| Starting with the birth of Islam by the Prophet | | | | reached Vienna, where they were stopped by the |
| Mohammed around 600 A.D., Arabia underwent a vast | | | | Polish and Hungarian armies. The Ottoman calvary |
| change in culture. Fired with an intense passion over | | | | was defeated and their Arab horses were taken, |
| their new-found Islamic faith, Arab warriors tore | | | | again as part of the spoils of war. |
| through the desert, mounted on Arabian horses, | | | | Later on, people of the western world began to look |
| spreading the word of their Prophet. These fiery war | | | | to the Middle East for Arabian bloodstock. Between |
| horses, having evolved in harsh desert climates, were | | | | 1683 and 1730, a revolution in horse breeding was |
| graceful yet powerful and magnificent in the heat of | | | | touched off when three Arabian stallions were |
| battle. During this time, these horses helped Arab | | | | imported to England. The imported horses were a |
| warriors spread Islam across the Middle East, North | | | | Darley Arabian, a Byerly Turk and a Godolphin Arabian. |
| Africa, the Mediterranean countries as far west as | | | | These three imports eventually founded the |
| Spain and others as far east as China. This was the | | | | Thoroughbred breed which is known today for its use |
| introduction of Arabian horses and their transcending | | | | in horse racing. Just as Arabian horses, Thoroughbreds |
| beauty to other parts of the world. | | | | are considered a "hot-blooded" horse, known for their |
| Muslim invasions weren't the only way that Arabian | | | | agility, speed, and spirit. The majority of all modern |
| horses reached Europe. During the Crusades, starting | | | | Thoroughbreds can be traced back to these three |
| in 1095 A.D., European armies invaded Palestine. These | | | | Arabian sires. By direct infusion, and through the blood |
| religiously-sanctioned military campaigns were waged | | | | of the Thoroughbred, the Arabian has contributed in |
| by Christian Europe to restore Christian control to the | | | | some form to all of our "light" breed of horses. |
| Holy Land and they were fought over a period of | | | | Later, in the 1800's, travelers during the Victorian era |
| nearly 200 years. Upon return to Europe from the | | | | were enchanted with these "horses of the desert". |
| Middle East, many knights brought Arab horses with | | | | This led to the founding of many Arabian stud farms |
| them as part of the spoils of war. Eventually, knights | | | | throughout Europe. The royal families of Poland, kings |
| and heavy armor became obsolete; a faster, lighter, | | | | of Germany, and other European nations established a |
| more agile horse was needed. The robust, speedy | | | | number of notable studs. Also during this time, Lady |
| Arabian horse fit the bill and they were in high demand | | | | Anne Blunt and Wilfred Blunt led a historical journey |
| for use as cavalry mounts. In subsequent wars during | | | | into the desert to obtain Egyptian and desert stock. |
| this period, the Arabian proved its superiority as an | | | | This led to the founding of the world-famous Crabbet |
| outstanding military mount. | | | | Arabian horse breed which was founded in England. |
| One major infusion of Arabian horses into Europe | | | | This stud eventually provided the foundation horses for |
| occurred when the Ottoman Turks sent over 300,000 | | | | many countries, including: Russia, Poland, Australia, |
| horsemen into Hungary in 1522. Many Turks, who were | | | | North and South America, and Egypt. By the late |
| mounted on pure-blooded Arabian, were captured | | | | 1800's, the popularity of Arabian horses in Europe was |
| during raids into Arabia. By 1529, the Ottomans | | | | exponentially growing. |