| Type in the Arabian breed of horses should always | | | | to be both swift and have a high stamina as they |
| approached from a broad vantage point and with a | | | | were used as warhorses and for transportation. |
| historical perspective in mind. The summation of | | | | Through the centuries, the Arabian horse was |
| definitive characteristics should be the focus rather | | | | selectively bred with these traits intact to become an |
| than a singular factor or trait of the horse. It is | | | | equine of superior soundness, agility, and versatile |
| paramount that one considers the unique qualities of | | | | athleticism. Arabian horses were expected to have |
| the Arabian, a desert horse, as defined by Lady | | | | great dexterity back in the ancient Middle Eastern |
| Wentworth: utility, soundness, temper, and vitality. | | | | desert as they were the original surefooted vehicles of |
| These are the qualities that separate the purebred | | | | war. |
| Arabian from other horse breeds and they are | | | | They needed the agility to charge swiftly into raids or |
| superior in all respects. More quantitatively, these | | | | battle and be able to make an abrupt turn on their |
| fundamental assessment criteria can be put into the | | | | haunches for a quick getaway. Having this agility |
| context of four major areas: Balance, Quality, | | | | required an ample muscularity and harmonious |
| Movement, and Disposition. | | | | strength. The stride of the Arabian has always been |
| Balance | | | | long, light, powerful, and purposeful. Their movement |
| Arabian horses have superb balance, symmetry, and | | | | has such an efficiency of exertion and fluidity of |
| harmony of proportion. They are distinctly athletic and | | | | motion. These defining traits of the Arabian horse's |
| although balance is essential for all horse breeds, the | | | | movement have carried forward to today as any |
| apex is achieved with the Arabian horse. In other | | | | Arabian of superior type should exude an abundant |
| words, the Arabian is the "epitome of all things that a | | | | athletic ability. |
| quality horse should have" in a compact form. Also, to | | | | Disposition |
| have a correct physical build, balance is fundamental. It | | | | Just as important as balance, quality, and movement to |
| is equally essential in establishing the foundation of | | | | the fundamental definition of Arabian type is disposition. |
| type. Without balance, the Arabian horse would fail to | | | | If the disposition is lacking, then all of the other aspects |
| be a creature of serviceability, which is what has so | | | | are of little consequence. Purebred Arabians as a |
| endeared him to man. Of course, some Arabians in the | | | | breed have always been:o Highly intelligento Kindo |
| breed may exude an extreme in one or more specific | | | | Willing and fairly easy to traino Courageouso Curious |
| attributes such as the head, neck, height, or movement. | | | | and social amongst humans |
| The ultimate goal, though, is balance when it comes to | | | | They have been blessed with a highly spirited |
| a supremely useful Arabian horse. The true beauty of | | | | character while still being manageable. The Arabian |
| the purebred Arabian is in their harmonious body | | | | horse is unrivaled as a companion within the equine |
| movement; this comes from having excellent balance. | | | | world. In the ancient Middle Eastern deserts, Arabians |
| Quality | | | | were forced into an intimate coexistence with the |
| Quality is an attribute that can be elusive and quite | | | | nomadic Bedouins so that both would survive. This |
| hard to quantify, but for those who have seen it, it is | | | | demanded a highly compliant and agreeable disposition. |
| unmistakable. It has been referred to as beauty, | | | | This is, in all likelihood, the most intangible quality that |
| elegance, presence, charisma, radiance, or vitality. | | | | has most endeared the Arabian horse to mankind. |
| Quality is the single element that defines the Arabian | | | | Concisely defined, type in the Arabian breed of horse |
| horse best. Whatever you want to call it, it can be | | | | is the ideal combination of beauty and serviceability. |
| seen in the alert command of the Arabian stallion, the | | | | Neither should be sacrificed at the expense of the |
| confident maternal bearing of an Arabian mare, or the | | | | other if true Arabian type is to be attained. The |
| young foal who shows a zest for life. When looking at | | | | fundamental elements of beauty can be broken down |
| Arabian type, it is important that any Arabian horse | | | | to quality and disposition of the purebred Arabian while |
| should have irreproachable quality. | | | | balance and movement would be the crucial |
| Movement | | | | components of serviceability. For many Arabian horse |
| Also vital to defining Arabian type is movement and | | | | enthusiasts, these are the breed hallmarks that define |
| how capable and efficient the horse is. From a | | | | Arabian type. |
| historical perspective, Bedouin mounts were expected | | | | |