Arabian horse | Facts & Information

Arab Thoroughbred Origin

The oldest and most famous horse breed in the world is the Arab breed, it is the basis of the formation of all cultural horse breeds existing at this time in the world. The origin of the breed seems to be in the area of Central Asia, from where, through the Persians, these horses arrived in the fourth-sixth centuries C. E. in the Arabian peninsula.

Another variant would be the domestication of wild horses caught from the desert in Egypt by King Solomon's soldiers (974 B. C. E.). Today it is unanimously recognized that the formation area of the breed, the Nedjed Plateau, the area controlled by the tribe of the Vahabites , which through its oases offered optimal conditions for the development of the breed.

Great importance in the development of the breed was played by the Prophet Muhammad (572-632 C. E.) , WHO specifies in the Qur'an that whoever cares for this breed of horse will have access to Paradise, therefore, the breeding and improvement of the Arabian horse is considered by Muslims as a sacred duty.

In the formation and consolidation of the type and Constitution of the Arab race , a major influence was the climate in the area of formation of the breed,thus, within 24h appear temperature differences of up to 45grc, this fact determining an organism with an adaptation capacity and a special resistance.

Another determining climatic element is the very low humidity of the environment , which in the summer period does not exceed 20%, which explains the large , wide nostrils of this breed, for moistening the inspired Air. Another important aspect in determining the particular resistance of the breed is the harsh foraging conditions of horses in the desert, often days before the animals can be fed and adapted.

The spread of the breed due to the expansion of Islam, this breed has experienced a special development and expansion, the spread area stretching from North Africa to Europe.

Thus, in sec. VII C. n were introduced to Spain by the Arabs, this breed contributing to the formation of most breeds spaniole.In France, the first specimens penetrate also in the sec. Live, through the Islamic invayia.. In Poland, the breed enters through the Turks, in the sec. XVI.

Also, the first imports of Arabian horses were made in the UK at the beginning of the century. XVII. A special situation exists in Egypt , where Viceroy Abbas Pasa (1848-1850) established the National Stud Farm EL ZAHARA , where the most beautiful and valuable breeders in the world still come from. In Hungary, the first copies arrived in the century. Sixteenth century, through the Turks,but the organized breeding of the breed here began only in the century. XIX at the babolna stud.

Here, with the Stallions Shagya and Kuhaylan Zaid even a distinct population was created, recognized all over the world. The genealogy of the Arabian horse currently distinguishes three groups:

1) Arabian thoroughbred horse-are considered those specimens whose maternal and paternal ancestry are of the Arabian breed, moreover, the genealogical origin of these specimens must be demonstrated, as coming from the area of formation of the breed.

2) Arabian Horse-is considered the specimens in which one parent comes from the Arabian Horse thoroughbred , and the other does not have a well-established origin, in this case they are called Hedijin, when the stallion is Arab thoroughbred, and Beradi, respectively, when the mare is thoroughbred.

3) half arab blood are the specimens / populations for the formation of which Arabian horses were used for crossing, after which the intrapopulation breeding and selection was switched.

As for the Arabian thoroughbred horse, a special Systematics has been introduced for centuries, namely, the entire population is divided into three biotypes, or strains, which differ from each other by morphological characteristics. So we have:

A) kuhaylan strain (Koheilan, Koheylan), in translation distinguished horse. Specimens of this strain are considered by the Arabs to be the male type of the breed, characterized by very good muscle development, small, compact body, wide forehead, concave profile;

B) saqlawi strain (Syklavy), in translation shining horse. The specimens of this strain are considered to be the female type of the breed, with fine joints, dolicomorphic body formation, compared to the other strains, also having a special elegance in movement.Together with the kuhaylan strain forms the classic type of the Arabian thoroughbred breed;

C) the Muniqi stem , in translation long neck, is characterized by a lower elegance, being the type of Arabian speed horse.

Appearance Arabian thoroughbred horse

Due to the age of the breed , as well as rigorous selection, the Arabian horse has a very high degree of homogeneity. The breed is characterized by a waist of 145-152 cm with a body mass of 400-450kg.

The lateral body format is typical, square. The robe can be eggplant, murga, balana, but the most desired and rare color is the black one. Roaiba color is generally undesirable, due to the association with Spurs, and implicitly u depigmented hooves or vargate the skin is elastic, thin, easily detachable, with vascularization and underlying musculature very well highlighted.

The covering hair is short, fine , smooth, shiny. The overall impression on the Arabian horse is of a special elegance and nobility correlated with a great expressiveness and overall harmony, as well as with a sometimes even exaggerated liveliness.

The Arabian horse has a small, dry head, slightly conical in shape , with a wide, square forehead, slightly concave or straight profile, very expressive eyes , with protruding orbital arches, nostrils are large, wide. The ears are small, carried vertically and very mobile. The neck is well proportioned to the trunk and has a correct grip to it. The Mane is rich, worn sideways.

Relatively often the deer neck defect can occur. The trunk is characterized by a straight upper line, with a tall, dry greban, back and its short, broad, muscular, strong, well clamped.

The croup is long and wide, square, with the mechanical shaft almost horizontal, well dressed in musculature. The tail is pinched high, with rich hair.

A feature of the breed is the tail carried vertically at rest and far away from the buttocks while walking.

The chest is broad, continued with a deep, broad thorax, but less descended . The limbs are thin, muscular, with wide joints and strong tendons. The hooves are small and hard. The most common aplomb defects in the Arabian Horse are cow elbows.

Arabian horse behavior

Typical of the Arabian horse is the gentle, docile and courageous character. The temperament is very brisk.

There are also specimens with a choleric temperament. Within the Arabian breed is recognized the special ability of transmission of characters to descendants, which determined the use of this breed to improve the majority of equine populations around the globe.

The Arabian horse is very resistant to harsh environmental conditions, to food, has a high resistance to diseases. The intelligence of the Arabian horse is already proverbial, being mentioned in countless anecdotes. He is gentle, affectionate, familiar, to the limit of being nagging.

Minjis, for example, are not afraid of humans and are usually indifferent to sudden and loud noises.The gentility and docility of the Arab are already genetically transmitted characters, because the manjas in a different environment from the Bedouin retain these qualities.

Intelligence, docility and gentleness make the Arabian a horse suitable for many equestrian activities practiced today.

Arabs are excellent both on the ground, in nature, and in horse shows. They are well suited to both dressage and hurdles, but they have no competitors in endurance competitions .

The leading places in endurance competitions almost always go to Arab horse riders. The heritage of the Arabian horse from the Bedouin is the ability to attach and bond deeply with people, which makes them perfect partners for all members of the family.