Arabian thoroughbred horse - the horse of sheikhs and Bedouins

History of appearance

The exact date of origin of the breed is unknown. Some historians call it the 5th-6th centuries BC, based on ancient rock ornaments. Others insist on a later date. It is known that the Arabian horse appeared on the Arabian Peninsula, where the warlike Bedouin Arabs lived. They needed strong, hardy war horses, so they developed a new breed.

The Bedouins needed strong and hardy horses

The original representatives of Arabian horses took their origins from Persian, Syrian, and North African animals. Having chosen the best qualities in themselves, the first Arabs became the founders of a new unique breed, purebred and noble.

Horses came to Europe with the beginning of the Crusades. Europeans liked playful, vigorous pets capable of galloping at maximum speed without a break. Later, the Arabian purebred will become the founder of the English one, which is faster and more efficient.

Later, based on Arabian horses, the English riding horse was developed.

Origin story

Photo of the breed:

In the formation of the breed, a major role was played by the constant wars of the Bedouin Arabs, who used these horses as military horses.

As a result of such specific selection with excellent care and feeding in desert and semi-desert conditions, a medium-sized, tightly built, thoroughbred horse appeared, very hardy and playful at a gallop, with excellent movements at all gaits.

For a long time, Arabian horses were the most valuable wealth of local nomads. They were prohibited from sale to other lands, including Europe, under penalty of death.

Crossing Arabian horses with other breeds was prohibited, so the breed has been developing in purity for many centuries.

The first Arabian horses appeared in Europe during the Crusades.

Despite their small stature (in those days, Arabian horses were somewhat smaller than modern ones), these horses were so playful and beautiful that they immediately became improvers of many European horse breeds - riding, draft and draft horses.

The breed has played a huge role in the world horse breeding. Using it the following were created:

• Thoroughbred (Great Britain);
• Barbary (Morocco);
• Andalusian (Spain);
• Lusitano (Portugal);
• Lipizzan (Austria);
• Szagiya (Hungary);
• Oryol trotter;
• Orlovo-Rostopchinskaya;
• Streltsy (and on its basis - Terek) (Russia);
• also heavy draft breeds - Percheron and Boulogne (France).

The Arabian is one of the oldest human-created horse breeds in the world.

It is believed that its ancestor was the local horse of the Arabian Peninsula, which was distinguished by its lightness and endurance. The first images of such horses, found in caves on the Arabian Peninsula, date back to the 2nd millennium BC.

Horses with thin heads and high tails are found in works of art of Ancient Egypt as early as the 16th century BC.

Some researchers of the Arabian horse breed suggested that it originated from the equus caballus pumpelli, a separate subspecies of horse.

However, most scientists are confident that the “dry” eastern desert horses, the ancestors of the modern Arabian horse, descended from Equus ferus caballus, and the breed’s characteristic exterior features were formed under the influence of the environment.

Recent genetic studies of mitochondrial DNA in Arabian horses of Polish and American origin suggest that the modern breed has a heterogeneous origin with ten haplogroups.

The modern concept of breed purity in the modern population has not been traced beyond 200 years.

There are different opinions about where the ancestors of modern Arabian horses originally lived. Most researchers assume that the "proto-Arab" came from the area along the northern edge of the Fertile Crescent.

This theory is supported by the fact that ancient household items depicting horses were discovered on the territory of the Fertile Crescent, while on the Arabian Peninsula they date back no earlier than 1800-2000 BC.

Other scientists believe that the homeland of the Arabian horse is the southwestern corner of the Arabian Peninsula in the territory of modern Yemen, where at that time there were good natural pastures.

This hypothesis received renewed attention following the discovery in 2010 of horse artefacts at Al Maghar in southwestern Saudi Arabia, dating to between 6590 and 7250 BC.

Arabian horse in “native costume”, used both at the exhibition and at the competition

But ultimately, it was the climate and the nomadic culture of the Bedouins that created the Arabian horse. Desert horses were required to have endurance and unpretentiousness, the ability to withstand the conditions of arid deserts with extreme daily temperature changes.

During military campaigns, where there was no pasture or water, the Bedouins fed their horses dates and camel milk.

The Bedouins depended on camels and horses for their livelihood. The Arabian horse was raised as a fighting comrade - playful, hardy, intelligent.

Since many raids required secrecy, mares were used in military operations, since they were calmer, quieter and did not give away the positions of the fighters with their neighing.

To avoid horse theft and protect them from predators and bad weather, the Bedouins allowed the most valuable animals into their tents at night.

Origin of types

For centuries, the Bedouins have traced the origins of each horse through oral tradition.
Horses of the purest blood were known as Asil, and crossing with non-Asil horses was prohibited.

Mares were the most valuable for both riding and breeding, and the pedigrees of all horses were traced through the female line.

The Bedouins did not believe in geldings, and stallions were considered too difficult to train to be good war horses.

Therefore, very high selection requirements were placed on stallions.

Purity of bloodline was very important for the Bedouins. They believed in telegony, believing that if a mare ever mated with a stallion of "impure" blood, then the mare herself and all future offspring would be "contaminated" by the stallion.

Over time, several types have developed in the breed, each of which has unique features and can be traced through the maternal line.

According to the American Arabian Horse Breeders Association, the breed originally had five types: Keheilan, Seglawi, Abeyan, Hamdani and Hadban.

Propagandist and writer Karl Raswan, who has specialized in Arabian horses since the mid-20th century, believed that there were only three types: Kehilan, Seghlavi and Muniki.

However, modern studies of mitochondrial DNA suggest that modern Arabian horses, descended from mares of the same intrabreed type, may in fact not have common maternal ancestors.

The first written pedigrees in the Middle East to use the term "Arabian horse" date back to 1330 AD.

Arabian horse: characteristics and colors

The most common color of the Arabian horse is gray and its shades. Red and bay are also quite common. Representatives of the piebald, silver-bay, and karak colors are known. The rarest color is black, it is characteristic of the Dakhman breed type.

Horse Dakhman

Characteristics:

• origin: Arabian Peninsula;
• life expectancy - 25-30 years;
• height at the withers - 150-156 cm in males, 146-150 cm in females;
• weight - 400-600 kg, depending on age and gender;
• speed - 50-60 km/h.

Karak horse

Advantages of the breed

The Arabian breed is one of the few whose blood has been kept pure for centuries. Scientists believe that this fact influenced the external appearance of animals and their physical abilities. The advantages of the breed line include:

• excellent health;
• longevity;
• fertility;
• unprecedented beauty and grace;
• versatility of using horses;
• endurance.

Attention! Although the Arabian horse is inferior in speed to the English thoroughbred, it is capable of reaching the finish line first due to its endurance.

Exterior requirements

Arabian horses are characterized by distinctive external features. The breed is determined by the exterior.

The neck of Arabian horses is arched

1. In terms of physique, they are dryish, tightly knit, with thin bones. The slightly deflated croup has a round, strong shape and compact size.
2. The back is massive, straight, of medium length, the shoulders are of normal slope, the chest is wide, the stomach is taut and elastic.
3. The neck is set high, extended in an arch, like a swan, with a small head, which is characterized by markings.
4. The face is refined, shortened, with a “pike” concave profile and a wide square forehead. The nostrils are thin, flared wide, the eyes are large, expressive, and the ears are small, mobile.
5. The legs are distinguished by their slender, thin length and neat, strong hooves.
6. The coat is silky, smooth, the mane and bangs are of medium length, soft to the touch. The tail is long and high, held vertically when galloping.

The tail of an Arabian horse is held vertically when galloping.

General description of the breed

An Arabian horse reaches about one and a half meters at the withers, which is quite a bit for the horse breed. A distinctive feature of this breed are strong and strong legs and a beautiful, graceful constitution. It is not for nothing that the neck of Arabian horses is often compared to a swan, it is so long and beautifully curved. The tail is set high and is always carried high when running.

Horses of this breed can be easily recognized by the special profile of their muzzle - they have a slightly concave bridge of the nose. Arabs are also distinguished by a very beautiful head shape, huge eyes and rounded cheeks.

A characteristic feature of these animals is the unusual structure of their skeleton. All horses of other breeds have 18 ribs, but they have only 17. Unlike other representatives of the horse tribe, Arabs have five lumbar vertebrae instead of six. These beauties also have fewer tail vertebrae - 16 versus 18.

Arabian horses are especially beautiful when they are black, white or bright bay. In the first year of life, their color is lighter, and over time, shades of gray and brown specks appear, which experts call buckwheat.

Breed types

There are more than 20 varieties of Arabian purebred horses, each of which has its own characteristics of appearance, behavior, and disposition. There are four most common ones.

The Koheilan type is predominantly bay or brown. A noble, well-mannered animal is distinguished by a dense, strong physique, tall stature, and a wide, deep chest. A specific sign of Koheilan is black circled eyes. He makes an excellent horse.

Horse Koheilan

The Siglawi type is endowed with a medium-sized constitution, refined features, and a light and fragile shape. Siglavi is usually gray in color. He has moderate agility and a relatively calm disposition. Siglavy is an ideal show horse.

Siglavi horse

The Hadban type does not belong to a breed type; more often it is an admixture with another breed. He is tall, has a long body, and is large in shape. Hadban is extremely hardy, strong, and ideal for sports.

Horse Hadban

The Koheilan-Siglavi type is a mixed type of two varieties of horse. It is characterized by dry lightness and massive density. It is distinguished by its great performance, obedience and ability to withstand long-term loads.

Koheilan-Siglavi horse

Popular types of Arabian horse also include:

• Maanegi;
• Hamdani;
• Ajus;
• Obeyan;
• Tarjour.

Red Koheilan

External signs of an Arabian horse

This breed has a unique profile, which is determined by a combination of structural features of the animal’s skeleton. Arabian horses have 16 caudal vertebrae, unlike other breeds, which have only 6. Thoroughbreds also have more ribs than most other horses - there are 17. There are 5 lumbar vertebrae, while other breeds have 18. The animal’s head has a concave “pike” profile, which also differs in appearance from other horses.

Arabian stallions are characterized by a small head size, expressive eyes and relatively large for the miniature of the skull. The neck is characterized by a beautiful curve and length. The chest is wide, like the back of the horse. The legs are well developed, strong, the hooves are strong.

One of the main characteristics of the Arabian breed horses is also the high-positioned “cock” tail, which the stallions raise while running.

Among the purebred horses of the Arabian breed, there are 4 types of exterior:

1. Koheilan. Massive representatives of Arabs with a strong physique and developed muscles. Horses of this type have strong bones and a wide chest. Such animals are highly valued as horses; they have maximum endurance. Colors - bay and red.
2. Siglavi. Average build, short height. Stallions of this type of exterior are distinguished by pronounced external characteristics of the breed - they are beautiful and graceful. They are used less often in horse racing, as they are inferior in agility. Most often these are horses of gray color.
3. Koheilan-siglawi. A type that combines a high level of performance and attractive appearance. These horses are distinguished by their rather large height and well-developed muscles, and can have any color.
4. Hadban. The largest representatives of the breed, the most enduring sports horses.

Black Arabian stallions are extremely rare, but are highly valued in any type of exterior.

Character and disposition

Horses are good-natured, friendly, and flexible in nature. They have a peculiarity - to trust the owner and become strongly attached to him, showing indifference to strangers. Horses have good hearing, vision, and excellent memory. They easily remember the road and show high intelligence. Thanks to long-term human upbringing, purebreds became domesticated pets.

Arabian horses exhibit high intelligence

The ability to learn makes horses excellent mounts for racing with a rider. Arabian horses are hardy, carved, and fast. They can reach galloping speeds of up to 70 km/h. The movements of animals in any type of gait are distinguished by clarity, coherence, and regularity.

The way of life of horses in the wild took a long time to develop. They are characterized by good health and resistance to dry weather. Constant crossings of deserts made them adapted to difficult conditions. Long legs with strong hooves are designed for long walks across the sand.

Arabian horse

Arabs are characterized by late sexual development, but this is compensated by a long ability to reproduce. Females are very fertile and can bear healthy offspring in adulthood.

Character

Arabian horses are kind and flexible. The Bedouins have instilled these traits in their breed since ancient times. Previously, a horse in Arab tribes was a luxury and was perceived as an integral part of the family. The horses were kept near the house, trained to handle, and developed trust in humans. But at the same time, the animal had to be distrustful of strangers, so that even if the owner died, it would not fall to the “stranger”. All these traits are inherent in modern horses: they become attached to the house and owner, but rarely show interest and condescension towards strangers.

Also, Arabian horses are extremely energetic; stallions are often quick-tempered and “hot.” They are temperamental, brave and inquisitive.

Effect on other breeds

Over the entire period of its existence, the purebred Arab has made a huge contribution to the emergence of new and improving the qualities of already bred breeds. In international horse breeding, the horse has influenced many popular riding species:

• English thoroughbred;
• Trakehner;
• Hanoverian;
• Andalusian;
• Barbary;
• Hydran;
• Shagiya;
• Lusitano;
• Lipizzanian.

Barbary horse

Representatives of Russian racing and trotters also have Arabian blood:

• Orlovskaya;
• Donskaya;
• Streletskaya;
• Terskaya;
• Budyonnovskaya.

The Arab did not ignore the French draft horses Percheron and Boulogne, as well as some varieties of European ponies.

Percheron horse

Origin of the species and description

Photo: Arabian horse

This breed was formed during the Arab wars with the Bedouins. At this time, the Arabs actively used horses in battles. As a result of existence in an arid desert climate and a specific lifestyle and diet, a breed was formed that is distinguished by its short stature and stocky build. This breed is also considered very hardy and capable of developing high speed while galloping.

For a very long time, Arabian horses were considered the main and almost main asset of the local population. The legislation in force within it prohibited the sale of horses on the territory of other states, as well as crossing them with representatives of other breeds. Violation of this rule was punishable by death.

Video: Arabian horse

According to notes in the chronicles, the first representatives of this breed appeared around the period of the Crusades. They differed from all the others in their extraordinary beauty and stature. Due to their beauty, many peoples used them to improve other horse breeds. It was this breed that made a huge contribution to world horse breeding. With her participation, many new breeds of horses were formed, which later became elite and very expensive.

These breeds include:

• the Barbary breed was developed in Morocco;
• Thoroughbred in the UK;
• Andalusian native to Spain;
• Lipizzaner from Austria, etc.

The Arabian horse is considered one of the most ancient breeds. There is a version that the founder of the Arabian horse breed was a horse from the Arabian Peninsula, which was distinguished by endurance and agility. The very first mentions of representatives of this breed are found in the form of rock paintings. Presumably they date back to the second millennium BC. Many of these types of horses are found in the folk art of Ancient Egypt during the period 13-16 centuries BC.

Breeding and use

Purebred horses are bred in many countries, mainly in the USA, England, France, Germany, and Spain. It is noteworthy that there are no professional purebred breeders on the Arabian Peninsula.

Breeding activities are aimed at several areas of activity:

• races, races, sports competitions;
• amateur races;
• breeding production;
• creation of new lines;
• improvement of existing types;
• admixture with other breeds to produce new ones.

Arabian horse racing

Stallions and mares are not picky about grooming. Initial wandering through the deserts with the Bedouins hardened the horses' bodies. But experienced breeders know that animals are sensitive to food and moist cold air. It is recommended to purchase a horse in the climate zone in which the stable will be organized.

The use of Arabian horses in sports involves various profiles:

• dressage Involves an artistic gait with the rider;
• flat race. They are a race from separate boxes along a ring road without barriers;
• run the distance. This is a speed race along a circular road for a certain distance.

The Arabian horse is used in equestrian sports

Arabs begin to be trained at the age of 2. Experienced jockeys do training and conduct tests. From the age of 3, a horse is allowed to compete in sport racing. Some equestrian sports only allow pets to be 4 years old.

Video - Horse racing Dubai World Cup 2016

Existing types

The Arabian horse breed itself is divided into several separate families, the most famous of which are Kohlani, Kadishi and Atesh.

Kohlani are far superior to other subspecies of this breed, since they have been carefully selected for more than two thousand years. The most noble of the Arabian horses are considered to be the Nejeds, who live in the central regions of Arabia.

If we talk about the exterior of these animals, modern experts distinguish four main types:

• Siglavi . These horses are distinguished by a medium to light build and short stature. The Siglavi color is mostly gray. As horses, these animals are inferior to other subspecies due to their not the highest agility;

• Koheilan . These horses have a broad chest and a strong, even somewhat massive constitution. The color is mostly red or bay. Koheilans are beautiful and very hardy horses;

• Koheilan-siglawi . As the name implies, these are hybrids of the first two subspecies. The massive physique of the Koheilans is harmoniously combined with the refined beauty of the Siglavi. These animals are distinguished by their high growth and high performance. The color of these hybrids can be gray, red or bay;

• Hadban . The main color of this subspecies of Arabian horses is red or bay, although gray specimens are also found. These are the largest, fastest and most durable sports horses among all varieties of Arabian horses.

Alas, at present, purebred Arabian horses are difficult to find even in their homeland due to the large number of so-called half-breeds, which in breeding work are not capable of providing that perfect foundation that is so valued by breeders. In this regard, purebred Arabian horses are very expensive (compared to the same half-breeds).

Anglo-Arabian horse

The breed is currently considered one of the most popular. Anglo-Arab horses were bred in Great Britain by horse breeders who set out to create ideal animals. To do this, a purebred Arabian horse was crossed with an English one. From the Arab side, the animals inherited unpretentiousness and elegance, and from the English side, large dimensions, speed and quick thinking. From the point of view of breeders, Anglo-Arab horses really turned out to be ideal: they are well built and hardy, unusually fast and able to instantly navigate the situation.

Nowadays, horses of this breed are bred not only in Great Britain, but also in France. During the selection process, horse breeders noticed that the largest and strongest individuals are born when English mares are crossed with Arabian stallions . If you cross an Arabian mare with an English stallion, their offspring will come out much smaller and weaker.

Anglo-Arab horses are distinguished by an elongated head with huge eyes and deep-set ears. The neck is long and muscular, the withers are well defined. The body is small, the chest is wide. The height of horses is approximately 1.60−1.70 m, in some cases even higher. The legs are powerful and muscular, the hooves are unusually strong. In the old days, representatives of the breed were used in French warfare - thanks to their strong hooves, the horses could move quickly even over very bad terrain, were very smart and had very sensitive hearing, which made them ideal assistants in battles.

Use in Russia

Horses bred by Russian horse breeders are famous for their exceptional qualities, which have been developed over the years through regular training, testing, and hippodrome racing. Russian Arabians in the 7 km race show results that exceed the performance of the Don, Akhal-Teke, and Terek breeds, but do not reach the level of the English thoroughbred or Budennovskaya.

Arabian horse breeding is popular in Russia

The scheme for raising and training Arabian horses established in Russia differs from foreign ones. Foals up to 1.5 years old are trained according to a simplified system in a common school. Individual training of young animals begins at 1.5 years and lasts from 6 to 12 months. After two years, the horse is ready to take part in sports races, horse racing, and dressage.

At professional stud farms in Russia they are successfully engaged in breeding activities. It involves the founding of new families with excellent riding properties, mixing with other lines to improve breed characteristics, admixture with riding or racing breeds to give them increased agility.

Arabian horse festival at the Tersky plant

Recognized stud farms in Russia engaged in breeding Arabian horses:

• "Oros", Krasnodar region;
• “Tersky tribal”, Stavropol region;
• "Khrenovsky", Voronezh region;
• "Veles", Penza;
• “Starozhilovsky”, Ryazan region;
• Moscow stud farm No. 1.

Horse character

Endurance is the quality of Arabian purebred horses that is valued above all else by breeders. This horse can gallop 135 km in 24 hours! It was the harsh climatic conditions that made these animals so hardy. Although the fact that they were often used in battles also played a significant role.

Arabian horses are long-lived

It is also important to note that the Arabian horse is distinguished by its developed intelligence. They understand a lot and learn very quickly. At the same time, they have a proud character, so the animal may be offended if it doesn’t like something. Moreover, these are vindictive animals, so they may not forgive offenses.

The Arabian horse breed is not suitable for a beginner. Proud horses listen only to those riders who are confident in their actions and know how to behave with horses. They must have significant experience in communicating and raising these animals, otherwise the training may be delayed. Even if the horse understands what is required of it, it may not follow the order because it will not feel the confident hand of its owner.

It is interesting that in addition to being flexible, the Arabian horse is stubborn. It is impossible to force him to do anything against his will, and brute force in this case is completely useless. They are easy to navigate and can decide for themselves what to do next. However, if an Arabian purebred horse has a close relationship with its owner, then it will try to please him in everything.

Cost, purchase and sale and documentation

Buying a horse is an impressive financial investment. The cost of an Arab on the world market is measured in thousands of dollars. The price depends on the origin of the horse, its age, condition, participation in exhibitions or equestrian sports, the presence of awards, and reproductive potential.

The most budget representative of the hobby class for amateur riding will cost from $5,000. Foals and young animals are estimated at 20-60 thousand dollars. A good sire or broodmare can be purchased for no less than $300,000, but more often than not, stud stallions are not sold. Champions and prize-winners of sports competitions are valued at $1 million or more.

Champion Arabian horses valued at $1 million

Buying or selling a horse requires completing a package of documents. Using a pet as a pet horse without professional trips does not require you to have documents, but animals are allowed to presentations, races or auctions only if they have the appropriate documentation.

Ownership of a horse is determined by the deed of sale. It indicates the date of the transaction, the names of the seller, the buyer and the notary who certified the deed. It also contains data about the breed, characteristics, origin, and cost of the horse.

Example of a contract for the sale and purchase of a horse

A passport confirming the identity and breeding origin of the horse is issued by the All-Russian National Research Institute of Horse Breeding VNIIK. Registration of a breeding passport for an Arabian horse costs $250. The breeding certificate contains the following information:

• breed;
• origin;
• nickname;
• passport ID;
• pedigree up to the 4th line;
• owner's passport details;
• description of external signs.

In order for a pet to participate in sports tests, a sports passport is required, which is issued by the Equestrian Federation of the Russian Federation. It contains a photograph of the animal, information about the owner, the external characteristics of the horse, its ancestors, vaccinations, and participation in competitions.

VNIIK passport

An export passport is required to participate in events abroad, as well as for sales abroad. To receive a certificate, you need to donate horse blood to the VNIIK laboratory.

A horse certificate from a veterinary service is required for many purposes - border crossings, sporting events, presentations, exhibitions. Without a medical examination, a horse is not allowed to compete in local or international racing. The veterinarian's certificate contains information about:

• vaccinations;
• blood tests;
• deworming;
• laboratory research;
• tagging the horse with an identification microchip;
• graphic description.

There is also a veterinary passport for the horse. It is not required by law, but it is recommended to have such a document.

Usage

The main focus of the Arabian horse breed is participation in various competitions. These are exhibitions and shows, smooth racing at hippodromes, distance runs. Animals can jump from the age of 3 years, and at two years old they begin testing on hippodromes. Three times the Soviet “Arabs” won the “European Prize”.

Today, in many Russian hippodromes you can watch races on oriental horses. The All-Russian Derby takes place at the Pyatigorsk Hippodrome. The best representatives of the “Arabs” are now bred in the Tersky, Pyatigorsk and Moscow stud farms. They are also kept on private farms.

“Arabs” are good at amateur riding and non-professional equestrian sports. They are also used for introductory crossbreeding in horse breeding to improve other sport horses. And selection work is carried out to preserve and improve the qualities of the breed, and to increase growth.

To evaluate the speed of the horses, we will give exact figures: they run a distance of a kilometer in just a minute and 8 seconds, 50 km in an hour and 38 minutes. Individuals of both sexes cover 100 km in 6 hours. The Arabs show good speed and endurance even at distances of 160 km.

Maintenance and care

Horses can be kept either individually or in herds. Herds are considered the most profitable financially; they produce especially strong, hardy and seasoned animals. The rate of increase in the number of horses in herds is significantly higher than in single housing.

Herds are organized based on the gender and age of the pets. Breeding males, athletes, and young animals are kept separately. Mares are divided into single, pregnant, suckling and young mares.

Herd of Arabian horses

Regardless of the type of keeping, animals require careful care:

• spacious stall;
• balanced diet;
• daily grazing;
• Regular cleaning and washing.

Prices for shampoos for horses

Shampoo for horses

Foal

Pregnant mares are kept in a separate school. The gestation period - pregnancy - in females lasts 340 days, plus or minus 2 weeks. At this time, they require especially careful attention, dietary nutrition for the first 240 days and enhanced nutrition for the last 100. The diet should include a sufficient amount of calcium, phosphorus, protein, and vitamins.

Arabian mare with foal

Childbirth usually occurs in the dark. A characteristic sign of an approaching foal is the horse's search for solitude. In the absence of negative experience of labor, the mare is able to give birth on her own, without human intervention. It is advisable to approach the female who has given birth no earlier than after 3 hours.

Care and feeding

Purebred horses are low maintenance. A spacious and warm stable is enough for them. Animals need to be walked twice a day. After a hard day, you should clean your hooves and remove dirt from the coat.

Horses are bathed twice a week in the warm season, using special means. After washing, the body is wiped dry and the animal is released for a walk in the sun. The mane is combed first with a large comb, and then with a small one.

Despite the strong immunity given by nature, horses need regular veterinary examination. Compliance with hygiene standards and proper nutrition is the key to animal health.

Arrangement of the stables

A stable is a permanent place for a horse to stay during his free time from walking or working. This is where the pet lives, sleeps, eats, and rests. A stable for the Arabian breed should be spacious, clean, warm, with a comfortable humidity level.

There are stables for one or more animals. The construction of a comfortable stall can be entrusted to professionals, but it is possible to build it yourself.

Arrangement of the stables

What to pay attention to when building a stable?

1. Choose a place for construction on a spacious hill, away from bodies of water, populated areas and highways. This will ensure dryness of the room during heavy rains, availability of fresh air, silence, and comfortable living conditions.

Choose a site away from populated areas and highways

2. Make a powerful, strong foundation with high-quality moisture insulation. An excellent material for the base of a stable is roofing felt.

Stable foundation

3. Use only certified building materials that have heat-resistant, waterproof, and fireproof properties.

4. Make the floor soft, warm, strong. It is better to put adobe or asphalt in the stall, wooden or concrete in the passage. Be sure to provide small gutters at the outlet to drain liquid from the stall.

Floors in stalls and aisle

5. Lay a layer of soft, heat-resistant bedding made of straw, shavings, and sawdust on the floor. This will keep your hooves comfortable.

It is best to place a layer of straw or sawdust on the floor in the stall

6. Install walls that can retain heat and prevent drafts. The thickness of the walls depends on the local climate - in cold regions the recommended thickness is 20-25 cm. The best materials are brick, wood, adobe.

Stable walls

7. Build a solid, durable metal or slate roof with flashings. The optimal height is 3-3.5 m. Make the ceiling from hard boards, laying sand, clay, and straw on top.

Exterior view of the stable roof

8. Install a powerful ventilation system in your stable. A supply and exhaust ventilation system is ideal. The microclimate of the room should be at the level of 5-12°C.

Stable ventilation diagram

9. Pay attention to the lighting of the stable. Place the windows at a height of 2 m from the floor so that the animals are not blinded by the sun. In northern regions, double glazed windows are required. Artificial lighting can be installed.

Stable lighting

10. Make convenient feeders. They should be located at a height of 100 cm from the floor. The optimal depth of the feeder is 30-40 cm, the width corresponds to the width of the stall.

Example of a feeder in a stall

Also, do not forget about utility rooms for stable staff, washing horses, storage of feed, equipment, and harness. A corral needs to be set up nearby. The size of the pen is determined at the rate of 20 m2 per animal.

Breeding Features

It cannot be said that the Arabian horse breed is difficult to breed and maintain, but still some features are worth knowing. Firstly, they are very sensitive to damp and humid climates. We must not forget that the breed comes from the East, so horses, although they can tolerate low temperatures, do so in a dry climate. In regions with a harsher climate, it is worth purchasing horses of local lines, bred and raised in similar conditions. It is also worth noting that the Arabian horse has a very sensitive digestive system. History remembers quite a few cases of the death of these horses due to colic.

To maintain the purity of blood, only purebred individuals with a mark on the genetic line are allowed to breed. However, the Arabian horse is often used to improve the working and conformation qualities of other riding and working breeds.

Grazing

You need to walk your Arabian horse twice a day. The herds are released onto spacious but fenced pastures. Horses living in stables graze in paddocks - fenced-in pens near the stall.

In winter, grazing occurs depending on air temperature, precipitation, and wind strength. Arabs find it difficult to tolerate dampness, cold, and low temperatures. In weather from -15°C, it is advisable to limit the duration of walks or provide the pet with increased exercise - galloping, jumping, training.

Horse grazing

Health and Stamina

Having lived for so many centuries with nomadic tribes, Arabian horses acquired good health and exceptional endurance. These horses are able to overcome distances that other riding breeds cannot do. They are adapted to long-term movement without sufficient water and food, and to heavy loads. In long-term horse racing, Arabian horses have no equal.

Arabians are strong, resistant to sudden changes in air temperature. With proper care, they practically do not suffer from diseases typical of other riding horses. However, there are colics. According to historians, Count Orlov’s famous gray Arab, Smetanka, died from an attack of colic. It is not advisable for Arabian horses to soak feed: feed it only in dry form.

Cleaning

Daily brushing of a horse ensures that it has a well-groomed appearance, shiny hair and a healthy condition. It is important to know how to properly wash an Arabian horse so as not to harm the delicate skin.

Step-by-step instructions for cleaning a horse

Prepare the necessary equipment:

• whalebone brush;
• hair brush;
• rubber scraper;
• plastic or rubber scraper;
• separate sponges for the face and under the tail;
• velvet cloth;
• wooden comb;
• hoof hook;
• vacuum cleaner.

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Arabian thoroughbred horse: pros and cons

The Arabian horse breed originated from the horses of North Africa and Central Asia about five thousand years ago. Bedouin tribes led a nomadic life in the 4th-7th centuries. AD on the Arabian Peninsula, fought in its central part, and were engaged in breeding horses of unprecedented beauty, noble and crowned with glory.

There was no written language yet, so the Bedouins told each other beautiful stories about horses with fast legs. Some claimed that only from the palms of Allah could these beautiful animals be released. Others said that Mohammed brought amazing horses with him during his escape from Mecca.

Another legend says that the mare of an Arab warrior, who was being pursued by enemies, gave birth to a filly during a halt. The warrior did not want to take risks, so he was forced to ride on. To save his life, he had to leave the newly born foal. After some time, he again let the tired mare rest. And suddenly he saw a newborn jumping up after her mother. The warrior’s surprise and joy knew no bounds. He raised a filly, and from her came a purebred Arabian horse. The Arabs believe that the south wind became the father of all the children of this courageous horse.

Indeed, the Arabian horse is fertile. Her children are hardy and fast at a gallop, so they repeatedly defeat their brothers that are larger than them. Arabs have five vertebrae on the lower back and 16 vertebrae on the tail. The remaining breeds are endowed with six lumbar and 18 caudal vertebrae, as well as one more rib, which is absent in the Arabs, whose height is up to one and a half meters.

The Arabian thoroughbred horse is distinguished by its dry head and concave profile, expressive eyes, wide nostrils and small ears. Along long and obliquely set shoulders, a body with a voluminous chest and a short, flat back, as well as a high-set tail, a thin, swan-like neck, on which there is a silky mane. Her clean legs are firm, but you can see tendons and dense dry bone. The correct shape of the hooves adorns the limbs.

The Bedouin Arab tribes constantly conflicted and fought, so horses were the main mobile force in military operations in the hot desert. Experienced warriors needed a thoroughbred horse that was not very large, tightly built, frisky at a gallop, capable of moving quickly during a gait and bearing the brunt of the battle.

The advantage of the small Arab is that it could withstand heavy loads. Developing such qualities, this beautiful animal was formed, subjected to stress in harsh climatic conditions, where heat, drought and cold were combined, but was provided with decent care and nutrition. Selected grain with flour and dates served as food for horses, and milk from goats and camels was used for drinking.

The Bedouins valued mares very much; they knew the pedigree of the horses by heart and followed the words of the prophet Mohammed, who, in their opinion, believed that the best horse would be a pregnant mare with her other children running after her.

For many centuries, nomads considered the proud animal to be the property of the nation and did not sell Arabs to merchants of other countries. For violating the taboo they faced the death penalty. The Bedouins never crossed a purebred mare with an ignoble stallion. Such a sin was punishable by death. Therefore, in our fast-moving age, the Arabian purebred horse has been preserved. However, children resulting from crossing a purebred horse and a mare with a dubious pedigree are considered not purebred. Arabians usually have dark skin, which can be strikingly combined with white and gray fur. Dark color is considered a clear sign of Arab purebred. The varieties are considered to be gray, red, black colors of animals, piebald (roan), silver-bay (marine). Due to their diversity, some horses do not have “oriental painted” eyes and noses, although the features of the Arabian are perfectly inherited.

Horses are now not only beasts of burden, they have their own specific responsibilities. They participate in horse races, programs for the rehabilitation of people with disabilities, shows, and give rides to children. Animals are endowed with a wayward character that can be tamed, and they demonstrate intelligence and talent independently in any activity. Famous horse races in Dubai are not complete without Arabian horses - the favorite animals of Arabian sheikhs. Sheikhs and breeders rarely sell pets dear to their hearts. They can give them to a good friend, as required by ancient tradition.

After Arabians were brought to Europe, breeders began selection in new conditions, different from the horses usual for this breed, with their own standards of beauty. Thus, Hungarian horses are endowed with a slightly different profile; they have a slightly pronounced neck bend. American ones are noticeably fatter and are shown with shaved heads. Persian and Turkmen breeds came to Russia together with Arabs under Ivan the Terrible. During the war with the Turks at the end of the 18th century, they appeared in the stables of Count Orlov.

Through selection, the Oryol riding horse and the Oryol trotter were created. During the civil war, the people destroyed the entire population of the Arabian horse. Then in the 1930s. she was purchased from breeders in England, France and Poland and crossed between these three lines of animals. In the 40s New stud farms were created where new species and purebred Arabian horses were bred. Among the new ones, the Streltsy breed distinguished itself, having earned authority among horse breeders in Europe and America. She rightfully received valuable prizes at various exhibitions both in the country and abroad.

Horseshoe

A horseshoe serves more than just an aesthetic purpose for a horse. A horseshoe protects the soft skin of the limbs from damage and the horny part from cracks.

Horse shoeing

There are several types of horseshoes for the Arabian horse:

• universal. Used by most representatives of the breed;
• special. Created for racing on hippodromes, ensures the correct gait;
• orthopedic. Used for injuries or bruises of the limbs;
• studded. Installed in winter for comfortable travel on slippery terrain.

Types of horseshoes for horses

Films about Arabian racing horses

Such films delight in the beauty of the shooting, interesting plot and fullness of emotions. The most impressive are the main characters - Arabian horses, distinguished by their nobility and courage. Among all the variety, the following films are considered the most memorable:

1. Black Beauty (1994)
   . The film is based on a book written by English writer Anna Sewell. It tells about the difficult life of a horse who went through a lot, as a result he found a friend and became happy.
2. Dreamer (2005)
   . The film is based on real events. The horse was injured at the races and was given to a farm. The love of the owners not only completely cured the animal, but also greatly united the family members.
3. War horse (2011)
   . The plot tells about wartime, when a boy's four-legged friend was taken away to help the cavalry. To find the horse, the kid went to the front.

Health

Horses, like any living creature, are prone to illness. The Arabian breed is slightly susceptible to disease, but some ailments cause great harm to the pet’s body.

Most diseases can be cured or even prevented. Knowing the features of proper prevention and treatment, you can raise a healthy, strong horse.

The Arabian horse has a strong immune system

The most common ailment of the Arabian horse is stomach colic . They occur due to a sensitive gastrointestinal system. Poor nutrition, harmful components or deficiency of useful ones can provoke acute pain. To avoid colic, you need to follow simple rules.

1. Ensure a smooth transition from crushed feed to coarse feed.
2. Monitor the quality of food consumed by your pet.
3. Avoid soaking food in water as this releases excess enzymes.
4. Increase the daily dose gradually, without sudden changes.
5. Include enough fiber in your diet.
6. Give out food from new producers, mixing with the previous one.

Digestive system of the horse

Laminitis also occurs in racing breeds. It is an injury to the upper layer of the limb under the hoof. The first signs of laminitis are a shuffling gait, refusal to move, and increased temperature of the legs. It usually occurs after prolonged exposure to hard surfaces or excessive feeding.

It is possible to eliminate the injury by contacting a veterinarian and taking a number of measures.

To avoid infectious or viral diseases, it is necessary to undergo regular examinations by a veterinarian, undergo mandatory deworming tests, blood tests, and vaccinations.

Healthy horse

Mandatory vaccines in Russia:

• from the flu;
• from anthrax;
• from lichen;
• from rabies;
• from rhinopneumonia;
• from tetanus.

Once every 6 months, blood is drawn for glanders, breeding disease, infectious anemia, and leptospirosis.

Animal health

The endurance that the Arabian horse is distinguished by is due to the excellent health of the animal, but this applies only to purebred individuals, but crossbreeds can let us down in this regard.

A high-quality Arabian stallion is not tall or overly strong. However, he can easily deliver an adult rider from one point to another, even over a long distance. A breeder of Arabian horses never has to complain about the health of their horses.

The Arabian horse was bred in a hot country. The body of horses is adapted to withstand high temperatures and cool themselves in the heat. For example, these horses have quite thin skin, so heat transfer occurs faster. At the same time, Arabian horses also withstand cold weather.

It should also be noted that Arabian horses live a very long time. If you compare them with other breeds, Arabians seem like real long-livers. If you provide the horse with normal care and maintenance, and also do not overload it with work, then the animal can live up to 30 years. Until old age, mares give birth to offspring, which is also important when breeding this breed.

Feeding

Feeding horses is the most important part of animal care. Food should be fresh, without an unpleasant odor, and clean. The content of vitamins, microelements, and minerals in food provides the horse with a comfortable, well-fed state, vigor, and longevity.

Arabian horses eat hay

Drink

Water is an integral part of the daily diet. Clean drinking water is given before feeding 4-5 times a day, 40-60 liters in summer, 20-40 liters in winter. A comfortable water temperature for a pet is 10-15°C. It is not recommended to give your horse anything to drink within 30 minutes of active training or competition.

Arabian horses at a watering hole

Basic diet

The basis of the Arabian horses' diet is wheat, to which they have become accustomed over centuries of existence.

1. Also, the basic daily diet includes 4-6 kg of peeled steamed oats, for sports horses - 7.
2. The daily intake of oat or wheat straw is 0.5 kg.
3. For Arabs, barley is a nutritious but difficult-to-digest food that can be given in small portions at night or diluted with hay.
4. Grass hay (alfalfa) with 15% moisture must be given out 4-5 times a day, 1 kg.
5. Bran from oats or wheat contains a sufficient dose of phosphorus. The daily norm of bran is 1 kg.
6. Rye is extremely undesirable in the diet - it is poorly digested by the sensitive digestive system of the Arabian horse.
7. Grain legumes are given only to training young animals and breeding stallions as a protein supplement.
8. Flaxseeds, pre-boiled, have a positive effect on your pet's hair. The daily norm of seeds is 0.5 kg, with intensive training - 1 kg.

The basis of the diet of Arabian horses is wheat

The presence of high-quality oil in food is mandatory:

• fish fat;
• olive;
• sunflower;
• linen;
• soy.

Nutritional supplements

For complete, balanced nutrition, a horse needs daily nutritional supplements:

• probiotics. These are beneficial bacteria that are beneficial to the delicate intestinal microflora;
• prebiotics. These are enzymes that stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria;
• yeast. The usual culinary, beer, and bread products are suitable. They are rich in vitamin B, promote the absorption of fiber;
• succulents;
• fresh vegetables, fruits - beets, carrots, potatoes, apples, bananas, watermelon.

Pro- and prebiotics in the horse diet

The daily norm of succulents is 2-3 kg.

The Arabian horse is an excellent horse that wealthy people can afford. Breeding the Arabian breed requires a careful approach, comfortable maintenance, regular cleaning, and good nutrition. By following simple but important rules for keeping a horse, it is possible to raise a healthy, endurance athlete or breeding sire.

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Content

It is recommended to create favorable conditions for keeping animals of this breed. It is best to keep these horses in a herd, as this method is considered economical. Herd keeping contributes to the formation of the character of animals.

They become hardy and hardened. In addition, in this way you can breed Arabian horses much faster. Such horses can also be kept individually.

Usually this method is used in relation to sports horses, young animals or breeding males.

In the case of mares, the following can be individually kept:

• young animals;
• single horses;
• suckling mares.

With any method of keeping Arabian horses, they should be provided with the necessary care.

Nutrition

Considering that the homeland of Arabian horses is characterized by a hot and arid climate and sparse vegetation, they are very unpretentious and not selective in their choice of food.

In ancient times, breeders of Arabian horses used pasture as the main source of food, which was not always of good quality.

They were also given hay and cereals, as well as camel milk. It often served as a source of liquid and replaced drinking.

Interesting fact: Arabian horses are the only horses in the world whose bodies metabolize fats of animal origin.

The food supply of modern horses is many times richer and more varied.

The basis of the diet is high-quality hay and grass. The diet also includes grains, vegetables, and vitamin supplements.

Horses that are used as labor must include at least 6.5 kg of oats daily in their diet, as well as fresh vegetables and quail eggs.

The Arabian horse's daily menu is as follows:

• 4.5-5.5 kilograms of selected, high-quality oats;
• 5-0.7 kilograms of high-quality, selected straw;
• 4-5 kilograms of alfalfa hay;
• approximately 1.5 kilograms of bran;
• up to a kilogram of boiled flax seed;
• vegetables fruits.

The animals are in excellent health. To preserve and maintain it, it is recommended to include vitamin and mineral supplements in your diet daily.

It is recommended to distribute the daily diet so that the main amount of food is consumed in the evening. It is better to take animals out to water early in the morning.

Drink

Arabian horses must receive the required daily fluid intake per day. Water is given to animals up to 5 times a day before meals.

The average amount of water per day is 50 liters, in winter it is reduced to 30. The water must be clean, the normal temperature is 10-15 degrees.

After training, fluids should not be given to the horse for half an hour.

Stable

A lot of effort needs to be put into arranging the stables, since the horse spends most of his time here.

The room in which the horses will be kept must be large and spacious, with normal air humidity. The stable should also be very clean and warm.

Stages of construction and arrangement of premises for horses.

• Choosing a location . It is best to build a stable on an elevated area. There should be no highway or various bodies of water nearby. It is also not recommended to build a stable near a populated area, as animals love silence. The absence of ponds will help keep the room dry during the rainy season.
• Foundation . For the foundation of the room you need to use reliable material. It is necessary to provide it with normal moisture insulation, for example, using roofing felt.
• Building materials . The material for the construction of the stable must have heat-resistant and waterproof properties.
• Floor . The covering in the room should be warm and strong. The stall usually uses an adobe floor. It is recommended to lay a wooden covering in the passage. Sometimes they resort to using concrete.
• Heat-resistant bedding . To keep the floor in the stable warm, a large layer of straw or sawdust is placed on it.
• Roof . The structure must be solid and highly durable. Ordinary slate is perfect. Metallic coating is also often used. The ceiling height must be at least 3 meters. For insulation, the roof is filled with straw and sand. The ceiling should consist strictly of solid wood material.
• Ventilation . Typically, such rooms have a supply and exhaust ventilation system.
• Lighting . It is advisable to place windows at a level of two meters from the floor. This is done so that the scorching sun does not blind the animals. Sometimes they resort to installing artificial lighting.
• Feeders . The depth of the container must be at least 30 centimeters; it is usually located at a level of one meter from the floor.
• Corral . Not far from the stables you need to make a corral for horses. One animal needs 20 square meters.

It is imperative to equip a room for storing animal feed. We should not forget that it is necessary to keep the horses clean, so it is necessary to create a room for washing them. It is also necessary to equip a staff room and a warehouse for equipment.

Grazing

Arabian horses need frequent walking. Typically, they should be taken for a walk at least twice a day. To do this you need to find suitable pasture.

They are also often walked in paddocks. During the cold season, the duration of animal walks is reduced.

This is because Arabian horses do not like low temperatures. During the cold season, the time allocated for training animals is also reduced.

Cleaning

Horses must be cleaned regularly. You need to wash the animal very carefully, otherwise you can harm it.

Use the necessary equipment for this procedure:

• scraper;
• brush;
• comb;
• crest;
• velvet cloth;
• hoof hook;
• several sponges;
• vacuum cleaner.

Horseshoes

Horseshoes protect the horse’s hooves from all kinds of damage and also look aesthetically pleasing.

Types of horse shoeing.

• Universal . Suitable for all representatives of the breed.
• Special . Used for horses participating in racing.
• Orthopedic . This type of shoeing is used in case of an animal injury.
• Studded . Excellent for traveling on ice, so it is installed in winter.

History of the breed

It is impossible to lead a sedentary life in the desert. Only nomadism is possible there. But due to the scarcity of resources, all nomadic peoples rely on robbery to a greater or lesser extent. The Arabian thoroughbred horse breed originated as the war horse of the Bedouin warrior, capable of long runs with heavy loads and in extreme conditions.

It is believed that the process of formation of the breed took place from the 4th to the 7th centuries AD. In fact, the breed was formed earlier than the 7th century. It was the Europeans who became acquainted with these horses when the power of the Arab Caliphate was established on the Iberian Peninsula.

Arabian horses were very valuable and it was extremely difficult to get them even in later times. Arab tribes traced the ancestry of their horses along maternal lines, believing that all their horses descended from the five mares of the Prophet Muhammad.

Interesting! Modern research has shown that folk observation sometimes works as well as science.

The Bedouins were convinced that a good mare would produce a good foal from a stallion of any quality, while a bad mare could not be expected to produce a high-quality foal, even from the best stallion. Hence the pedigree of their horses, traced only through their mothers.

Since the main qualities valued in a horse by the Arabian nomadic tribes were endurance and speed, the knowledge obtained empirically was confirmed. Indeed, mares with high performance produce the same foals. Mares with low performance have foals that are even worse than their mothers.

Accordingly, mares were highly valued in Arabia, while stallions were kept only in the stables of very rich people. They kept the stallions “in a black body”, giving them exactly as much food as was needed so that the horse did not die from hunger.

Europeans who became acquainted with the Arabian breed in the Early Middle Ages highly appreciated the quality of the horse stock of their then enemies. Trophy Arabian horses began to be used to improve local European breeds. Almost all modern European horses have the blood of Arabian horses.

After the decline of the Caliphate and the weakening of the Ottoman Empire, expeditions began to be sent to the East to search for and purchase Arabian horses. But it was impossible to buy mares. They could only get to Europe as a trophy or a gift to a royal person.

Even with the purchase of stallions, the Europeans had serious difficulties. Taking advantage of the ignorance of the “savages,” the Arabs sold culling horses under the guise of high-quality horses. Most often, the graceful, beautiful, but least hardy horses of the Siglawi tribe came to Europe. It was they who formed the image of the Arabian thoroughbred horse with a concave profile, familiar to Europeans. The Arabs themselves preferred horses with a straight profile, since in this case the air channel does not block anything.

Comment! A horse can only breathe through its nose.

Today people travel through the deserts in jeeps, not on horses. Tourists prefer the usual type of siglavi.

Russian Arabs

The passion for Arabian horses, as horses that improve local breeds, did not bypass the Russian Empire. The first horses of this breed appeared in the stables of Ivan the Terrible. There is an opinion that they influenced even such seemingly completely indigenous breeds as the Karachay, Karabakh and Kabardian. But what should Arabian desert horses do in the mountains?

Arabian horses became the ancestors of the Oryol trotting, Oryol riding, Rostopchin and Streletsky breeds. They were bred clean. During Soviet times, Arabian sires were purchased from various populations. And sometimes high-quality stallions were given to heads of state. One of these donated stallions was the famous Aswan. The gift was made by Egyptian President Nasser.

The USSR traded Arabian horses with the whole world. Pesnyar was sold for $1 million. Menes was purchased for more than 1.5 million dollars. Peleng was purchased for 2 million 350 thousand dollars. All these horses were sold in the USA. And the Arabian horse Peach was sold to France - a horse, even a photo of which can only be found somewhere in a private collection. At the same time, Persik is considered the best producer of racing horses. His descendant is the famous Nobby, a multiple winner of races over a distance of 160 km.

Interesting! Absolutely all of Nobby’s ancestors in 2-3 generations were born in the Terek stud farm. Nobby's grandfather is the famous Menes.

Famous horses

Igor Nikolaev

auto RU

Famous people have always owned Arabian horses. Having such a horse has always been considered very prestigious, even more than having any rare jewelry or unique car.

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For example, an Arabian stallion named Kazbek was the favorite of the famous Soviet Marshal G.K. Zhukova. It was on this horse that he took part in the 1945 Victory Parade on the capital's Red Square.

No less famous is the Arabian horse named Marengo. And it was owned by none other than Napoleon Bonaparte himself, who fought more than one battle with him. With a relatively short stature (only 145 centimeters), Marengo was distinguished by incredible courage, was not at all afraid of the roar of guns and unquestioningly obeyed his eminent rider. This glorious horse was wounded eight times in battle, but this did not affect his courage and strength.

ARAB THOROUGH BLOODED HORSE

Today, dear friends, we invite you to meet a unique purebred Arabian horse ! We will tell you about the history of its origin, describe its characteristics and features, and you will also learn how such a horse was used on the farm.

Description of the horse

The main features of the Arabian horse are not only grace and beauty, but also a square head in the forehead, a rounded body, a curved neck, a straight and long croup, thin and mobile ears. The horse's limbs are long and rather thin, however, thinness does not prevent them from being strong. The forearms are muscular, the hooves are rounded, the eyes are bulging, the back is medium, the chest is wide, the tail is like a rooster (raises when moving quickly). In general, the size of the horse is average with a height at the withers of about 153 cm with a chest circumference of 173-178 cm! The color is most often gray, but there are red and bay shades, black and brown are less common, but perhaps the rarest color is silver-bay.

You can find 4 exteriors of the Arabian horse :

1. Koheilan-sigwali (features of high growth and performance)

2. Sigwali (short height, gray color, horse is excellent for racing)

3. Hadban (the largest animal in the breed, one of the best sports pets)

4. Koheilan (hardy and massive type)

History of the Arabian Horse

Although the Arabian horse has been improved over the centuries, its origins are not fully understood. One thing is certain - these horses were on the territory of the Arabian Peninsula 5 thousand years ago! They lived near a nomadic tribe, adapting to desert conditions. Scientists claim that the Arabian horse appeared thanks to the intervention of Turkish, Syrian, Persian and Berber breeds. The Arabs made their contribution to horse breeding back in the 7th-8th centuries, starting their spread from Spain and Africa (it was the Arabs who bred purebred horses). But selection is still underway! It is known that the horse acquired its final form already in the 7th century in the Bedouin tribe, where they were used as soldiers. By the way, in Europe, thanks to Arabian horses , local horses, such as draft horses, draft horses, and riding horses, improved. Well, these horses came to Russia during the reign of Ivan IV (we bred the legendary Terek and Streltsy breeds of horses. In the West, the Anglo-Arab breed was bred by crossing Arabian and riding horse breeds.

Basic character traits

These animals are famous for their developed intelligence, as well as their strong and proud character. They are well trained, but at the same time they are very touchy and vindictive.

Arabs never forgive their offenders. Purebred Arabian horses are completely unsuitable for training novice riders. They obey only strong and confident riders with a firm and experienced hand. They are friendly towards humans and are distinguished by strong devotion, but their hot temperament requires great patience and prudence in their behavior from their owners.

Arabian horses are distinguished by great attentiveness to their surroundings and are able to independently determine their further actions.

Trying to force them to do something against their will, especially using brute force, is useless. However, despite their stubborn disposition, they try very hard to please a strong and kind owner if he inspires their trust and affection.