Page 15 - THE SLOUGHI REVIEW Special Edition 5

T H E S L O U G H I R E V I E W 1 5

He mounts his stallion and followed by his faithful, accompanied by his sloeqis, he goes on
the gazelles. The sloeqi hunts by sight; a trait they betray even now in Holland by always
running up any hill or elevation in order to explore a large area. Woe to the hare or gazelle
that is spotted, its seconds are numbered; ahead rushes the sloeqi as fast as possible followed
by the gang of horsemen, quite an appearance of white, red, green and gold and whirling
sand. And when the prey is seized, a servant descends, takes the sloeqi's catch and gives him
some entrails as a reward.

This is the most common way of hunting. However, if the Arab wants to obtain large
antelopes (Antilope Addax) then the dog is placed on the front of the saddle. The reins are
held with the right hand and the dog's collar with the left hand and on it goes at full run after
the swift game.

But even the best Arabian stallion, burdened with its rider, could not overtake a large
antelope. When horse and antelope are tired, both lose their first strength and freshness, the
moment has come for the sloeqi. At full run, the Arab lets go of the leash of the dog, which,

due to its sandy colour, ties in with the ground in such a way that it is usually noticed far too
late by the antelope, which is now posed and caught by the former.

A third method of hunting is on foot with sloeqis that have learned to retrieve. Certainly not
the least pleasant way. So especially it is a pleasure to admire the beautiful running, the high
and far jumps, the repeatedly exploring terrain as the Englishman enjoys his pointer or setter
in his flanking, standing, pulling and downing and everything that belongs to his labour.

The sloeqi is practised at an early age. At the age of three months, he learns to playfully grasp
a jerboa. The jerboa is a rodent the size of a rat, but in shape completely equal to the
kangaroo; short forelegs, very long hind legs, long tail. Sometimes thousands of these cute
little animals can be seen buzzing through the plains, always using only the long hind legs,
just like the flying kangaroo. The Arab hinders a jerboa in its movement by tying a string
around its hind legs and there it is, the first game for the sloeqi. Later follows a young hare

and so follows the bigger and faster game. Especially when the dog will later have to retrieve,
he gets used at a very young age to handing over the caught game, then, in exchange for
some delicacy, bringing it to the master.

Because, with gentleness, even in dressage, everything, with coercion, “par force dresseur”,
little can be done from the sloeqi.