Saving the Legend of the Atlas: A 400-km Trek to Rescue Morocco’s Endangered Arab-Barb Horse

Faced with severe drought threatening one of Morocco’s most iconic cultural symbols, the Issane Association is riding across the country to raise the alarm and keep a centuries-old equestrian tradition alive.

A race against climate change and cultural loss is underway in the Middle Atlas. The Issane Association, founded in 2013 in Aguelmous, has officially announced the 2026 edition of the Khénifra–El Jadida Trek, taking place from October 6 to 16 under the theme “May the Adventure Continue!” Covering 400 kilometers in seven intensive 58-kilometer daily stages, a caravan of riders will journey from the rugged heights of Khénifra to the Atlantic coast of Doukkala, culminating at the prestigious El Jadida International Horse Show.

A Historic Jewel on the Brink
Beyond the athletic and human endurance required, this expedition is an urgent call to action. The Arab-Barb horse—a ancestral emblem of pride for Zayani breeders and a historic hero of the 1914 Battle of El Hri against colonial forces—is suffering a dramatic decline year after year. The primary culprit is a prolonged regional drought that has driven feed, straw, and grain prices out of reach, forcing many traditional farming families to abandon horse breeding altogether.

Despite these hardships, the Arab-Barb remains a vital and versatile breed, performing exceptionally well in traditional Tbourida (Fantasia) displays, endurance trials, trail riding, and eco-tourism.

In the Footsteps of Ancient Caravans
By tracing the historic trail connecting Khénifra to El Jadida—passing through Sidi Lamine, Boujaâd, Boujniba, Sidi Hajjaj, Settat, Jmaa Oulad Abbou, and Tlet Oulad Hamdane—the trek pays tribute to ancestral caravans that spent months traveling these paths for trade and family visits.

The Issane Association’s mission extends beyond preserving the equine strain; it actively combats rural exodus by promoting local products and encouraging farmers to cultivate climate-adapted forage crops. Upon reaching the finish line in El Jadida, the riders will celebrate their journey with a cultural spectacle, combining the traditional “horse dance” with the vibrant rhythms of an Ahidous folklore troupe.