The Arabian
Whilst the origin of the Arabian is something of a mystery, and in his original form he was somewhat smaller than the modern Arabian, his early history goes back around five thousand years, making him the oldest breed of horse in existence. Other than in size, the Arabian is relatively unchanged since the very earliest of times....'as old as time itself and as fleet as its flying moments' is an apt description.
Around 3,500 years ago, the Arabian horse assumed the role of king maker in the Valley of the Nile and beyond. The Egyptians were able to discover vast tracts of potential kingdom beyond that already known with the aid of their Arabian horses -the empires of the Babylonians, Assyrians. Hittites. Persians and others fell victim to the thunder of Arabian hooves.
Famous history- shaping figures like Genghis Khan, Napoleon, Alexander The Great and George Washington rode Arabians. Even today in Egypt, one finds descendants from the earliest Arabian horses of antiquity. Then, a man's wealth was measured in his holdings of these fine animals. Given that the Arabian was the original source of quality and speed. and remains foremost in the fields of endurance and soundness, he still either directly or indirectly contributed to the formation of virtually all the modern breeds of horses. In the late 1600's three Arabian stallions imported to England founded the Thoroughbred breed.
The skin of an Arabian is sleek and supple, the legs and jaws clean of long hair and the mane and tail is soft. Whilst Arabians have virtually covered the colour pallette, the most common colours are bay, chestnut. grey and brown. The height of an Arabian is traditionally within the limits of 14.1 and 15.1 hands.
Perhaps the hallmark of a purebred Arabian is his head - short and tapered, jowls deep, with eyes that are dark and large. In profile, the characteristic 'dish' is best represented and the small and finely shaped ears are often tipped slightly inward. Ears on a stallion, incidentally, are often smaller than those on a mare.
Arabians represent speed and lightness in their movement. The walk should be fast and free with the hind feet overstepping the front track by some 8 to 12 inches. The trotting action is free with the feet reaching out and seeming to float at full stretch before touching the ground. The canter is smooth and elastic whilst the gallop is free, yet light, covering even rough ground with a big stride and smooth ride.
Arabian Links
International Arabian Horse Association
Arabian1.com - Arabian shopping mall
World Arabian Horse Organization
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