoy some pampering; and Domino does, too, from his bevy of groomers who currently pamper him three to four or more times a week! Evidence of this includes his welcoming nicker when you approach his paddock, to his often falling asleep while being curried and brushed, along with some occasional yawns and chews … all signs that the Big Boy enjoys his pampering!
Recently, I noticed some markings on the side of his neck while grooming him when the sun hit just right. They were not lumpy or hard, but I had not seen them before so I took a picture and sent it to Lily. Lily advised that the markings were called the “Prophet’s Thumbprint” and are totally harmless. Lily further advised there was some horse folklore associated with the markings so I did some googling and found out from an article in the “HQ Pony Magazine” …
The ancient legend of the “Prophet’s Thumbprint” has existed for generations; and to this day, horses who bear this mark are believed, by some, to be exceptional in some way. The myth evidently originated with the Arabian horse; but today the mark is borne by many varieties of equines. Since Arabians were used as a foundation for so many breeds, some think that lends credibility to the legend. As the story goes, some say Allah commanded the Prophet Muhammad to test the loyalty of his beloved Arabian horses by depriving his herd of water for a few days. On the third day of water deprivation, he set his thirsty horses free and sent them to a watering hole. However, just before they got there, he sounded a fake battle call on his horn. Most of the desperately thirsty horses ignored the call and went to the water … all except for five mares who stopped in their tracks and immediately returned to him to charge with him into battle, thirst unquenched. It was then that Muhammad knew these mares had outstanding loyalty and that their foals would inherit their exceptional traits. As a result, he blessed them with a special indentation of his thumb so that all the world would know of their noble actions.
Could this explain why Domino, a registered Paint, likes to be a leader and a loyal companion to his buddies, along with being pampered by a bevy of groomers which is befitting for a king? This groomer of Domino, who considers the Big Boy an exceptional horse to be around, would like to think so!”
