The Elegance of Arabian Horses: Facts You Might Not Know
The Arabian horse is a sight to behold, easily one of the most recognizable horse breeds. Its dished faces, high tail set, and graceful carriage have won admiration from horse lovers everywhere.
These stunning horses are often the subject of photography, paintings, books, and movies. As a lover of these unique horses, you'll enjoy this collection of fun and interesting facts about the Arabian horse breed.
Origin
The Arabian horse's exact origin is somewhat mysterious, but we know that the Bedouin tribes of Arabia guarded their bloodlines. These horses were cherished, seen as a gift from God that enabled tribes to fly without wings across the Middle Eastern deserts.
Pure Breed
Arabian horses are among the oldest purebred horses in the world. They are thought to be at least 3,000 years old, with some sources dating them back 5,000 years. This breed's look has been preserved over time due to careful breeding.
Beauty
Today, Arabian horses continue to be valued for their beauty, intelligence, and stamina. They have been used to develop several popular breeds, including the Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, and Morgan.
Arabians require less feed, live longer, and have much more stamina than other horse breeds.
People Friendly
Arabians are known for being people-oriented, a trait fostered by the Arabs who raised the foals alongside their children. Unless they are solid white, all Arabian horses have black skin.
Different Coats
The most common coat color for Arabians is bay, but they can also be white, gray, black, brown, or even chestnut.
Endurance Horses
Arabians are amazing endurance horses, in part due to their desert origin and structure. They are fine to medium boned and weigh anywhere from 800 to 1000 pounds. Their large percentage of fast twitch fibers and large, flexible nostrils allow them to breathe better while running.
Missing bone?
Many Arabians have one less vertebrae in their backs, which makes them shorter. They also have one less in their tail, which gives them their famous high tail set.
For their ribs, they have 17 instead of 18, like other horse breeds. This unique rib cage improves their stamina while running long distances.
Historically Famous
Many of the world's most famous men have been known to ride Arabians. Figures such as George Washington, Genghis Khan, Napoleon, and Alexander the Great were all drawn to these intelligent horses. Even notable figures like Julius Caesar, King Richard the Lionheart, and Saladin were often depicted on the back of these magnificent creatures.
Loyal horses
Arabians are not only highly intelligent, but they also possess a strong desire to please their riders.
Their loyal and gentle disposition, coupled with their remarkable stamina and agility, have made them a favorite horse breed for many centuries. This enduring popularity can be traced back to their unique combination of beauty, intelligence, and versatility, a testament to their timeless appeal.