The Prophet’s Thumbprint
My pony Texas has an indentation in the right side of her neck. She’s had this dent since I bought her, and I always figured it was some kind of polo battle scar that she got during her high goal days. Yesterday a gal I play polo with said that a pony she just bought has the same mark, so she did some research and found out it’s called a “Prophet’s Thumbprint.” One explanation I found:
It is said that Mohammed once tested his Arabian horses by depriving them of water for several days. He then let them all free near a watering hole, and they rushed to drink. Before they reached the water, he sounded his trumpet to call them, and only five mares returned. These five loyal mares were cherished and kept for breeding, the only ones fit to pass on their bloodlines. It is said that he pressed his thumb into their necks, marking them. Horses with thumbprints are thought to be “blessed.” In Thoroughbreds, this mark is considered to be a sign of speed and luck.
No wonder everyone loves my lucky dented pony.
January 8th, 2010 at 6:43 pm