If you are a horse enthusiast or interested in horse sports, you will probably be familiar with Arabian horse. This is one of the famous horse breeds and is a champion in many sports from horse racing, dressage, jumping to eventinHay
But what makes Arabian horses stand out among a series of other horse breeds? Why is it referred to be the “queen of horses”? The answer will be revealed by RaxinHorse right after this. Let’s explore the wonders of this noble horse breed!
History of Arabian Horse Breeds
It is thought that the Arabian horse first appeared in the Arabian Peninsula around 3000 BC. It is regarded as one of the world’s oldest horse breeds. Although there is not much clear evidence about the origin and ancestry of this horse breed, it is believed to have been bred by the Bedouin tribe on the Arabian Peninsula.
The Bedouin tribes used purebred Arabian horses mainly for long journeys in the desert and as war horses to quickly raid enemy camps. This breed of horse was raised in the harsh desert environment and rugged terrain of the Arabian Peninsula. Thanks to that, the Arabian horse inherited incredible strength, speed, and endurance. In addition, due to the harsh climate, nomads had to share food, water, and tents with horses. That is also the reason why Arabian horses are very friendly to humans, intelligent, and easy to train.
Due to war and commercialization, Arabian horses gradually spread to many other areas such as Europe. Gradually, it became a popular horse breed in many parts of the world. Thanks to its intelligence, strength, and speed, the Arabian horse became the favorite choice of many people, especially Genghis Khan, Napoleon Bonaparte, George Washington, and Alexander the Great.
Arabian Horse Characteristics
Is there anything different about the Arabian horse compared to other horse breeds? This is probably the question of many people when they first learn about this breed. So let’s find out their unique characteristics with RaxinHorse
Breed Overview
Arabians are famous for their “eye-catching” appearance with delicate heads, dished faces, slightly concave eyes, large bright eyes, slightly apart, and a wide forehead. They have small, slightly curved ears with large nostrils and excellent smelling ability.
Arabian horses are intelligent, obedient, and highly competitive. That is also the reason why they are known as one of the most famous warm-blooded horse breeds. Arabian horses often have common characteristics such as:
- Type of horse: light horse
- Weight: 800 – 1000 pounds
- Height: 14 – 16 hands (56 – 64 inches)
- Body structure: compact body, long legs, small head, slightly concave eyes, long neck, slightly curved, smooth, and soft hair
- Lifespan: 25 – 30 years
Size
Arabian horses are also easily recognized by their slim bodies. At 14 to 16 hands (56 to 64 inches) tall, they are a little “smaller” than other horse breeds. Arabian horses are smaller because of their different bone structure. They only have 5 lumbar vertebrae while other breeds have 6. Arabian horses also have only 17 pairs of ribs instead of 18 like other horse breeds.
However, hidden within that compact body is incredible speed and endurance. Perhaps because of their “smaller” size, Arabian horses can gallop and jump with great power.
Color
The Arabian horse comes in a wide variety of coat colors, ranging from brown, grey, chestnut to black. The most common is the black Arabian horse. Their skin is usually darkly pigmented, such as black, to protect the horse from the harsh desert sun. Some Arabian beautiful horse breeds may have white spots or white hocks on their legs. However, they will not be tan, cream, palomino, or deerskin because they are purebred horses.
Arabian Horse Breeding and Uses
RaxinHorse has received many questions about whether Arabian horses are more popular than Pinto horses worldwide. In fact, Pinto horses are also believed to have originated from Arabian horses, which have a more sensitive temperament. And in terms of popularity, Arabian horses have won over Pintos.
To help you have a clearer view of Arabian, we will learn about the breeding and uses of this horse breed.
Arabian Horse Breeding
In the past, purebred Arabian horses were bred mainly for war purposes because of their superior speed and endurance riding. The Bedouins always tried to keep Arabian horses “purebred”. They called these purebred horses Asil and did not allow them to crossbreed with any other horse breeds.
The Bedouins believed that if Asil mares mated with other horses, their offspring would no longer be purebred and not strong enough. However, under the ban on crossbreeding, there were still “non-purebred” Arabian horses born. According to the Arabian Horse Association, there are 5 main Arabian horse breeds: Abeyan; Hadban; Hamdani; Keheilan; and Seglawi.
Over time, this breed has been bred to select for good qualities in both physical strength and temperament. Arabian horses began appearing in the United States in the 1700s. In 1908, the American Arabian Horse Registry was established. Today, there is only one Arabian horse breed registry, and it is called the Arabian Horse Association (AHA). This is where racing is licensed and is responsible for Arabian horse breeding in the United States.
Arabian Horse Uses
In the past, Arabian horses were used as war horses and to carry luggage on long journeys across the desert. Although they have a somewhat “smaller” body than other breeds, Arabian horses win in strength, speed, and endurance. In wars, the Bedouins also favored Arabian mares because they had a light gait, were easily “invisible” and were not detected by the enemy.
Today, Arabian horses are used as riding horses or sports horses for competitions such as horse racing, jumping, dressage, or eventing. They are also used for crossbreeding modern breeds purposes to take advantage of their speed, endurance, and strong bone structure.
The Arabian bloodline has contributed greatly to the evolution of many horse breeds such as the Thoroughbred in England, the Orloff Trotter in Russia, the Percheron in France, and the Trotter and Morgan in the United States.
Arabian horses appear in a wide variety of activities from entertainment to racing. With high intelligence and excellent physical health, they are top champions in all competitions.
How to Care for Arabian Horse?
So is it difficult to care for an Arabian horse? Don’t worry, if you have or are about to have your own powerful Arabian horse, here is how to care for them.
Diet and Nutrition
Just like all other horses, Arabian horses also need a healthy diet. You need to supplement the horse with all the essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, etc.
Arabian horses are also very “easy-going” when it comes to eating. They can eat fresh grass, hay, grains, or fruits such as bananas, apples, watermelons, strawberries, etc. Because they come from a horse breed that lives in the harsh desert, Arabian horses can maintain a healthy body even though they eat less than other horse breeds. However, to ensure the best health and performance of Arabians, you need to provide them with adequate nutrition.
Common Health and Behavior Problems
Arabian horses are prone to genetic diseases such as Combined immunodeficiency, Lavender foal syndrome, or Cerebellar abiotrophy as foals. The severity can vary depending on the condition of the horse. Therefore, if you plan to raise an Arabian horse from a young age, you need to pay close attention to health issues and take the horse to a veterinary facility if there are serious problems.
In terms of temperament, Arabian horses are known for their friendliness and high intelligence. They are easy to get along with and build strong emotional relationships with people. However, Arabian horses are also stubborn, they will not cooperate with clumsy trainers and are prone to bad habits if not trained properly.
Grooming
Like other horses, Arabians need to be groomed regularly to keep their skin and coat healthy. Grooming your horse will help remove sweat and oils from your horse after exercise. You can use a knee comb to brush your horse’s mane and coat. And don’t forget to check your horse’s hooves daily to make sure they are clean and free of injuries.
How to Choose and Acquire Your Ideal Arabian Horse?
Arabian horses will be a “prestigious” companion in any race. They can also be the perfect choice for leisure riding. However, despite their “loveliness”, Arabian horses are quite stubborn and sensitive. They will not listen to clumsy trainers. Therefore, you will need to have “a little” experience to train Arabian horses.
Currently, Arabian horses for sale are very popular. Depending on many factors, Arabian horse price can range from $5,000 to $20,000. Some rare Arabian horses that are purebred or come from precious bloodlines may cost more.
Before adopting or buying an Arabian horse, you need to carefully check the health, temperament and history of the horse provided by the seller. You should also have your veterinarian thoroughly examine it before bringing your “four-legged friend” home. This will make caring for your Arabian horse easier in the future.
Famous Arabian Horses
Finally, to end our journey of discovering the Arabian horse in the best possible way, we will introduce you to the “celebrities” of this breed. In addition to names like Marengo – Napoleon Bonaparte’s favorite horse, Bucephalus – ridden by Alexander the Great or George Washington’s Magnolia, there are many other prominent names such as
Marwan Al Shaqab
Marwan Al Shaqab is a noble Arabian stallion owned by the Qatari royal family in the Middle East. Not only does he enjoy a life of luxury, but Marwan Al Shaqab has also been meticulously trained to win numerous awards. He is a three-time World Champion, a two-time US National Champion, and has held the title of leading world sire in a row for the World Championships for seven consecutive years.
Muscat
Of course, the list of famous Arabian horses cannot be without Muscat. This is the youngest horse to be selected for breeding at Tersk Farm. Muscat is also a familiar face among champions, having won 3 championships in just one year, respectively in the US, Canada, and Scottsdale.
Khemosabi
Finally, Khemosabi is the most well-known horse among Arabian horses enthusiasts. He is a favorite for his great achievements in show horses and has received prestigious awards in the Western Pleasure show ring. Khemosabi has also sired 1200 other foals, many of which have been champions.
Final Thought
With their noble beauty, rich history, and exceptional qualities, Arabian horses are considered living works of art and cultural icons. They have accompanied humans throughout history, from ancient battles to modern-day thrilling races. Arabian horses continue to demonstrate their outstanding athletic abilities and hold a special place in the hearts of horse lovers worldwide.
Have you enjoyed your journey into the world of Arabian horses with RaxinHorse? If you’re looking for a loyal and spirited companion, look no further than the Arabian horse.
