Arabian Horse: An Ancient Breed

                 One of the Other Horses in the Stables

The high spirited Arabian horse is known to be intelligent.  It also has a high carriage and a distinctively formed head. These facts make them easy to recognize and very easy to train.

Physical Characteristics

The distinguishing characteristics of this Arabian are a refined, wedge-shaped head, a wide forehead as well as big eyes, large nostrils and small muzzles. It also has an arched neck with a big well-set windpipe that is set on a fine, clean throatlatch and the combination of the poll and throatlatch was referred to as the mitbah by the Bedouin. They also display a slight forehead bulge between the eyes that was called the jibbah and it contributed to greater sinus capacity that helped the breed in the dry desert of Arabia.

The Arabian horse has qualities that the original combat horse needed and are now visible in competitive horses. The body of this breed of horse is compact. It has a short back and dense bones. Being strong and with sound feet and good hoof walls, he endurance of an Arabian horse is especially notable as they have natural balance, are nimble and impulsive.

Through the Years

These strong foundations are the product of some 4000+ years of archaeological evidence that the Arabian has maintained a strong presence, as its breed spread from the Middle Eastern deserts to most locations on the earth.  And has added it's strengths like additional speed, refinement as well as endurance and good bone, to other breeds through mixed breeding over centuries

The five main historic lines were bred by five tribes. Each tribe would breed and interbreed only one line to keep the pedigree pure. The prized the purebred Arabian horse above all else. These tribes would pass down an oral history of each horses bloodline. In this way they are considered the first to keep a record or type of registry. The lines were remembered through the mares with the stallions holding much less significance. The mares were most treasured because they were used in war because they would not nicker to the enemies horses like the stallions. The purebred mares usually carried no price, meaning they would never be sold. Occasionally they would be given as a gift of honor. Usually, the only way another tribe could get one was to steal them or to win in long desert races. The winner would take the best mares from the loser’s herd.

When the eastern people began fighting the west and north they introduced the Arabian horse to the rest of the world. Coming out of the dark ages the European nations had never seen such small, fast horses. They had been breeding horses for sturdiness and strength to carry a man in full armor. When an Arabian horse was introduced it was highly sought after. The man who owned one was held in highest regard.

The Arabian Horse In America

The first Arabian was said to be introduced to America in 1725.  The first stallion was imported. It was said to have had 300 offspring by grade mares.

Later, Ulysses S. Grant was given two stallions as gifts. He gave one to Randolph Huntington who imported two more stallions and two mares. He bred these, creating the first all Arabian breeding program, small though it was.

In 1893 at the Chicago Worlds Fair, Turkey exhibited forty-five pure Arabians. Two of which stayed in America and became the foundation animals of the Arabian Horse Registry of America.

After this many others began to import and breed Arabians. Today there are over 500,000 purebred Arabians and many, more that are part Arab These numbers keep climbing. Many will forever be devoted to this beautiful breed that has captured so many hearts. It just might capture yours.

For information about the world of the Arabian Breed
Arabian Horses.Org