Arabian Horse is a symbol of beauty and stamina!
Are you a horse lover? If yes, then have you ever got curious about how this fantastic creature has so many breed types today? Well, then this article is about one of the earliest improved breeds of horse, valued for its speed, stamina, beauty, intelligence, and gentleness. The Arabian horse is undoubtedly one of the oldest horse breeds in the world. These ancient horses are bred with other horse breeds to add speed, endurance, beauty, and healthy bones. As a result of this, today, Arabian ancestors are part of almost every riding horse breed.
The Arabian horse is developed by the Bedouin people in the desert of Arabia. Even though Najd, Saudi Arabia considered as the most famous stud farm is in the region, now many fine Arabian horses are bred elsewhere. You might wonder hearing that sometimes people used to keep their horses in their family tents for shelter and protection. As a result of this, close companionship with humans turned the Arabian into a well behaved and quickly learning animal. It also became a warhorse because of its fantastic speed and always being alert nature. This blend of traits makes it necessary for people today to treat Arabian horses with kindness and respect.
The Arabian horse has a proud history and origins. Go through some of it!
The sad truth is that the very beginnings of the Arabian horse are still hidden in the ancient desert sands. But most experts strongly believe that these horses originated around the Arabian Peninsula. According to the historical records of the Bedouin tribes, their relationship with Arab horses run back to 3000 B.C. and keep. The strength and hardness of the Arabian horses were gifted to them as a result of the harsh desert climate and ground in which they survived.
The Bedus used them for their transportation, to carry their weights, and to war rides. It is not a secret of how much the owners loved these horses that they kept them in their families’ tents at night for warmth and protection against thieves and harm in the cold desert night. This undying bond reflects by many purebred Arabian names today, starting with “Bint” or “Ibn.” those names give the rough meaning of “daughter of” and “son of,” respectively.
George Washington, Genghis Khan, Napoleon, and Alexander the Great are among many historical figures who claimed ownership and rode Arabians. Even the prophet Mohammed in the seventh century, A.D, asked his followers to be kind and respect their Arabian horses. Especially to the mares who maintain the breed’s quality and continuity. Yes, these fantastic creatures even earned the love of his people also! The best part is that he taught his followers, the Allah himself gifted Arabians on earth, and treating these horses will ensure the happiness in the afterlife.
Even though the Arabian horse is an ancient breed, it has made its way to the modern world.
Now the Expansion of the Arabian Horses. The first step is Spreading to Europe
It has come to an end for the heavily armored knights with the invention of firearms. They have lost their importance, and during the 16th century, handy, light and speedy horses were in demand for use as cavalry mounts. Several war victories proved that the Arabian horse was an outstanding military mount all around the world.
When the Crusade ended, Western people began looking at East for Arabian bloodstock. Revolution in horse breeding occurred between 1683 and 1730 when three Arabian stallions were brought to England. These three stallions named Darley Arabian, Byerly Turk, and Godolphin Arabian made history by founding the Thoroughbred breed. These three Arabian sires own the majority of all modern Thoroughbreds today. Today all our light breeds of horses are related to the Arabians by direct infusion or through the blood of the Thoroughbred.
In the 1800s, the Victorian era, travelers fell in love with the horse of the desert, which was visible by the Arabian stud farms found everywhere in Europe. Royalty also became a part of that. Poland royal families established several studs, so did the kings of Germany and several other royalties in European nations. The world-famous Crabbet Arabian Stud came to life in England because of the brave step of Lady Anne Blunt and Wilfred Blunt’s into the desert to conquer Egyptian and desert stock. This stud provided foundation horses for many countries eventually, including Russia, Poland, Australia, North and South America, and Egypt.
Second step. Arabian Horses come to North America!
This is the story of how Arabian horses conquered North America. General Ulysses S. Grant visited the Sultan of Turkey In 1877. There, Sultan gifted two stallions to him from his stable, Leopard and Lindentree. Later Leopard was given to Randolph Huntington, who imported two mares and two stallions after that in 1888 from England. This traditional breeding considered the first purebred Arabian breeding program in the U.S.
In 1906, the Sultan of Turkey gave permission to Homer Davenport to export Arabian horses marking one of the most significant histories. With the help of then-President Theodore Roosevelt, Davenport imported 27 horses, which gave the life to “Davenport Arabians.” with this direct importation from the dessert, few Arabian breeders in this country got excited. So they decided to promote the horse by forming a registry. As a result, in 1908, the Arabian Horse Club of America was established ( known as the Arabian Horse Association today). Along with this, the publication of the first studbook happened. U.S. Department of Agriculture gave recognition for the Arabian studbook by establishing the Registry as a national registry and also the only one created for the purebred Arabian breed. At that point, seventy-one purebred Arabians were registered.
In the 1940s and 1950s, American breeding programs continued their breeding process from the previously imported stock. As a result of this importation of Arabians to America slowed down. In 1957, after the death of Lady Wentworth, due to the distribution of Crabbet Stud, importations were again made from England. The post-war stud farms of Germany, X Spain, Poland, and Egypt were back to business still. As a result of this, a new era of Arabian horse breeding dawned.
What is the story of Arabian horse Today?
Since the Arab often involved in several forms of desert wars known as “Ghazu,” warriors are always looking for mounts with high endurance and speed. Well, Arabian horses match perfectly to this role. These great qualities of the Arabian horse are coming as a result of being in the original stock. This purity is kept due to intensive breeding in a favorable environment. This fantastic horse doesn’t keep his highly praised bloodline to itself. It dominates its pure-blood all the breeds by introducing its own superior qualities to them.
After the importation to England, the Arabian became the ancestor of the Thoroughbred. In Russia, the Arabian horse contributed its blood to the massive development of the Orloff Trotter. It helped to make the famous Percheron in France. When it comes to America, the Arabian horse became the ancestor of the Morgan and, together with the English Thoroughbred, to make the Trotter.
Arabian is unique, and it is the oldest of all the light breeds and foundation stock of many breeds.
The trainability, high intelligence, stamina, and gentle disposition of the Arabian make it ideal for much wide variety of activities popular today. They are excellent on the trail and evenly in the show ring. Arabians give fun and enjoyment to people at both all-Arabian events, and Open breed shows around the world. As an endurance horse, the Arabian shines among the other breeds. They never fail to win the best prizes at endurance events. Arabian racing is a top-rated event nowadays. It is now enjoyed by race lovers at tracks across the country. On the other hand, the Arabians’ Bedouin heritage is evident to prove their great ability to bond with humans. This horse always wins hearts by being the perfect horse for family members regardless of age.
When comparing with other popular breeds, the price of excellent Arabian horses has become affordable to a wide range of horse enthusiasts. America has some of the top-quality horses as well as breeding farms.
Body Type
Arabian horses inherit lithe, compact bodies that lead to strength and speed; you will be surprised to see their wedge-shaped face with refined features and the dished profile. They have short backs, sloping shoulders, and powerful hindquarters. These physical features indicate refinement, agility, power, and elegance.
Size and Lifespan
Surprisingly Arabians are little in stature compared with many riding steeds, remaining somewhere in the range of 14 and 15.2 hands high (56 to 62 inches at the highest point of the shoulder). They are fine-to medium-boned and weigh from 800 to 1000 pounds. Some Arabian steeds of Polish bloodlines surpass 15.3 hands high (63 inches). Wisely selected breeding has delivered both fine-boned and all the more strong built Arabians; however, all represent the breed’s typical appearance and grace.
Uses
Arabian steeds have given the lessons to many young people around the world about the enthusiasm and the responsibility of owning a horse. Numerous new equestrians figure out how to ride on the backs of these solid, even-keeled mounts. Arabians show their colors in pretty much every horse sport. Of course, they are the best match for long-distance traveling events in challenging territories and are fit for traveling long distances under the burning sun. They can be easily tamed and trained, give thrills compared to any Thoroughbred on the tracks, and are fantastic in the show ring in joy classes, over hops, and in local Arabian outfit events.
Color and Markings
Yes, they have amazing colors and unique features! The Arabian Horse Association perceives the colors like bay, dark, chestnut, dark, and roan, yet Arabians have all way of white facial markings and white socks or stockings on their legs. A few bloodlines are known for their particular shading or markings, similar to the high white socks and white appearances of the Crabbet bloodlines.
Arabians are rarely dun, cremello, palomino, and buckskin since true-breeds don’t convey weakening qualities. Archeological proof, however, recommends that they existed in old times. Sabino — a white pattern type on the skin and in the hair — is the main spotted pattern presently conveyed in unadulterated Arabian lines.
The skin of the Arabian steed is dark, with the exception of under white markings. The dark pigmentation ensured the protection of these horses against the burning desert sun.
It is time to dig up some unique characteristics of the Arabian horse
Arabian horses have many unique qualities that set them apart from other breeds. Take a look at few:
– The smooth walking style of an Arabian is ideal for riding, despite the horse’s relatively small size.
– They can be easily recognized for their elegantly arched necks as well as fine, silky tails and manes.
– A delicately dished face equipped with wide intelligent eyes and arching neck are symbols of the purebred Arabian.
– They have a high tail carriage and smooth gaits (forward movement).
– These horses are quick learners, always alert with surroundings, and also sensitive to their environments and people.
– If you consider many modern-day horses, Arabians are the ancestors of them from the tall Trakehner to the tiny Fallabella.
– Arabian horses lack one vertebra compared to other breeds of horses.
– It is imperative to keep the bloodlines of Arabian horses pure. If Arabian blooded a horse has the blood of another breed, it cannot be registered as an Arabian, regardless of the fact of how negligible the dilution.
Is the Arabian horse for You?
Yes, you can have them!
Arabian horses are adorable, faithful, responsive companions, and matured Arabians make superb family and starting horses, regardless of whether ridden or driven in harness. Compared with other breeds, they are much closer to people and enjoy their time spending with human families. Where a true-bred Arabian may not fit, crossbreeds, for example, the Anglo-Arabian, Shagyar Arabian, ArabxQHs, and American Show Horses can fulfill the requirements.
The Arabian’s life span, solidness, and astounding health make it a perfect steed for anybody. It adjusts well to a wide variety of weather conditions and reacts in kind to love and care.
Wrapping Up…
The Arabian horse is part of one of the world’s longest histories, which runs back thousands of years; its official breed registry is considered as the oldest in the world. This strikingly beautiful and even temperament creature has caught the eyes and hearts of countless people throughout the ages. Without stopping there, Arabians have passed on their elegance, intelligence, and spirit to almost every light horse breed on the planet. Not only the horses but also many pony’s and warmblood breeds’ ancestors come from the Arabian too. Horse lovers around the world have much for which to thank this versatile, healthy, loyal breed.
