Jewelry Designed for Arabian Horses: What Are the Highlights That Adorn a Horse's Neck?

- Jewelry is not limited to what women or men wear, but also includes pieces designed to adorn purebred Arabian horses during the International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, which was organized in September 2026. Hanaa Hijjar, owner of the "Al-Hanaa" brand and stud for purebred Arabian horses, stated that the idea originated from her daily relationship with horses and her observation of the details of their movement and anatomy.

Therefore, the design process did not start from an existing piece of jewelry, but rather from the shape of the horse's neck, its curves, and the movement of its head, taking into account proportions and the way to secure the necklace from the early stages. Hijjar explained in an interview with Afaq News in Arabic that the design begins in her imagination before moving on to sketching and defining its shape.

At this stage, she considers how the piece extends over the neck, and how its elements move with the movement of the head and body, before selecting the materials, stones, and the way they are distributed. The designs showcased at the exhibition varied between necklaces that use crystals, zircon stones, pearls, and metallic elements, and others that rely on simpler and more fluid lines.

They also differ in size, the distribution of stones, and the way elements move on the horse's neck, while some pieces include geometric formations and three-dimensional elements. The choice of materials is not based solely on the shape of the stone, as Hijjar mentioned, but several factors are taken into consideration, including size, weight, color, light reflection, in addition to how suitable the stone is for the horse's movement and the design requirements.

One stone may be suitable for traditional jewelry, but it may not be suitable for a piece that will constantly move with the horse's neck. The Arabian horse serves as the primary source of inspiration for these designs.

In addition to the neck bend and head elevation, Hajar relies on the horse's movement and the rhythm of its steps to construct the lines of the necklace and distribute its elements. Some designs also benefit from details related to equestrian equipment, such as bridles and saddles, without transferring them literally, but rather reinterpreting some of their lines and shapes within the design.

Once the necklace is executed, a different phase of work begins, as the piece is tested on the horse itself while standing and moving. The tests include the balance of the necklace, its stability and flexibility, in addition to the fastening mechanism and how well it stays in place during the movement of the head, neck, and walking.

Hajar pointed out that these tests may reveal the need to modify the design, even after its external shape is complete, as weight may need to be redistributed, fastening points changed, or some elements and stones adjusted according to how they move on the horse. The duration of executing the piece varies depending on its size, complexity, and the number of testing and development stages it requires.

She explained that the challenge is greater in larger designs or those that include a greater number of dangling elements, as this requires doubling the attention to achieving balance. Therefore, some details cannot be finalized through drawing alone, but are determined after practically testing the piece on the horse.

Necklaces are not limited to ready-made designs, as some can be customized in terms of colors, materials, and stones, including crystal, zircon, and pearls. A design can also be developed that relates to a specific horse inspired by its color, features, personality, or a story that connects it with its owner.