Many people say that the Arabian is the most beautiful breed in the world. It is probably the oldest and purest, with records dating as far back as 3000 B.C. Legend says that the first person to capture and tame the wild ancestor of the Arabian was Noah's great-great-grandson, Baz. By 1500 B.C. the people of the east had obtained a great mastery over the hot-blooded horses that were the forerunners of the breed we now know as the Arabian.
The nomadic tribes people prized their their desert horses beyond all other possessions and carefully bred them for beauty, stamina and speed.
The Arabian has been used to create and refine other breeds. The thoroughbred, for example, can be traced back to the Godolphin Arabian, the Darley Arabian and the Byerly Turk. In fact, almost every breed and type of horse has traces of Arabian blood.
The Arabian stands an average of 15hh. They are usually gray, bay, chestnut or black, but can come in a variety of other colors as well. They are proud, highly strung, have great stamina and are gentle and courageous. These horses have a unique outline and look. The entire body is in perfect proportion. Their fine, tapering heads have large, flared nostrils, and large, low-placed eyes set wide apart on the head. Their profile is always dished. The ears are small and fine and often curve inward. The throat arches into the neck in a wide curve, and the neck is long, elegant and curved.Arabians have an especially short, slightly dipped back and strong loins, and they carry their tails high. The breed has one less pair of ribs, one less lumbar vertebra, and two less tail vertebra than other horse breeds, giving them their uniquely shaped backs and high-set tails. This allows more air to flow around their quarters. This, together with a thin, silky coat, mane and tail, helps keep the body cool. The legs are fine and clean with very hard, dense bone. The feet are suited to desert condition. They are known for their flowing stride.
Today, the Arabians exist in far greater numbers outside their land of origin than they ever did in the desert. They maintain their reputation as a horse of beauty, intelligence, courage, endurance and romance. They are gentle, affectionate, and have no fear of man. These horses are excellent on the trail as well as in the show ring, where they are a breath-taking sight. They have been shown in english and western pleasure, cutting and reining, harness, jumping, dressage and more. The Arabian's ability to bond with people makes them a perfect horse for family members of all ages.
