The Socio-Economic Retrieval of Horse in Northern Nigeria

Citation: Muhammad, A.T. (2024). The Socio-Economic Retrieval of Horse in Northern Nigeria. Ginshiƙin Nazarin Salon Waƙoƙin Hausa, 82-92. www.doi.org/10.36349/djhs.2024.v03i01.010.

The Socio-Economic Retrieval of Horse in Northern Nigeria

Abubakar Tukur Muhammad
Department of History, Sokoto State University, Sokoto.
07060581139 / abubakartukur3@gmail.com

Abstract: Horse is among the powerful animals that aided economic activities in many parts of the world. It is known for centuries, that people use it in carrying out economic activities. It is engaged in agricultural activities that include threshing, grinding of grains and sugarcane, tilling of land, plowing, watering, etc. Horse conveys both persons and goods to many places for hundred years before the advent of modern means of transportation. Despite the availability of modern means of transportation and technological advancement, the animal continues to remain indispensable. The horse’s role is noticeable in horse race and polo game. Participants derive socio-economic benefits from these sporting activities. The development of horse race and polo game recently in northern Nigeria continues to be a blessing to teeming youths as it has provided job opportunities to them, whereby large number of youths are being employed in the sector to manage horses or serve as horses’ trainers or as jockeys. These sporting activities have also recently revived and developed horse trade in many areas in northern Nigeria, thereby attracting people in the sector which led to massive enrollment in the trade, in order the enjoy the blissful nature of the horse. Horse riding has numerous benefits particularly in enhancing the health body of a rider. In riding of a horse there are mounting equipment which are necessary for riding of a horse. The horse’s parts have different medicinal value which cure many human beings illnesses. The horse race and polo game are very important have been generated socio-economic benefits to many people in northern Nigeria ranging from horse owners, youths and other people who gained meaningful employment where they served as horse trainers, managers, jockeys, etc.

Keywords: Horse, Economic, Transportation, Trade, People

Introduction

The world economy certainly depended upon the use and exploitation of horse-power until the end of the 19^th century and well into the first part of the 20^th century. Today, there are still parts of Eastern Europe and many places in West Africa where the horse remains an essential element of rural life, and in some eastern republics of the former USSR the horse herds support an economy that has hardly changed for thousand years.^[1] Horses moved goods and raw materials such as; coal to feed the furnaces, and foodstuffs for the city dwellers to and from the railheads, people used the railways, and required the services of vehicles such as station cabs, brakes, and omnibuses.^[2] The US and Canada lead the world in the use of horses in pharmaceutical research, and many farms are maintained for that purpose in both countries.^[3]

 Horses in northern Nigeria, are usually trained by making them to move persons and their loads after they reached one and half year. ^[4]Ogunremi, suggest that exchange of horses with slaves dominated the early trade between the Hausa kingdoms and the long distance traders from the north. The external trade of Hausaland was more diversified however, than that of Borno.^[5] The horse which was and still widespread use in Europe and some other parts of the world was of less significance as a pack animal in Nigeria, mainly because of its high demand for warfare; it is symbol of prestige (mostly owned by royalists).^[6]Racing and breeding are labor-intensive. Hundreds of thousands of people work full- or part-time in the industry, including owners, trainers, grooms, jockeys, drivers and riders, veterinarians, van operators, racetrack employees or for supporting industries that depend on it. Some of these jobs involve unskilled or semi-skilled workers, who might be unemployable outside the horse industry.^[7]The horse is used for food, herding, warfare, transportation, communication, agriculture, trade, commerce, pleasure, sport, religion, recreation and numerous economic activities.^[8]The paper focuses on the socio-economic benefits derived from associating with horse in northern Nigeria.

Engagement of Horse in Economic Activities

Horse engages in different economic activities in many parts of the world. In many areas horse serve in agricultural activities or in some other economic activities. For instance, in Europe horses supplanted oxen in the cultivation of land.^[9] Hopkins, revealed that horse’s role in economic activities is highly notified, in some places it is among the animals that were fully engaged in agricultural activities.^[10] The horse brought increased efficiency to shepherd’s life. Man could herd his animals comfortably with his horse. Generally, nomadic and sedentary cultures tended to ride or derive their horses. The horse gave man’s ability to move goods from one place to another.^[11] With the domestication of horse for about 6,000 year ago, the horse was transformed. The horse’s speed assisted man to meet his certain goals. Tribes were united to empires, empires expanded and grew highly, distance travel became viable, and communication became easier and so on.^[12]

            In various parts of the world cattle, buffaloes, yaks, horses, mules, camels and mules are used for transport, crop cultivation, water raising, milling, logging and land excavation or leveling.^[13] At the end of the nineteenth century, and in the early years of the twentieth century, horse and other animal powers played a crucial role in agricultural, mining and transport sectors of the growing economy of South Africa. They were used for urban and rural transport, they worked in the mines and they plowed for both large-scale and small farmers.^[14]     

After 1066 years ago, a shift occurred where horses preferred for hauling and plowing. Although horses could be expensive, a broken- down nag could be bought cheaply and used for some work. They plow the land as well as carry goods.^[15] Edwards also stated that horses have once more played a role in modern warfare. They pull carts laden with possessions as streams of refugees flee before the advance of opposing factions. He further elaborates that both sides rode them or use as pack horses that carried machine guns, mortars, ammunition, and medical supplies along the steep hill tracks.^[16]

Similarly, in many parts of Nigeria, horses are still used extensively for ranch work. They are especially used in areas where the rugged terrain makes the use of motorised vehicles limited or impractical. There are many competitive events, such as cutting and roping that are based in the skills necessary for horses involved with ranch work.^[17] Horses are still used in police situations where they are often used for crowd control. Horses are also used for search and rescue activities. The animals are still used as pack animals, to carry supplies.^[18] Our informant confirmed that horse is being used in their work as Police Mounted Troops, they sought the power of horse in their border patrol where they used to move in rough terrain for patrol and apprehending criminals which is difficult to cars and motorable items to cross.^[19]

In the northeastern part of Nigeria, for instance in Maiduguri, people especially in rural areas perform many economic activities with horse. People use horse to rear the animals where horse aids in guarding the animals in order not enter into someone’s farm and damage the crops. Some people also use horse to attend their personal engagements like naming ceremony, wedding ceremony, turbaning ceremony, etc. Other people engage horse to hunt wild animals in the bush, while local barbers (wanzammai) use it to perform their activities like circumcision, etc.^[20]Also, in Argungu, people enjoy the blissful  nature of horse in performing many economic activities like transporting people and their luggage to many destinations in Argungu local government and Kebbi State in general particularly in remote areas especially for those who have no access to roads.^[21] Furthermore, another informant also confirmed the use of horse in many economic activities in Hadejia area especially prior to the development of modern means but even with the recent development, people in the area continue to engage the animal in transporting their goods to market and some people especially the royalists use it to make tour in their domains.^[22]

In Gombe and other places in northeastern Nigeria, people value horses more than expected, they engage horses in different economic activities like transportation, making mazankwaila(local sugar) like people of Gumel in Jigawa State and Yobe, drawing water from a well and cultivation of land and so on.^[23] However, people use horse to ride for a show in the evening time, others carry out their activities through the use of animal’s power, while some use it for transportation.^[24]

Transportation

Horse had for centuries played a vital role in transportation. It is known for conveyance of both goods and persons in many areas in the world. Mail and goods deliveries were made by horse, and carriage horses, whether privately owned or hired from the job masters’ yards, formed a large part of the horse population.^[25]The horse has four legs, which enables it to crisscross rough surface without serious difficulties. It has a following mane and tail, and in most cases. Sources confirmed that horse has a very stable structure, which makes it convenient for human transport and necessarily the transportation of goods.^[26] The domestication of the horse signaled a major innovation in transport and communication. Horse- back riders carried messages, increasing collective learning as information changed hands.^[27] As a result of some qualities attached to horse, most nomadic pastoralists in Maiduguri and many places in northern Nigeria depended on horses for transportation to nearby local markets where they sell their cattle and get some money to buy goods which they did not have.^[28] In many years, most western and central Sudanic kingdoms depended on horse cavalry for trade with their neighbours like in Nigeria.^[29]

 However, large merchants of the principal mercantile centres had their horses to carry goods to the remote places, as well as the nearer markets, and generally on the main roads, and almost universally by the roads, the conveyance of all kind of products was done by horses.^[30] There are draft horses which are commonly used in harness for heavy work. Several breeds of medium-weight horses are used to pull lighter wheeled carts, carriages and buggies when a certain amount of speed or style is desirable.^[31]The general belief is that, in the early periods, man sat on the bare back of a horse and camel were used to control their movement; because when dragged, the animal feel severe pain forcing it at times to do whatever the rider wanted.^[32] For most human history, there was no faster to travel overland than on a horse. When it comes to transporting people and their possessions, horses have two important advantages: they can run very fast and very far. Their speed and endurance are amassing for a creature so large, making them the ideal animals to carry people and goods around the world. Horses offer other advantages as well, since they eat grass, horses can go almost anywhere that humans can, eating as they go.^[33] In northern Nigeria, before the coming of the white men, people in the region had accustomed of travelling on horses from one place to another for different purposes. Some people in their travelling they used other animals like camels, donkeys, mules and zebras to convey them and their goods.^[34] In the olden times, the means of transportation in Nigeria was by land. Although, horses and camels were in existence and played a very vital role in transportation. It was only those who were rich that could afford to buy horses for transportation and other purposes.^[35]

Travelling on horseback, an important messenger might manage 10-12 miles/hour.^[36] Horses’ riders use horse drawn carts or chariots which could cover huge distances at great speed. As trade routes developed, roads were built to move horses and chariots quickly. Horse-mounted messengers on the ”Persian Empires’ Road in the fifth century BCE could carry a message 1,700 miles in seven days, compared with 90 days on foot.^[37] Another correspondent while recalling the role of horse in the past emphasised that people in Kano for centuries used horse for transport, people rode the animal to go to the market, a District Head for instance, can use horse to go round in his domain, tax collectors also use horses to every section of their particular area and collect tax, etc. So, the role of horse in transportation in the present northern Nigeria remains indelible.^[38] Horse riding is very important as there is health benefit attached to it. 

Benefits of Horse Riding

Horse riding is a sport that is very beneficial on the physical, social and psychological levels.^[39] Horse riding is an important sport that helps one to maintain his back and chest muscles, as well as it gives one required strength and balance. According to the British Equestrian Federation, a 30minute ride burns around 360 calories and helps to calm the stomach, a form of moderate intensity exercise that can be controlled.^[40] Horse riding can improve mental condition too, a spending time with animals is believed to raise the condition and improve it. A horse rider needs to know the movements of the horse well; therefore the riding activates the intelligence and intuitive speed by directing the horse in the right direction.^[41] A correspondent confirmed that horse riding is very important to human body, is a beneficial act to someone’s health. If a person rides horse he will continue to remain healthy because it is an exercise that reduces weight. That was why for instance, in Abuja or Kaduna big personalities nowadays ride horses occasionally as a form of exercise that improves their health condition.^[42]Horses have good visibility. Regardless of intensity of darkness, the rider does not need any artificial light to make it move. The horse uses its natural instincts to detect with ease any obstacle in front.^[43] In riding of horse there are certain equipment which are needed for one to harness it successfully.

Mounting Equipment

In the attempt for a rider to ride a horse one had to get certain items called ‘mounting equipment’. Shuaibu, confirmed that Bwari people were known to have practiced occupations/artisan activities like sewing of the horse saddle which was being decorated and make it easier and comfortable for the horse rider.^[44] Law, in discussing the pattern of mounting a horse affirmed that horses were initially ridden with saddles or stirrups and possibly without a bit. He stated that even the stirrup was a recent invention, it was only adopted by the Arabs (from Persia) towards the end of the seventeenth century A. D. He also emphasised that the saddle and the bit as well as the stirrup were introduced into West Africa only during Islamic era.^[45]

In Taraba, people in the past when mounting a horse pull its mane and so this was termed as hurtful to it. As a result of this, man began to tie rope around its neck and part of the rope will be inserted into its mouth to prevent it from eating while on journey.^[46]Kafin-Hausa, also identified items needed for mounting a horse, such as linzami, maraya, kama-zuru, kwai, ragama, shafirji, tinjima, mundakare, bammomi, hutali, gurunwaya, siridi, likkafa, etc.^[47] Another informant explained that in mounting of horse there is qaimi or rein which is a something made of metal made by blacksmiths and used to be attached on the heels of a rider. The rider use it to gee the horse to move. Despite the nature of the horse such thing force it to move whether it like or not.^[48] Due to the uniqueness of horse, several medicines are made with many parts of horse.

The Medicinal Value of Horse parts

In many areas in the world people use certain parts of horse to make some medicines to cure illnesses on human body or for something else. Bones of horse were ground for fertilizer, after the grease had been extracted to make candles and leather dressings.^[49] Other bones went to make buttons, skin and hoofs were made into glue; manes and tails of horses were used to upholster furniture and to make fishing lines and violin bows; hides were for the manufacture of all sorts of leather goods. Even the shoes put to horses were removed to make a new set, nothing was wasted.^[50] Many products are derived from horses, including milk, meat, hide, hair and bone. Pharmaceuticals extracted from the urine of pregnant mares.^[51]The horse’s dung is valuable in improving crops yield. Some farmers mix it with local manure of other animals so as to yield more result.^[52] There are many medicinal value of horse’s parts as mentioned by Kafin Hausa as follows:

1.Ciyawar Linzami (grass touches by the Horse’s Bit): Women get it and made something as a strategy to prevent their husband from too much unnecessary wandering, and also this will make them to put their husband under control and do whatever they wanted to do with them.

2.Kashin Doki (Horse Dung): People burn it and put on the affected place on somebody’s leg which is hurt by a thorn.

3.Kashin Farin Doki ko na Bakin Doki (white horse or black horse dung): If somebody is attacked by ear pain, the dung belongs to one of the horses can be used after putting in a water for some time to put on the top of the affected ear.

4.Yawun Doki (Horse Saliva): If somebody is bitten by a scorpion, a horse saliva is used to put on the affected place.

5.Ciwon Shawara (jaundice): People use the water that contains horse dung to cure a person affected by the disease.^[53] The development of horse race and polo have led many people to routinely gain both social and economic benefits. 

Socio-Economic Benefits of Horse Race and Polo

In horse race and polo game there are socio-economic benefits being derived for participating in them by both owners of horses, the horse trainers, jockeys and the polo players. An informant confirmed that a major benefit being derived from horse race is satisfaction, one will satisfy his needs in engaging in the race related activities. He adds that people like him and owners of horses mostly derived social benefits than economic benefit such things derived include as knowing people, relating with them and so on.^[54] The informant also went ahead to explain the economic benefit gains by horse managers, he said that owners of horses used to give them N2,000 to N3,000 weekly apart from feeding them. If a horse trained by somebody won a race, the horse- boy attached to it would get 10% out of what the horse won and the jockey also would get 15% as his share. And this has been the tradition for long in many parts of northern Nigeria.^[55] Horses belong to the informant has over the years won many things ranging from trophies, cars of different types and millions of naira.^[56]

A new development in horse related activities where people in Sokoto city hire horses for their cultural activities. For instance, people seek to hire horses at the rate of N5,000 or N10,000 per day to observe their cultural activities like marriage or turbaning ceremonies. This new development has no doubt created an avenue of generating income to horses’ owners.^[57] Another informant also shared the same view with the above correspondent that people in Sokoto hire horses to observe their ceremonial activities. Each horse is hired at N10 000. The drivers also earn something because they collect certain amount of money for conveyance of horses to other places especially if the event was going to take place outside the city of Sokoto.^[58] One person, in his working also as horse-boy or jockey, he trained horses severally and won big prizes that include cars and millions of naira. He traversed many areas in West Africa working either as a jockey or as a horse-boy such countries where he observed horse race in them include Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Cameroun and Cote’deVoire, etc. Thus, he earned many valuable things.^[59]

Simultaneously, most of the owners of the horses were rich people either as big businessmen or high rank civil servants, their engagement in horse race is not for economic gains but rather was for enthusiasm. Another reason which led to their participation in the race was to have relationship with other people of different backgrounds coupled with their interest in knowing each other. If not because of the race one could not approach someone because of his level and wealth.^[60] A former polo player in Sokoto stressed that polo it is only a game one participate/perform only to appease himself not to earn any tangible thing, because the major thing a team could get by playing the game in a tournament is trophy. In many areas in northern Nigeria it was observed that like in Kaduna, people spend millions of naira to buy horses, and employed workers who will continuously be paid in order to manage the horses. Thus, the game is for interest nothing beyond this.^[61] Because of the development of polo game a person will be opportuned to know people, interact with them and able to establish relationship and became friends and brothers. The informant confirmed that he was able to visit many areas in Europe, America and in Africa.^[62]The thriving of horse race and polo have provided numerous job opportunities to many people in northern Nigeria.

Job Opportunities

Horse provides job opportunities to many people. Its expensive nature made its care and management also expensive. The management of horse requires the work of many people. So, many people are employed by horse owners to ensure its comfortability. One boy affirmed that he is a horse- boy, he spent many years working in the stable of a renowned horse owner Alhaji Faruku Mayana in Sokoto city. He stressed that people like him horse-boys (yarandoki) receive N20000 as their monthly wage.^[63] Another informant revealed that his main work which shoulder his needs for years was horse training and jockeying. He emphasised that he has no any means of sourcing income rather than this job. It was from the income earns from the occupation that he able to possess everything he possessed.^[64]

The level of enthusiasm toward horse has pushed many youths to work in horses’ stables despite their background. The development of horse race nowadays in many areas in northern Nigeria has in turn resulted to the seeking of more youths who will work as trainers, managers, coaches, veterinarians.^[65] According to one Veterinarian testified that the level of ownership of horses in Sokoto and in some neighbouring states like Kebbi, Zamfara and Katsina States has made them busy working in various horse stables to diagnose horses and observe their condition or illnesses so as to give them necessary care.^[66] He further stressed that their engagements as veterinary doctors were mostly done by owners of horses who use them in horse race or polo, more especially in horse race where no horse race will begin without they medically checkup of the horses to confirm the level of weight of each horse, whether the horse has taken hard drugs which will give it power above its counterparts and so on.  Their engagement in these activities no doubt pave the way for them to earn reasonable amount timely more especially their talent in that direction was sought in many areas in northern Nigeria.^[67] 

The economic boom of horse race nowadays had resulted to the establishment of contract between the jockey and horse owner. In several occasions a jockey can be engaged in contract to ride a horse belonging to somebody; for one season or more in horse competition. Money of about N500,000 or up to N1000,000.00 could be given to such jockey. During the contract, such jockey has no right to ride somebody’s horse in a tournament without the consent of that person.^[68] Furthermore, in the management of horse there is the work of farriers, they are people who trim horse’s hoof, they wash the hoof, clean it and apply some traditional medicines on the hoofs.^[69] As no exact amount was given to the farriers, mostly they were given N1,000 to N200, 000 or more of each horse treated depending on the owner’s economic power and his generosity.^[70]

Also, there was the work of cobblers who repair and made saddles, bridles and other horse mounting equipment. These group of people also earned their livings through this profession. Saddle is repaired between N3,000 and N5,000 or more. Local saddle is made between N18,000 and N20,000, England/Europe saddle also is made locally about N50, 000 or more than that. Others are made between N30,000 and N35,000 or so.^[71] In the same vain, blacksmiths (makera) also benefited from horse and its related activities where they made certain equipment which are used to mount a horse such equipment made by blacksmiths include snapper, rein (kaimi), bridle (ragwama), stirrups (likkafa), etc. They receive certain amount of money from each item made. There were many blacksmiths who produce these equipment and took this occupation as special and means of their survival.^[72]  Horse is a unique animal, Allah put charisma on it as it provides job opportunities to many people ranging from people who brought grasses to it, cleaners who ensure the neatness of horse environment. Other jobs provided by the horse were it provided a job to the people who bring water for it to drink or to be washed by a horse manager and the trainers who train the horse to acquire skills defending from which group of horses such horse falls, etc. All the above people perform their duties and earn their livings.^[73]

Recent Development of Horse Trade

Horse trade is among the oldest trade that has been practiced by the people in Hausaland for centuries. Horse was among the articles of pre-colonial trade that connected different areas. With the development of modern means which replaced the horse and other pack animals’ role in transportation and other activities led to the diminishing of the trade. But recently, the trade also began to secure its lost glory especially with the recent development of horse race and polo activities. The recent development of the race has resulted to the hike of horse price especially the one which was used in horse race (sukuwa) and this led to massive enrollment in the trade sector to enjoy its profitability.^[74] The recent development of horse race has raised the status of horse and made it to be expensive. An informant confirmed that he in 20 years back bought a horse at the rate of N8,000 but now (in 2022) such horse can only be purchased from N500,000 to N700,000.^[75]

Horse is very expensive and its expensive nature made the horse trade a profitable one that was why people were trooping in the sector. The informant testified that just recently he spearheaded the purchase of a horse at Yola in Adamawa State at the rate of N6000,000. On return he gave a commission (la’ada) of N280,000.^[76] In Hadejia, people valued horse more than expectations and many youths have ventured in horse trade due to the recent upsurge of the trade because of the development of horse race and polo game. There were people who have no job or means of survival except horse trade.^[77]

Conclusion

Horse is a very important animal and among the beast of burden which played and still playing an important role in numerous activities in the world. Horse is being used by many people in northern Nigeria in economic activities. Its role had in the past, served as means of transport that carried both goods and persons. Even with the development of modern means, horse has continue to play an essential role in both economic activities and transportation. The development of horse race and polo in northern Nigeria continues to provide job opportunities to many people in the region. These have certainly played a significant role in uniting many people together, many youths were co-opted in horse related activities. People of different backgrounds were opportuned to relate and know each other through the race no matter which position they occupied. People in the region routinely enjoying the bounty nature of both horse race and polo game, this served as prelude for gaining employment to many people and some became wealthy individuals because of their participation in these activities. Also, recently horse trade recovered its lost glory and developed. Thus, the development of horse race led to massive engagement of people in horse trade in order to enjoy the dividend of the recent upsurge of the trade which was facilitated by these sporting activities

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[1]Elwyn Hartley Edwards, The Encyclopedia of the Horse, London: Dorling Kindersley, 1994, p. 249.

[2]Ibid, p. 250.

[3]Ibid.

[4] Ibrahim Hamza Muhammad, “Unguwan Doki: a Training Ground for Diverse Horses”, Daily Trust, Wednesday, May 2, 2018.

[5] Gabriel Ogundeji Ogunremi, Counting the Camels; the Economics of Transportation in Pre-Industrial Nigeria, USA: Nok Publishers International Limited, 1982, p. 23.

[6]Ibid, p.96.

[7]Racing-Industry.www.html. Accessed 16/3/2019.

[8] Gloria Austin, The Role of Horse in Human Activities, www.equineheritage. Retrieved 22/10/2018.

[9]Elwyn Hartley Edwards, The Encyclopedia of…, p. 256.

[10] A. G. Hopkins, An Economic History of West Africa, London: Longman Group Ltd., 1973, p. 74.

[11] Gloria Austin, The Role of Horse in Human…

[12]Ibid.

[13] Paul Starkey, “The History of Working Animals in Africa”, being a paper presented of Centre for Agricultural Strategy, University of Reading, n. d., p. 1.

[14]Ibid.

[15] EarliestHorsesUsedinAfrica.www.org. Retrieved 12/12/2018.

[16]. Elwyn Hartley Edwards, The Encyclopedia of…, p. 362.

[17] Horses-Used-for-Work-purposes.www.uk. Accessed 13/8/2019.

[18]Ibid.

[19] Yusuf Ahmed (O/C Mounted Troops), Years 55, Interviewed at Alrkilla Police Barrack, Sokoto, 2/11/2022.

[20]Muhammadu Modi Mustapha (Mala Haya), Years 51, Interviewed at Talwari, Maiduguri, 7/12/2022.

[21]Inuwa Magaji (Shamakin Argungu), Years 51, Interviewed at Argungu Town, 5/12/2021.

[22]Alhaji Haruna Usman (Shamakin Hadejia), Years 50, Interviewed at Emir’s Palace, Hadejia, 19/11/2021.

[23]Alhaji Baffawo Shehu (Sarkin Dawakin Gombe), Years 50, Interviewed at Gombe, 10/12/2021.

[24]Alhassan Muhammad Magama, Years 30, Interviewed at Hadejia, 19/11/2021.

[25]Elwyn Hartley Edwards, The Encyclopedia of …, p. 252.

[26] Richard Tanto Talla, “Animal Transport in the Early Indigenous Market Economy of Northern Nigeria”, in International Journal of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education (IJHSSE), Volume 1, Issue 1, 2014, p. 4.

[27] A-Little-Big-History-of-Horses.www.org. Accessed 12/9/2018.

[28]Elwyn Hartley Edwards, The Encyclopedia of…, p.5.

[29]Ibid.

[30]Gabriel Ogundeji Ogunremi, Counting the Camels…, p. 34.

[31]Ibid.

[32]Ibid, p. 9.

[33]www.Horselabels.org. Accessed 3/9/2018.

[34] E. M. Rimmer et al, Zaman Mutum da Sana’arsa, Zaria: Northern Nigerian Publishing Company, 1966, p. 183.

[35]www.Transportation-system-in-Nigeria:Old-and-Modern. Retrieved 5/5/2018.

[36]Ibid

[37] Transportation-on-along-Silk-Road.www.html. Retrieved 12/2/2019.

[38]Aminu Umaru (Majasirdin Kano), Years 57, interviewed at Emir of Kano’s Palace, 20/11/2021.

[39]Istidalat, Arrabidatul Wulayatil Lil Farusiyabil Wadliy, 1/10/2022.

[40]Ibid.

[41]Ibid.

[42] Dan Malka, Years 65, Interviewed at Zoramawa Area, Sokoto, 30/11/2020.

[43] Richard TantoTalla, “Animal Transport in the Early Indigenous…”.

[44]. Shuaibu Naibi, “Sarkin Zazzau Abuja”’ in Mazan…, p. 48.

[45]. Robin Law, “Horses, Firearms and Political Power in Pre-Colonial West Africa, in Past and Present”, No. 72, August, 1976, p. 117.

[46] Richard Tanto Talla, “Animal Transport in the…”, p. 9.

[47] A. U. Kafin Hausa, “Sunayen Dawaki da Kayan Hawa”, Centre for the Study of Nigerian Languages, Bayero University, Kano, 1977, pp. 10-22.

[48]Abdullahi Muhammad (Akawaman Sarkin Musulmi), Years 50, Interviewed at Zoramawa Area, Sokoto, 17/5/2023, see Allan G. B. Fisher and Humprey J. Fisher, Sahara and Sudan, Volume II, London: Hurst and Co. Ltd., 1980, p. 209. The authors adds that there were harness-makers who sell straps for horse bits and neck ornaments.

[49]Elwyn Hartley Edwards, The Encyclopedia of …, p. 253.

[50]Ibid.

[51]. www.Horse-Wikipedia.org. Accessed 6/5/2017.

[52]Abubakar Dawakin Gwandu, Years 65, Interviewed at Birnin Kebbi, 6/12/0221. Also, Alhaji Ibrahim Bashar (Galadiman Gwandu), Years 83, Interviewed at Birnin Kebbi, 6/12/2021 share the same view.

[53] A. U. Kafin Hausa, “Sunayen Dawaki…”, p.17.

[54]Alhaji Faruku Mu’azu Mayana, Years 55, Interviewed at Labela Kalambaina, Sokoto, 14/9/2022.

[55]Idem.

[56]Idem. The informant confirmed that his horses secured more than one hundred cars and a source confirmed that, it was as a result of that he engages in the business of selling cars of different sorts. No one in Africa has his status in winning horse race. 

[57]Shamsu Chairman, Years 30, Interviewed at ‘Yar Katanga Area, Sokoto, 1/12/2022.

[58]Shehu Jekada (Dan Dunkule), Year 61, Interviewed at ‘Yar Katanga Area, Sokoto, 11/1/2023.

[59]Muhamadu Lawwali (Danjumma)…

[60]Abubakar Galadima, Years 48, Interviewed at Katsina, 13/12/2022.

[61]Alhaji Aminu Dan Bagadas (Dan Autan Polo), Years 63, Interviewed at Zoramwa Area, Sokoto, 27/12/2022.

[62]Idem. Also, Faruku Koko, Years 51, Interviewed at Gawon Nama Area, Sokoto, 23/1/2023 and Abdullahi Haruna, Years 65, Interviwed at Anguwan Doki, Kaduna, 12/11/2021 shared the same view with the above correspondent and further stressed that the engagement of people in these activities, thereby spending millions of naira without in return getting any economic benefit.

[63]Muhamad Bello (June 12), Years 36, Interviewed at Durbawa Town, Sokoto, 2/1/2023. The engagement in horse related activities was because of enthusiasm for horse not because of money in considering the meagerness of the amount being collected as their allowance weekly or monthly. Many people interviewed on the course of the research confirmed to me it was their love to horse that pushed them to work as horse managers or horse-boys.

[64]Muhamadu Lawwali (Danjumma), Years 37, Interviewed at Durbawa Town, 2/1/2023.

[65] Mubarak Bello (Veterinarian), Years 37, Interviewed at Agency for Poultry, Sokoto, 13/4/2022.

[66] Mustapha Haliru (Veterinarian), Years 45, Interviewed at the Ministry of Animals Science, Sokoto, 23/12/2021.

[67]Idem.

[68]  Group Interviewed at different horse stables in Durbawa, Sokoto, 2/1/2023.

[69] Group Interviewed at Kano, Katsina, Zaria, Kebbi, Argungu, Maiduguri and Sokoto, from 1/12/2022 to 23/ 12/2022.

[70]Aliyu Muhammad, 50 Years, Interviewed at Tsehe Town, Sokoto, 23/5/2023.

[71] Dan Tawaye (saddle maker and repairer), Years 50, Interviewed at Minanata Area, Sokoto, 12/6/2023.

[72]Malam Muhammadu Maikayan Dawaki, Years 70, Interviewed at Sokoto Central Market, Sokoto, 15/4/2023. There was no exact price of each equipment as the informant does not want to reveal the information with regard to this, even the blacksmiths do not want tell the exact price of the items.

[73]Aminu Garba (Dala), Years 45, Interviewed at Gaskiya Road, Zaria, 18/11/2021.

[74]Abubakar Galadima…

[75]Alhaji Abubakar (Turaren Katsina), Years 50, Interviewed at Katsina, 12/12/2022. Also  Alhaji Bello Bawa Sodangi Kalfu, Years 48, Interviewed at Minanata Area, Sokoto, 6/11/2021, confirmed that the price of horse was rising up and this must be connected with the recent development of horse race which in turn led to the thriving of horse trade as well pave a way for participants to earn more income hitherto. 

[76]Faruku Bagudu, Years 52, Interviewed at Emir Yahya Road, Birnin Kebbi, 6/12/2021.

[77]Ahmadu Ashaka, Years 31, Interviewed at Hadejia, 19/11/2021.

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