Silsilah as-Sahihah 2120 — Caring for horses for jihad

Sayyiduna Suwadah bin Rabi’ (may Allah be pleased with him) says that I came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and he ordered some camels for me and said: “Order your sons to cut their nails so that the udders of the she-camels and other livestock are not harmed, and also tell them to milk them and leave some for their young ones, lest due to famine they become weak and feeble.” Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked: “Do you have any wealth?” I said: Yes, I have wealth, horses, and slaves. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Continue to take care of the horses, keep them ready for border protection. Goodness is tied to the forelocks of horses.”