Arabian horses: history, character and behavior

Arabian horses are one of the oldest and most prestigious horse breeds in the world. These horses are prized throughout the world for their beautiful appearance, character and endurance.

They have a rich history and a number of remarkable physical, character and behavioral characteristics that set them apart.

History and origin

Arabian horses have a history dating back more than 2,000 years. It is believed that the earliest ancestors of wild Arabian horses lived in the Arabian Peninsula, a desert region with extreme conditions.

Moreover, it is said that there are archeological remains dating back more than 4,000 years, so we are dealing with a pure breed as well as an ancient one.

These horses lived in the villages of the Arabian peninsula, and it was specifically the Bedouins who were in charge of their breeding, using selection techniques that are still used today, becoming expert breeders of Arabian horses.

Survival in the desert depended to a large extent on the quality and performance of their horses.

The aim of these nomadic groups was to obtain a horse with the endurance and speed necessary to ensure its rider's success in battles and long journeys.

As the Bedouins traveled and traded with other cultures, Arabian horses were exported to different regions of the world, leaving an indelible mark on the breeding of equine breeds in Asia, Africa and Europe.

This is how they became a thoroughbred of great quality, making the Arabian horse the origin of the world's light horses.

In addition, starting in the 7th century, records of origins were established for Arabian horses, with the purpose of documenting the purity of the breed.

It was in the 8th century when these horses entered Europe, during the Muslim invasion of Spain. From then on, they began to use the Arabian horse as an "improver" of the native breeds existing in each country.

Morphological characteristics

The purebred Arabian horse is known for its distinctive morphological characteristics that make it instantly recognizable. It is of the mesomorphic type, that is, its physical constitution is both light and resistant.

The Arabian horse's head is small and refined, with a straight or slightly concave profile. It has large, expressive eyes, which give it an alert and kind look. The ears are small, pointed and mobile, and are held erect in an alert attitude.

The nose is fine and the nostrils are large, which facilitates greater breathing capacity.

The neck is long, arched and muscular, with a well defined topline. The neck joins the head in an elegant and proportionate manner. The withers are prominent.

The body is compact and muscular, with a straight topline and a short back. The back is strong and flexible, yet short, with 17 thoracic and 5 lumbar vertebrae, 1 vertebra less than other breeds in both thoracic and lumbar vertebrae.

This particular structure is the basis of its great resistance, which allows it to carry heavier loads.

The croup is straight and the tail is high and bushy. The chest is muscular and merges with a broad thorax. The back is long and sloping. Their limbs are slender but muscular, with well defined tendons. Their hooves are usually hard and resistant.

Arabian horses are usually of moderate stature, with an average height of between 1.45 (being ponies in that case) and 1.55 meters. The weight usually ranges between 350 and 550 kilograms, depending on the height and constitution of the horse.

The Arabian horse is very noble and undemanding. It belongs to the group of warm-blooded horses. Their temperament is restless and lively. They are usually intelligent, sensitive and alert. They are known for their loyalty and close bond with their riders.

Behavior

The behavior of Arabian horses is characterized by a combination of traits that make them unique in the equine world.

-Intelligence: They are widely recognized for their mental acuity. They are able to learn quickly and are sensitive to signals and aids from their rider. This intelligence can make them excellent for training and teaching new commands.

They are generally receptive to training and can quickly learn new skills. However, it is important to use positive and respectful training methods.

-Sensitivity: Arabian horses are extremely sensitive. They can react intensely to subtle stimuli or aids, which means that riders must have a soft touch and be aware of their own behavior when working with these horses.

-Energy and Spirit: They have great energy and spirit. They are known for their stamina and ability to maintain their enthusiasm during long rides or endurance competitions. This makes them a popular choice for disciplines that require endurance and stamina.

-Human companionship: Arabian horses tend to form close bonds with their riders or handlers. They are loyal and can develop deep relationships with the people who care for them. This makes them sensitive to the relationship and the treatment they receive, in addition to being an ideal breed for children.

-Communication: Arabian horses are known to be more vocal than some other breeds. They can neigh, sigh and vocalize in response to different situations. This is part of their way of communicating and expressing emotions.

-Endurance: Because of their history as desert horses, they often have a high resistance to stress and can deal well with adverse conditions or challenging situations.

In summary, what stands out most about the Thoroughbred Arabian horse's personality is its personality and good temperament. Their abilities, among which their speed and physical ability stand out.

Arabian Horse Breeds

Purebred Arabian

Basically it is the pure horse, which has not been mixed with other breeds belonging to other countries. The Arabian thoroughbred horse is the one that we have defined and explained in depth in the previous sections of this news.

The Arabian equine, as we have mentioned, has its origins in the desert, between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, extending northward to parts of Iran and Iraq.

It has been the object of a rigorous selection system by man for 350 generations and this breed is distributed throughout its national territory.

Anglo-Arabian Breed

The Anglo-Arabian is a specific breed of horse that originated through the crossbreeding of two main breeds: the Purebred English Horse and the Arabian horse.

This breed was bred with the goal of combining the characteristics of the PEH, which include speed and endurance in racing, with those of the Arabian horse, which include elegance, intelligence and endurance in long treks.

This breed is used in a variety of disciplines, including equitation, dressage, show jumping and endurance competitions. Their combination of speed and elegance makes them suitable for multiple activities.

Anglo-Arabians are prized in the equestrian world for their versatility. Their lineage combines the best of both parent breeds, making them excellent competitors and companions for those who enjoy riding and equestrian competition.

Hispano-Arabian Breed

The Hispano-Arabian is an equine breed that originated in Spain by crossing Arabian horses (purebred Arabian horses) with purebred Spanish horses.

This breed aims to combine the characteristics of elegance, endurance and versatility of the Arabian horse with the strength and muscularity of the Spanish horse. The result is a horse that combines the best of both breeds.

They are extraordinarily gentle horses, while at the same time possessing agility in their movements, a dynamic temperament and a quick response. They are robust, austere and resistant, capable of overcoming adverse circumstances without much effort.

It is an excellent riding horse, very adaptable and capable of pleasing all types of riders in any sport and/or recreational discipline. This particular predisposition for sport, makes it excel in modalities such as Doma Vaquera, Harassment and Demolition, Eventing, Raid, Dressage and Driving. In addition, it is a breed with a temperament that is very appropriate for equestrian trails and team sports.

The Hispano-Arabian has the physical and mental capacities to subsist, perform in livestock tasks and even compete in the most unfavorable conditions, from the marshes of the Guadalquivir marshes to the Andalusian countryside with temperatures over 40º, and the intense cold climate of Burgos, Avila or Valladolid. It is a creature of robust nature.

Quarab

The Quarab is a crossbred horse resulting from the blending of two main breeds: the Purebred Arabian (Arabian horse) and the American Quarter Horse.

Crossbreeding between Arabians and Quarter Horses began to gain popularity in the United States at the end of the 20th century. The goal was to combine the endurance and versatility of the Arabian with the strength and speed of the Quarter Horse.

The Quarab is a horse that combines the versatility and characteristics of two highly prized breeds in the equestrian world. Its dual lineage gives it the ability to excel in a variety of equestrian disciplines and activities, making it a popular choice for riders looking for a versatile and athletic horse.

Arabian Berber Horse

The Arabian Berber horse is the result of a cross between the Purebred Arabian (Arabian horse) and the Berber horse, also known as the Barb or Berber horse.

These two horse breeds have rich histories and have been bred in different regions of the world, but share characteristics that make the crossbreed interesting and valuable in terms of performance and versatility.

Crossbreeding of these two breeds has occurred for centuries in the Maghreb region and other areas of North Africa.

These horses play an important role in the life of the Berber communities and are used in a variety of activities, from equestrian competitions to traditional agricultural work in the rural areas of the Maghreb, although they are mainly horses of predominantly Berber origin.

It is a medium sized horse a little taller than the purebred Arabian, it has a square shape, the typical morphology of a riding horse adapted to speed. It is a common horse throughout North Africa, with an estimated 185,000 specimens. There is also a small European population.

These are just a few examples of breeds that have been crossed with the Arabian horse to create horses with various characteristics and abilities. Crossbreeding has been used to improve certain qualities or to adapt horses to different equestrian roles and disciplines.

In short, Arabian horses are not only a cultural treasure with deep historical roots in Arabian civilizations, but they are also an exceptionally valuable and versatile equine breed that continues to leave its mark on the modern equestrian world. Their legacy endures as they continue to dazzle people around the world with their beauty and athletic ability.