Arabian Horses – Discover Some Amazing Facts About the Arabian Horse
Arabian horses are the oldest purebred horse in the world and also, the most influential. Their blood lines have been used to improve many other well-known breeds throughout the world today.
In fact all Thoroughbreds in the world today can trace their ancestry through to 3 Arabian sires that were imported to England between 250 and 300 years ago. They were The Byerley Turk (about 1684-90), The Darley Arabian (1700) and The Godolphin Arabian (1730).
There are many different lines within the Arab breed. One of the most famous lines is the desert stock, which is also known as the Original or Elite Arab, bred by the nomadic tribesmen, the Bedouin. They needed a horse tough enough to handle the rigours of life in the desert – hunting, battles etc. – but also beautiful enough to be proud of. Very selective breeding methods were used over centuries to achieve this.
Other well-known lines included the Persian (or Crabbet), Egyptian and Polish. The Crabbet and Polish lines tend to be more solid, & less ‘extreme’ with their features, than the Egyptian Arab.
Breed Features
- Sure footedness on rough going.
- Refined head.
- High tail carriage
- The ability to exist on a sparse diet.
- Intelligence.
- Stamina/endurance.
- Hereditary soundness
- Speed
The head of Arabian horses tends to be short, with a prominent forehead, a concave face and a small muzzle. The eyes are set well apart and are large, almost ‘poppy’ in appearance. They have a deep jaw line and the ears are small, alert and curved.
They have a beautifully curved neck (Egyptian Arabs tend to have a slightly longer neck than the other lines) which comes into a short, strong back. They have a broad chest and a deep girth which provides a large chest cavity – essential when used in extreme desert conditions.
Perhaps one of the most well-known features of the Arabian horses, is their high tail carriage. Not so easily noticed though, is the fact that Arabian horses have one less lumbar vertebra in their backbone – 5 instead of 6 – than other horse breeds, and also 1 less rib.
Common Uses
The Arabian horses are perhaps most well-known for their success in endurance riding around the world. After having been selectively bred by the Arabs for centuries for stamina and soundness it’s little wonder.
They are also used for the high prize money desert racing (similar to endurance, but over shorter distances so at a higher speed) in Arab countries like Saudi Arabia, where it’s not uncommon for a good Arab racehorse to change hands for hundreds, if not millions of dollars.
Arabs are also brilliant allrounders – pleasure horses, pony club, show jumpers, show horses, dressage horses etc. They have an excellent temperament and are very intelligent.
Rider/Owner Level
Beginner – Experienced
I would not suggest an Arab for most beginner riders. They are a smart horse, and they do not appreciate being incorrectly ridden or handled – something which many people, from beginners to even the most experienced, do without even realising. However, they can suit any level, providing you are willing to learn the correct way to treat a horse – the best way is through one of the many natural horsemanship techniques.
Arabs don’t need to be handled any differently from any other breed…the problem is that many riders don’t even know how to properly handle other breeds. The difference is, most other breeds of horses (which are often not as intelligent) will put up with rough or incorrect handling…the Arabian horses won’t.
However, if you know how to handle horses correctly or are willing to learn, an Arab will be your friend for life, will do anything for you and will have one of the most trainable temperaments you’ll find on any horse.
Arabian Horse Type
Type in the Arabian breed of horses should always approached from a broad vantage point and with a historical perspective in mind. The summation of definitive characteristics should be the focus rather than a singular factor or trait of the horse. It is paramount that one considers the unique qualities of the Arabian, a desert horse, as defined by Lady Wentworth: utility, soundness, temper, and vitality. These are the qualities that separate the purebred Arabian from other horse breeds and they are superior in all respects. More quantitatively, these fundamental assessment criteria can be put into the context of four major areas: Balance, Quality, Movement, and Disposition.
Balance
Arabian horses have superb balance, symmetry, and harmony of proportion. They are distinctly athletic and although balance is essential for all horse breeds, the apex is achieved with the Arabian horse. In other words, the Arabian is the “epitome of all things that a quality horse should have” in a compact form. Also, to have a correct physical build, balance is fundamental. It is equally essential in establishing the foundation of type. Without balance, the Arabian horse would fail to be a creature of serviceability, which is what has so endeared him to man. Of course, some Arabians in the breed may exude an extreme in one or more specific attributes such as the head, neck, height, or movement. The ultimate goal, though, is balance when it comes to a supremely useful Arabian horse. The true beauty of the purebred Arabian is in their harmonious body movement; this comes from having excellent balance.
Quality
Quality is an attribute that can be elusive and quite hard to quantify, but for those who have seen it, it is unmistakable. It has been referred to as beauty, elegance, presence, charisma, radiance, or vitality. Quality is the single element that defines the Arabian horse best. Whatever you want to call it, it can be seen in the alert command of the Arabian stallion, the confident maternal bearing of an Arabian mare, or the young foal who shows a zest for life. When looking at Arabian type, it is important that any Arabian horse should have irreproachable quality.
Movement
Also vital to defining Arabian type is movement and how capable and efficient the horse is. From a historical perspective, Bedouin mounts were expected to be both swift and have a high stamina as they were used as warhorses and for transportation. Through the centuries, the Arabian horse was selectively bred with these traits intact to become an equine of superior soundness, agility, and versatile athleticism. Arabian horses were expected to have great dexterity back in the ancient Middle Eastern desert as they were the original surefooted vehicles of war.
They needed the agility to charge swiftly into raids or battle and be able to make an abrupt turn on their haunches for a quick getaway. Having this agility required an ample muscularity and harmonious strength. The stride of the Arabian has always been long, light, powerful, and purposeful. Their movement has such an efficiency of exertion and fluidity of motion. These defining traits of the Arabian horse’s movement have carried forward to today as any Arabian of superior type should exude an abundant athletic ability.
Disposition
Just as important as balance, quality, and movement to the fundamental definition of Arabian type is disposition. If the disposition is lacking, then all of the other aspects are of little consequence. Purebred Arabians as a breed have always been:
o Highly intelligent
o Kind
o Willing and fairly easy to train
o Courageous
o Curious and social amongst humans
They have been blessed with a highly spirited character while still being manageable. The Arabian horse is unrivaled as a companion within the equine world. In the ancient Middle Eastern deserts, Arabians were forced into an intimate coexistence with the nomadic Bedouins so that both would survive. This demanded a highly compliant and agreeable disposition. This is, in all likelihood, the most intangible quality that has most endeared the Arabian horse to mankind.
Concisely defined, type in the Arabian breed of horse is the ideal combination of beauty and serviceability. Neither should be sacrificed at the expense of the other if true Arabian type is to be attained. The fundamental elements of beauty can be broken down to quality and disposition of the purebred Arabian while balance and movement would be the crucial components of serviceability. For many Arabian horse enthusiasts, these are the breed hallmarks that define Arabian type.
Randy Meyer, along with his family, are well-respected breeders of high-quality, beautiful purebred Arabian horses
on their farm, Red Oak Arabians. They usually have fine quality Arabian horses for sale at all times.
Arabian Horse Breeders
Those who first encountered an Arabian horse are aware that something is different about him. It seems – compared to horses of other breeds – rare and exotic, it has come from another part of the world. Arabian horses represent the different and unusual type of horses, they are distinguished from the other horses.
Arabian horses perform an exotic fascination. There are people for whom everything is exotic unpleasant; they are suspicious of everything foreign. These are and will remain grounded and keep familiar. Others are fascinated by the strangeness. Impressions of other cultures, continents and climatic zones contribute to them magnetically. The latter may show more enthusiasm when an exotic car such as the Arabian horse is standing in front of them – a creature of a now-defunct culture.
The Arabian horse is largely a product of its original environment, which was formed by the strict selection process by the hard living conditions in the desert regions of the Arabian Peninsula. Delegates from princes and royal houses purchased Arabian horses from the region of origin, and led them to their new home in order to use it as a finisher in the national horse breeding, but also promote the propagation of.
The Arabian horse has a triumphal march around the whole globe and is now available in more than 50 countries around the world, bred and cared for. Since 1949, the Association of Breeders and Friends of the Arabian horse care breeding organization operating nationwide as its members and advises them on all aspects of breeding, rearing, feeding, husbandry, training and riding the promotion of the Arabian horse. Furthermore, this zoo technical recognizes breeding organizations responsible for the registration of thoroughbred Arabian horses of the Arabian breed, Shagya Arabian, Arabs, Anglo-Arabs and Arab half-breed.
There are many Arabian horses which belong to different racial group. “Arab” is not a generic term for breeding Arabian horses of all directions, even if it is used by outsiders so often. As a race-or better, group term, he would merely serve as a kind of catch-all for all Arabian horses, which can not assign the broad groups of Arabian Horses, “” Shagya-Arab, Anglo-Arab “or” Arab half-breeds “.
One of the most beautiful Arabian horse breed with a nice palomino color is Golden Gayr El (El Gayr or Lady Gold). An Arab has said little sloppy, a horse that is not pure enough for an Arabian, but not enough for an allogeneic blood has Anglo-Arab or Partbred, and because of the very small proportion of foreign blood is not the Shagyas that can be attributed to. In any case, this race is very popular. The composite structures the nationwide breed in different regional groups similar to the provinces, promotes regional activities, seminars and courses as well as dog shows and equestrian competitions in the different disciplines.
Breathtaking radiance and beauty draws many people into their orbit. He keeps and maintains contacts with national and international umbrella organizations and associations and is responsible for implementing national and international events, advertising, breeding advice and assistance in all matters responsible. Before buying some horse like this you must search for many guides which will give explanations about the historical development, the roles and functions of the association which will provide guidance on the breeding objectives of the Arab Association of race and managed to convey a sense of the diverse investment and the specific characteristics of this noble breed of horses in the world, without whose influence can exist in the long run, no other horse breeds. This horse deserves only the best because he is the best.
Want to learn more about Arabian Horse Breeders? Kristoffer writes about it here and on www.love-your-horse.com
Arabian Horse
The Arabian horse is an animal which has lived on the Arabian Peninsula for well over 2000 years. These horses were properly bred to demonstrate many traits which were attractive, such as strength, beauty, and endurance. Many experts on horses have concluded that Arabian horses are among the oldest breeds in the world.
The Bedouins were a nomadic people who are given credit for first taming the Arabian horse. The Bedouins made every effort to protect the purity of these horses, and many could trace back the lineage of the horses they owned. During this time, it was critical to have a horse which was strong, fast, and courageous. It also had to be capable of surviving in the desert environment. The Bedouin tribes were constantly at war with other tribes in the region, and it was necessary to have a horse which could lead them into battle.
The Bedouins soon gained a reputation for breeding some of the most beautiful horses ever seen. Many people would trade horses with them, and they would get together and share the lineages of the horses which were traded. There are a number of different variations of Arabian horses, which are known as strains. These horses have a common ancestor and look. Some of these are Hadban, Kuhaylan, and Dahman.
The Arabian horse of one of the most well known breeds in the world. Their heads are shaped like wedges, and they have large eyes and a small muzzle. Arabian horses which have a concave shaped nose are highly prized. The neck of an Arabian horse should be arched, and their legs should be muscular and lean. Their coat should be shiny, and can be likened to silk. Despite this, Arabian horses are often not seen at the highest levels of show jumping competitions, because it does not have a good bascule compared to other breeds.
Most Arabian horses have a coat which is grey or brown, and some horses also have black coats. Arabian horses with black coats were rare, because in the desert they would absorb heat, and this would be dangerous. Because the Arabian horse is so genetically pure, it is commonly used in enhancing the characteristics of other breeds of horses. Arabian horses have a good temperament, and this also makes them attractive to breeders.
Arabian horses have been used in professional horse competitions for a long time, and Arabian horse games are being held every year in which the horses and their owners can compete with each other.