Iraqis Scramble to Take Horses From Govt.

Associated Press ^ | April 9, 2003 | ALEXANDRA ZAVIS

[Cuttnhorse]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - It was enough to make a Texan president's heart swell: Hassan Atiya, an Iraqi on horseback, riding off into the chaos of wartime Baghdad with a vigorous wave and an exclamation — "I love you, America."

And when it came to horse-wrangling Wednesday, he wasn't the only one.

As forces from the U.S. 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing claimed Fort Rashid, a sprawling compound in southeastern Baghdad, they found among their prizes a field filled with 40 Arabian-Appaloosa horses in brown, gray and glorious chestnut.

What followed was a scramble — a weirdly good-natured permutation of the looting elsewhere in Iraq (news - web sites) this week.

Ordinary Iraqis took to the field and the stables beyond, corralling the horses suddenly available to them. Their scramble — filled with laughter and grins — began early Wednesday and continued late in the afternoon, testimony to the elusiveness of their equine quarry.

"For my mother!" one man shouted as he claimed a horse. Others said they planned to sell their prizes.

Artillery fire echoed nearby through the afternoon, making some of the horses skittish and more elusive. They snorted, darted and bolted as they tried to elude capture.

Nearby, Marines stood guard over parts of the fort as they scoured it for dangers and tried to secure its every corner — including areas where AK-47s and ammunition were found. They kept Iraqis at a distance, but some of those chasing horses sprinted by and jubilantly greeted American forces.

"Bush!" they said, turning their thumbs up as they smiled.

Then the thumbs went down. "Saddam!" they yelled in disapproval. Marines waved and smiled back.

The fort — home to an airfield and athletic facilities, among other equipment — was chockablock with looting fodder. Iraqis emerged from buildings toting chairs, tables, even sofas. The Marines made no move to stop them.

Some Iraqis mounted the horses and were immediately unseated. Others tied animals to fences in preparation to take them away. Groups of men worked together to corner restive animals. The more skilled ones got their horses in harnesses and led them down the road, laughing.

Atiya was one of those who succeeded. As he prepared to ride off, he complained of a life with "no food and no rice" for his two children, his wife, and the third baby on the way.

"I love you, America!" he shouted before drawing his finger across his throat as he said one more word: "Saddam."

Then, bareback and barefoot, he pointed his horse toward the road and was on his way.

[Cuttnhorse]

There are some people over there who know what's really important.

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[martin_fierro]

Iraqis Scramble to Take Horses From Govt.

A bunch of neigh-er-do-wells.

[Publius]

As he prepared to ride off, he complained of a life with "no food and no rice" for his two children, his wife, and the third baby on the way.

But now he's got horsemeat.

[Ciexyz]

Maybe they'll have a grand game of "buzkashi" like the Afghans do.

[Matchett-PI]

[MediaMole]

Those Iraqis are going to eat good tonight.

[gdc61]

somewhere in the back of my mind a nagging voice(incidental pun)is hoping the horse isn't dinner for his family.

[N. Theknow]

After putting up with Saddam's hose$hit for decades, they should finally get the pony.

[Moose4]

I'm just counting the minutes until the PETA press release protesting the failure of the Marines to protect the equine shields...

}:-)4

[Conspiracy Guy]

Glad to see more repossessions in action. It's their stuff and they are taking it back. What I wouldn't give if Saddam was alive and caught by these people and given a First Class Italian former dictator send off.

[nutmeg]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - It was enough to make a Texan president's heart swell: Hassan Atiya, an Iraqi on horseback, riding off into the chaos of wartime Baghdad with a vigorous wave and an exclamation — "I love you, America..."

"Bush!" they said, turning their thumbs up as they smiled...

Then the thumbs went down. "Saddam!" they yelled in disapproval. Marines waved and smiled back.

ping!

[cgk]

Hope that we see pics of this. Sounds awesome.

[Bluntpoint]

Horsemeat: Tastes like goat. They will find Baath jockies a little stringy though.

[Grampa Dave]

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

The Iraqis won't eat the horses. They love horses and are excellent horsemen. I wish there were pictures of this!

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Another great picture!!

[reflecting]

Great post.......thanks.

[rwfromkansas]

and a lot at that.