| Today, people love, admire, and depend upon Arabian | | | | because of well-sprung ribs and a deep chest cavity. |
| horses for their superior versatility and athleticism, just | | | | Through careful breeding, strong, resilient legs are free |
| as the ancient Bedouin tribesmen of the Middle East | | | | of most lameness problems that are common in other |
| did so many centuries ago. The Bedouin put their loyal | | | | horse breeds. Some scientists believe the Arabian |
| mounts to the ultimate athletic tests as beasts of | | | | horse has one less vertebra in its back, allowing it to |
| burden and a means of transportation. | | | | carry greater weight. It is qualities like this that give the |
| As encampments moved, Arabian horses carried | | | | Arabian horse superior athleticism and versatility. |
| heavy loads over miles of hot desert sand with little | | | | Basically, Arabian horses can excel in any activity that |
| food or water. Often quieter than stallions, mares | | | | people enjoy doing with horses. |
| served as war horses, allowing their masters to sneak | | | | Genetic Strength That Lasts |
| up on the enemy during tribal raids. These animals | | | | The amazing beauty, intelligence, strength, and |
| were cherished, honored, and loved. Arabians were so | | | | endurance of Arabian horses, still endures today. This |
| crucial to the Bedouin way of life, that they often slept | | | | is greatly due to the Bedouins careful breeding and |
| in the family tent on chilly nights. The horses returned | | | | recording of bloodlines. Since the bloodlines have |
| the love to their masters, developing an intense | | | | remained so pure and have been carefully cultivated |
| protective loyalty and willingness to please. Centuries | | | | over the years, a strong genetic stability, known as |
| of close interdependence with man helped this equine | | | | prepotency has resulted. This ability to pass on traits |
| evolve into a horse with sensitivity, intelligence, and an | | | | allows Arabian qualities such as beauty, intelligence, |
| ability to bond with humans. | | | | endurance, and temperament to become quite evident |
| The Arabian has the distinction of being the oldest living | | | | in crosses with other breeds. For thousands of years, |
| breed of horse. Equus Agilis, one of the four original | | | | people bred Arabian horses to their own stock to pick |
| species of horse has been identified in modern times | | | | up the famous Arabian qualities. In fact, the Arabian |
| as the Arabian horse. While other breeds disappeared | | | | horse is the genetic predecessor of every light horse |
| or were mixed with different breeds, the Arabian | | | | breed in existence today. |
| horse has remain virtually unchanged. Although the first | | | | The Horse For All Uses |
| recorded history of the horse was from 3,000 years | | | | The Arabian is considered one of the best breeds for |
| ago, some archaeologists believe the breed existed as | | | | distance. This is due to their superior endurance and |
| long as 40,000 years ago. | | | | stamina which enable him to consistently win |
| Beauty Meets Athleticism | | | | competitive trail and endurance rides. Arabians are |
| The purebred Arabian is known for its elegant | | | | known to excel in many facets including:o Recreational |
| features. Its dished head, large eyes, arched neck, and | | | | riding - the most popular activity with all horse owners.o |
| high tail carriage precede its reputation as the most | | | | A perfect family horse - they have a loyal and willing |
| beautiful of all breeds. An old Arab expression was | | | | natureo A great horse for children - they have very |
| used to describe this look: "A neck curved like a | | | | affectionate personalitieso Driving and reining events - |
| crescent moon and a nose that could fit into a teacup". | | | | a combined high intelligence and skillful footwork make |
| This refinement, however, is more than just cosmetic. | | | | them more than capable in these events.o Any events |
| The Arabian's natural physical characteristics have | | | | that require speed, agility, and gracefulness |
| helped it perform exceptionally well in today's equine | | | | It is also noteworthy that the Arabian horse was the |
| activities. The short, dished head and wide, flaring | | | | original racehorse. Arabian horses race distances that |
| nostrils allow for maximum oxygen intake. The arched | | | | are similar to Thoroughbreds, with more than 700 |
| neck keeps the windpipe defined and clear to carry air | | | | all-Arabian races held throughout the U.S. annually. |
| to the lungs. There's plenty of room for lung expansion | | | | |