Arabian Horses

The Arab or Arabian horses name is derived from the area from which the Arabian horse originates, the Arabian peninsula in south west Asia.

Summary

The Arabian horse is a member of the “hot blooded” group of horses.

Hot blooded horses have a more refined body and are of a smaller, lighter build compared to their warm and cold blooded counterparts. Hot blooded horses are exceptionally agile and posses’ great speed, this is due to their lightly muscled body.

Arabian horses are incredibly versatile; they are used for various equestrian pursuits from dressage to the western sport of “cutting”. Arabian horses excel at endurance and dominate the sport at the highest levels. The Arabian horse is renowned for its outstanding good looks and extreme stamina.

Arabian blood lines are evident in many of today’s modern light weight horses; they have been used to refine certain breeds to add speed and agility, intelligence and stamina.

Characteristics

The Arabian horse has particularly distinguishable features, which makes it easily recognisable. The Arabian horse has a defined head with a dished profile; some have a slightly bulging forehead, large eyes and large nostrils and a diminutive muzzle, a well arched neck, and a good sloping shoulder.

Arabian horses generally have compact strong bodies and a short back and a somewhat level croup and a high tail carriage. Arabian horses have short cannons good strong feet and dense bone. Arabian horses are well built tough light weight horses. Arabian horses can be of pony height but are still genetically horses.

Pure bred Arabian horses can only be bay, chestnut, grey, roan and sometimes black, although black Arabian horses are very uncommon.  

History

The Arabian horse is one of the oldest breeds of horse in the world. Rock paintings from as far back as 2500 B.C depict the ancient ancestors of the modern day Arabian horse. The Arabian horse’s origins are from the Middle East.  The Arabian horse was developed in desert environment, where food and water is scarce, thus making the Arabian horse a hardy animal.