History & Heritage
of the Arabian
Horse
Introduction:
Unparalleled beauty,
a rich history
and a unique ability
to bond with their
owners.
 From
the ancient deserts
of the Middle
East evolved the
oldest known breed
of riding horse,
the Arabian. Now
one of the most
popular breeds
in America, the
Arabians' incredible
energy, intelligence
and gentle disposition
allow riders to
excel in most
equine sports
and activities.
Today, Arabian
horses spend as
much time on the
trail as they
do at horse shows
and other competitive
events.
For
thousands of years,
Arabians lived
among the desert
tribes of the
Arabian peninsula,
bred by the Bedouins
as war mounts
for long treks
and quick forays
into enemy camps.
In these harsh
desert conditions
evolved the Arabian
with its large
lung capacity
and incredible
endurance.
Historical
figures like Genghis
Khan, Napoleon,
Alexander The
Great and George
Washington rode
Arabians. Even
today, 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.
The
prophet Mohammed,
in the seventh
century AD, was
instrumental in
spreading the
Arabian's influence
around the world.
He mandated that
the Arabians'
numbers be increased,
as the horses
would be crucial
to the inevitable
battles that would
be required for
his religious
conquests. He
also proclaimed
that Allah had
created the Arabian,
and that those
who treated the
horse well would
be rewarded in
the afterlife.
These incentives,
coupled with the
Koran's instruction
that "no
evil spirit will
dare to enter
a tent where there
is a purebred
horse," further
spurred the breeding
of the Arabian.
The
severe climate
required the nomads
to share food
and water, and
sometimes even
their tents with
their horses.
As a result, Arabians
developed a close
affinity to man
and a high intelligence.
 Over
the centuries,
the Bedouin tribes
zealously maintained
the purity of
the breed. Because
of their limited
resources, breeding
practices were
extremely selective.
Such practices,
which eventually
helped the Arabian
become a prized
possession throughout
the world, have
led to the beautiful
athletic breed
we know today,
which is marked
by a distinctive
dished profile;
large, lustrous,
wide-set eyes
on a broad forehead;
small, curved
ears; and large,
efficient nostrils.
Even
today the purebred
Arabian is virtually
the same as that
ridden in ancient
Arabia. Arabians
now display their
athletic talents
in a variety of
disciplines from
English to Western,
with the Arabian
positioned as
the undisputed
champion of endurance
events.
If
you're looking
for a companion
who'll be your
partner in adventure
or competition-and
your friend for
life-then an Arabian
may be the horse
for you. Send
for a FREE
publication, "The
Arabian Experience,
A Guide to Arabian
Horse Ownership."
Go
to Origin
of the Arabian
Horse |
