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The Arabian is one of the oldest recognized horse breeds, with a history spanning thousands of years. The breed originated in the Arabian Peninsula and spread worldwide through war and trade.
Today, nearly every modern breed of riding horse carries the influence of Arabian bloodlines. Originally bred in the desert by the nomadic Bedouin people, these horses are known for their distinctive beauty and charismatic spirit.
While the breed’s legendary history contributes to its enduring popularity, the traits that made Arabians prized in ancient cultures now help the breed succeed in modern equestrian sport.
Owners should also consider the unique traits and history of the Arabian horse when developing a care and feeding program. Arabians typically have longer lifespans than most horse breeds, and proper management can help keep them healthy as they age.
This article will discuss the history, characteristics, common health problems, and nutritional needs of Arabians. Keep reading to learn everything you should know about caring for and managing Arabian horses.
Arabian Horse History
The history of the Arabian horse is intertwined with the history of humankind. These horses are featured in various myths and religious texts, confirming the breed’s influence on ancient cultures and civilizations. [1]
The influence of Arabian horses extends far beyond the Arabian Peninsula, where they originated. These horses also served as mounts for prominent historical figures on nearly every continent, including carrying Napoleon Bonaparte and George Washington.
Today, centuries of selective breeding are maintained by breed organizations that register thousands of Arabian foals born every year.
Origin
The ancestral origins of the Arabian horse are still subject to ongoing research. Evidence suggests that the Bedouin people of the Arabian peninsula domesticated desert horses before 1,500 BCE. [2]
Horses with features similar to the modern Arabian appear in rock paintings from the peninsula dating back to 2500 BCE. The region’s desert climate heavily influenced the breed, as desert horses needed to survive on little food and water in extreme temperatures. [1]
The Bedouin people were nomadic Arab tribes who inhabited desert regions stretching from North Africa to the Middle East, relying on camels and other livestock for their livelihood.
Bedouin tribes bred Arabian horses for war, selecting for intelligence, speed, endurance, and soundness. Horses in the desert relied entirely on humans, eating dates and camel’s milk where there was limited pasture or water.
Ancient Arabian horses were also bred for beauty and refinement. Some physical attributes of the Arabian breed, such as a bulging forehead and arching neck, gained high esteem due to their association with religious beliefs and superstition. [1]
Historic Use
Arabian horses carried Bedouin warriors through battle and into raids on enemy tribes. Many night raids required stealth, and riders often preferred Arabian mares over stallions that may call to enemy horses and give away their position. [3]
Prized war mares were highly valued in Bedouin culture. Some even slept inside family tents at night for protection from theft, predators, and weather hazards. Breeders also cherished Arabian mares, carefully tracing and refining bloodlines through desirable mare lines. [1]
Arab horses spread worldwide as spoils of war and honoured gifts. The Arabian was recognized as a distinct breed in the 6th century when its influence expanded alongside the spread of Islam. [4]
In medieval Europe, knights relied on heavier horses to carry them to battle. But their mounts couldn’t match the speed and agility of the horses of Eastern invaders. Lighter horses soon proved superior cavalry mounts following the invention of firearms. [5]
Recreational Use
European nobility highly desired Arabian horses as symbols of prestige and valuable breeding stock. When breeding focuses shifted from war to pleasure, Arabian bloodlines played a valuable role in developing most riding breeds recognized today. [6]
Three Arabian stallions imported to England between 1683 and 1730 revolutionized racehorse breeding and founded the Thoroughbred breed. In the 1800s, Victorian-era travellers enamoured with the desert horses founded Arabian stud farms throughout Europe.
Crabbet Arabian Stud in England, founded by Lady Anne Blunt, provided foundation horses for studs worldwide. Several strains of Arabian horses developed, including Polish, Russian, Spanish, Egyptian, Shagya, and Crabbet Arabians. [7]
Breed Registry
The Arabian Horse Association is the official breed registry for Arabian horses in North America. Formed by a merger between the Arabian Horse Registry of America and the International Arabian Horse Association, the AHA now maintains a database of more than 1 million horses.
The origins of the breed registry trace back to 1908, after the importation of 27 Arabian horses by Homer Davenport spurred enthusiasm for the breed in the United States. [8]
Today, the AHA is a full-service breed association dedicated to promoting and preserving the Arabian breed. The association registers pure Arabians, Half-Arabians, and Anglo-Arabians born in and imported to North America.
Breed Characteristics
Arabian horses are easily recognizable by their distinct appearance and characteristics. Some of these characteristics helped the horses survive in a desert environment, while others contributed to the striking beauty of the breed.
Centuries of selective breeding have concentrated desirable traits that once made the Arabian a prized warhorse now make these horses an intelligent partner for modern riders.
While the Arabian continues to excel in endurance races, these horses are suitable mounts for pleasure riders in multiple disciplines.
Conformation
Arabians are smaller, lighter horses. This breed generally ranges in height from 14.1 to 15.2 hands. However, all Arabians are classified as horses, not ponies, even if they fall under the traditional 14.2 hand cut-off.
These horses are best known for their refined heads, broad foreheads, dished faces, large eyes, and small muzzles. The slight forehead bulge between their eyes, called the jibbah by the Bedouin, increases sinus capacity and supports temperature regulation. [9]
The ideal Arabian has an arched neck, a well-set windpipe, and a clean throatlatch. A long, refined structure of the poll and throatlatch allows greater flexibility in the bridle and room to breathe.
Other distinct features include a long, level croup and high tail carriage. Arabians also have a short, straight back and well-sprung ribs. Some Arabians have fewer lumbar vertebrae and pairs of ribs than other horses. Short cannons and strong feet support soundness. [10]
Colours
The AHA registers Arabians with the following coat colours:
- Gray
- Bay
- Chestnut
- Black
- Roan
Purebred Arabians don’t have dilution genes necessary for dun, cremello, or buckskin coat colours. These colours are only possible in crossbreds. However, some Arabian horses carry a mutated dilution gene responsible for Lavender Foal Syndrome. [11]</