Description: Arab/Arabian
The Arabian, also known as the Arab, is one of the world’s oldest and most recognizable horse breeds. Originating from the Arabian Peninsula, this breed is renowned for its beauty, stamina, intelligence, and friendly temperament. The Arabian horse played a significant role in the development of many other horse breeds and is prized for its distinct characteristics: a refined, wedge-shaped head, high tail carriage, and a compact, strong body. Famous for excelling in endurance riding due to its exceptional stamina and resilience, Arabians are also known for forming strong bonds with humans and adapting well to both novice and experienced riders. Their versatile nature allows them to succeed in various equestrian disciplines, making the Arabian a favorite choice for riders all over the world.
Arab/Arabian ratings
Properties
The Arabian horse, often referred to simply as the 'Arabian', is one of the oldest and most recognizable horse breeds in the world. Renowned for its elegant appearance, high intelligence, and remarkable stamina, the Arabian has played a significant role in the development of many modern breeds.
Arabians typically stand between 14.1 and 15.1 hands high (about 57-61 inches at the withers) and are immediately distinguishable by their dished (concave) facial profile, large nostrils, broad forehead, and big, expressive eyes. The neck is arched and set high on sloping shoulders, contributing to their distinctive high tail carriage and graceful movement. Their bodies are compact with strong, well-formed legs and dense bone, yet they are lighter in build than many other breeds.
One of the most notable features of the Arabian horse is its endurance and stamina. Historically, they were bred by the Bedouin people of the Arabian Peninsula to survive harsh desert conditions. This selective breeding resulted in horses with enormous lung capacity, efficient metabolism, and the ability to perform arduous tasks over long distances without succumbing to fatigue. This endurance is a primary reason Arabians excel in endurance riding competitions globally.
The Arabian's temperament is typically described as spirited yet gentle. They are intelligent, quick learners, and form strong bonds with humans, making them suitable for experienced handlers as well as sensitive enough for children under guidance. However, their intelligence means they can become bored with repetitive work and may learn to outsmart less experienced riders.
Arabian horses have a fine coat that requires moderate grooming, and although their skin is relatively thin, they withstand heat and cold reasonably well. Common colors include bay, gray, chestnut, black, and roan. Unlike many other breeds, Arabians have one fewer lumbar vertebra, rib, and tail bone, giving them a short, strong back.
Arabians have had a profound influence on the horse world, having contributed genes to almost every light horse breed in existence today, including Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. Their resilience, friendliness, and beauty make them sought after in various equestrian disciplines, from show rings to endurance trails.
Appearance
The Arabian horse is one of the most visually distinctive breeds in the world, widely recognized for its refined and elegant appearance that sets it apart from other horse breeds. Arabs have a slightly concave, or 'dished', facial profile that gives their face a unique look; this is perhaps the breed's most iconic characteristic. Their forehead is broad, with large, expressive dark eyes and well-set, alert ears that are often small and curved inward at the tip. One of the breed's notable features is its wide set nostrils, which provide greater airflow and contribute to the horse's renowned stamina and endurance.
The neck of the Arabian is arched and graceful, set on a well-angled shoulder that offers an elegant and proud carriage. The withers are pronounced and blend smoothly into a short, strong back. Unlike many other breeds, the Arabian has both a short back and fewer lumbar vertebrae—17 ribs, 5 lumbar vertebrae, and 16 tail vertebrae, instead of the usual 18, 6, and 18. This unique skeletal structure enhances the Arabian's compact body and high tail carriage, both of which are highly prized characteristics. The croup is relatively horizontal and leads to a tail that is carried high, flagging gracefully when the horse moves.
Arabians generally stand between 14.1 and 15.1 hands (about 57 to 61 inches) at the withers and have an overall balanced and symmetrical build. Their body is lean and the barrel is deep, allowing for ample heart and lung capacity. This, combined with strong, clean legs and tough, durable hooves, enables the breed's famed endurance and agility. The skin of the breed is generally black, even under white hair, a trait that offers protection in harsh desert environments. Arabian horses come in a variety of coat colors, the most common being bay, gray, chestnut, black, and roan, often displaying a shiny, fine coat. Many Arabians have white markings on the face and legs, further enhancing their attractive appearance. The mane and tail are usually silky and full, adding to their overall grace.
In summary, the Arabian horse is admired for its elegance, refined features, high tail carriage, and athletic build. It epitomizes beauty, strength, and nobility, making it one of the most easily recognized and beloved horse breeds worldwide.
History
The Arabian horse is one of the oldest and most influential horse breeds in the world, with a history that stretches back over 4,500 years. Archaeological evidence, including ancient petroglyphs and bones, suggests that proto-Arabian horses were domesticated on the Arabian Peninsula as early as 2500 BCE. The breed’s exact origins are shrouded in myth and legend, with Bedouin oral traditions tracing the Arabian’s ancestry to horses living in the deserts of the Middle East for millennia. Arabians thrived in these harsh conditions, and their survival depended on their intelligence, hardiness, and close relationship with their human caretakers.
The Bedouin tribes prized Arabian horses for their endurance, speed, and loyalty. Horses were not merely livestock, but often slept inside the family tent and were regarded as treasured members of the community. These selective breeding practices focused on preserving the purest bloodlines, and mares, in particular, were highly valued for their ability to pass on desirable qualities to offspring. Family and tribe pedigrees became vitally important, resulting in the deeply rooted tradition of oral and later written record-keeping known as the 'asil' pedigree system.
Throughout history, Arabian horses have played significant roles in trade, warfare, and culture. Their stamina and speed made them the preferred mounts of military leaders, warriors, and cavalry—from Pharaohs of ancient Egypt to Islamic caliphates expanding their domains across North Africa and into Europe. When the Crusaders encountered Arabian horses during the Middle Ages, they brought some of these prized animals to Europe, where Arabian bloodlines helped improve the quality of local horse breeds.
In more recent centuries, Arabian horses became foundation stock for many modern breeds, including the Thoroughbred, Andalusian, and American Quarter Horse. Their influence is seen in the refinement, athleticism, and temperament of these breeds. The modern Arabian maintains its ancient type—characterized by a dished face, arched neck, and high tail carriage—thanks to continued careful breeding. Today, Arabian horses are found worldwide and remain popular for their beauty, intelligence, and versatility, participating in diverse disciplines from endurance riding to show competition, while holding a special status as living symbols of both history and partnership between humans and horses.