| A Beautifully Built Head and Neck | | | | all Arabians, regardless of their height, are classified as |
| Arabian horses have a distinct beauty that is cherished | | | | horses even though 14.2 hands is the traditional cutoff |
| today, just as it was centuries ago in the Middle | | | | height between a horse and a pony. A common |
| Eastern desert by the ancient Bedouins. This beauty is | | | | misconception is that the purebred Arabian isn't strong |
| not only cosmetic but the Arabian horse's build also | | | | due to its smaller height. Their bone density, though, is |
| give it some great advantages. | | | | much greater than that of many other breeds. This |
| Let's take a look at the head and neck of the | | | | gives the Arabian breed physical strength that is |
| Arabian:o A refined, wedge-shaped head that is finely | | | | comparable to many taller animals. |
| chiseledo A broad foreheado Large, lustrous eyes that | | | | For color, Arabian horses are bay, gray, chestnut, and |
| are set far aparto Large nostrilso Small 'teacup' | | | | black and sometimes roan. Common markings on |
| muzzleso Lips that are fine and thino Ears that are | | | | Arabians include: |
| smaller in stallions and of good size in mares. They are | | | | * Stars, stripes, or blaze faces |
| set evenly together and they have great flexibility.o | | | | * Snip noses |
| The skeleton of the head is characterized by a | | | | * A white foot or more, or white stockings |
| relative shortness of skull, slender lower jaw, and a | | | | Arabian horses that appear white are actually gray |
| larger size brain area within the skull. | | | | since their skin is black. White hair on horses grows out |
| The Arabian's head has always been considered a | | | | of pink skin. Arabian horses follow suit and any white |
| thing of beauty and the Arabian's face really sets it | | | | markings found will show white hair growing out of pink |
| apart from other horse breeds. | | | | skin. |
| The majority of Arabian horses display a distinctive | | | | A Pleasant Disposition |
| concave or "dished" profile. Also, many Arabians have | | | | Arabian horses are well known for being affectionate |
| a forehead bulge between their eyes, known as the | | | | and bonding well with humans. This goes back to their |
| Jibbah. The Islamic people believed the Arabian horse | | | | early history with Bedouin tribes in the Middle Eastern |
| was a gift from Allah and that the forehead bulge held | | | | desert. The ancient Bedouins and Arabian horses lived |
| his blessings. From a physical standpoint, the forehead | | | | inter-dependently as a means of survival. The |
| bulge gives the Arabian extra sinus capacity, a plus for | | | | Bedouins often prized these animals and sheltered |
| endurance. Another characteristic that helps with | | | | them from the harsh elements of the desert by |
| breathing and endurance is the arched neck with a | | | | keeping them in their family tend. A strong bond |
| large, well-set windpipe set on a refined, clean throat | | | | formed and through the centuries, the Arabian breed |
| latch. This high-arched neck often signified courage to | | | | has kept its gentleness and its willingness to learn and |
| the ancient Bedouins and Islamics. The cheek bones | | | | please. This makes purebred Arabians perfect for |
| are spread wide apart at the throat, typically between | | | | activities such as riding and showing and it makes |
| five or six inches. This enables the muzzle to be | | | | them a perfect horse for children and families to enjoy. |
| drawn in without compressing the Arabian horse's | | | | Having such a mild and gentle temperament makes |
| windpipe, and permitting the animal to breathe easily | | | | Arabians one of the few breeds that the United |
| when running. As you can see from some of the | | | | States Equestrian Federation allows children to exhibit |
| characteristics that an Arabian has in its head and | | | | stallions in nearly all show ring classes, including those |
| neck, this horse is built for long rides and running. | | | | that are limited to riders under 18. |
| A Powerful Body, Bred to Perfection | | | | A High Intelligence to Boot |
| Arabian horses have a broad chest and a short, but | | | | Arabian horses are classified as a "hot-blooded" horse. |
| strong back and sloped shoulders which give them | | | | Even though they are in the "hot-blooded" category, |
| power and floaty gaits. In general, all horses that are | | | | most Arabians have a natural tendency to cooperate |
| bred to gallop or run need a good length of croup | | | | with humans. This category includes other refined, |
| (posterior or backside) and a good length of hip for | | | | spirited horse breeds that are bred for speed such as |
| proper attachment of muscles (as a rule, both go | | | | Thoroughbreds. Like other hot-bloods, the sensitivity |
| together). Typically, a good-quality Arabian has both a | | | | and intelligence of Arabians enable them to learn |
| relatively horizontal croup and a properly angled pelvis | | | | quickly. It also enables riders to communicate with |
| with good length of croup and depth of hip (or length | | | | Arabians more easily than other horse breeds. Thus |
| of pelvis) to allow agility and impulsion. Of course, within | | | | training them is typically easier than other horse breeds. |
| the Arabian breed there are variations: | | | | A Perfectly Engineered Horse |
| An Arabian horse with wider, more powerfully muscled | | | | Throughout the ages, romantic myths and stories have |
| hindquarters is more suitable for intense bursts of | | | | been told about Arabian horses that give them |
| activity such as reining. | | | | near-divine characteristics. The ancient Bedouins and |
| An Arabian horse with longer, leaner muscles is better | | | | Islamics considered these horses perfect, prizing them |
| suited for endurance riding or horse racing. | | | | for their unparalleled beauty, sturdiness, stamina, high |
| Size and Colors | | | | intelligence, and friendly nature. Virtually unchanged |
| Arabian horses typically stand between 14.1 and 15.1 | | | | through careful breeding, Arabian horses still exemplify |
| hands (57 to 61 inches) tall. Of course there will be an | | | | these same characteristics today and their popularity |
| occasional horse that is over or under this. Therefore, | | | | continues to grow. |