One of the world’s oldest and most prominent horse breeds is the Arabian.
Equestrian aficionados have been enthralled with Arabian horses for decades due to their unique head form, exquisite movement, and high-tail carriage.
There are several varieties or strains of Arabian horses, even though they all have certain common characteristics.
In this article, we will take a glimpse of the main varieties of Arabian horses, their distinctive qualities, and their historical significance.
What exactly is an Arabian Horse?
One of the most ancient and well-known horse breeds worldwide is the Arabian.
Originating from the Arabian Peninsula, these horses are renowned for their distinctive appearance, intelligence, and endurance.
Arabian horses typically feature a concave or “dished” facial profile, large expressive eyes, small curved ears, and a high tail carriage.
They have a compact body with a short back, sloping shoulders, and high-set neck, contributing to their elegant and proud stance.
Arabians are usually smaller than many other horse breeds, standing between 14.1 to 15.1 hands high.
Known for their stamina, Arabians excel in endurance riding and have significantly influenced many other horse breeds worldwide.
Their coat colors are commonly bay, chestnut, gray, or black, often with white markings. Arabians are prized for their close affinity with humans, displaying both spirit and gentleness.
Their intelligence makes them quick learners, though it can also make them sensitive and high-strung.
Throughout history, Arabian horses have played crucial roles in warfare, trade, and cultural traditions, and today they continue to be popular in various equestrian disciplines, from show rings to trail riding.
Types of Arabian Horses
1. Desert-Bred Arabians
The original Arabian horses were bred by the Bedouin tribes of the Arabian Peninsula.
These horses, known as asil or “pure” Arabians, were meticulously bred in the harsh desert environment for centuries.
Desert-bred Arabians are considered the foundation stock of the breed and are highly prized for their authenticity and genetic purity.
Characteristics:
- Exceptional hardiness and endurance
- Compact, muscular build
- Strong bones and hooves
- Typically smaller in stature compared to modern show Arabians
- Sharp intelligence and keen awareness
Historical Significance:
Desert-bred Arabians were essential to the Bedouin way of life, serving as war horses, transportation, and valuable assets.
The harsh desert conditions shaped these horses into tough, resilient animals capable of surviving on minimal food and water.
Their loyalty and close bond with humans stem from their intimate integration into Bedouin culture.
2. Egyptian Arabians
Egyptian Arabians are descendants of horses bred by the royal studs of Egypt, particularly those of Abbas Pasha I and Ali Pasha Sherif in the 19th century.
These horses are renowned for their exotic beauty and are often considered the epitome of the Arabian type.
Characteristics:
- Extremely refined features
- Large, dark eyes
- Finely chiseled head with a dished profile
- Long, arched neck
- Typically gray or bay in color
- Graceful, floating movement
Historical Significance:
Egyptian Arabians gained international recognition in the early 20th century when prominent breeders and collectors began importing them to Europe and America.
The Nazeer sire line, tracing back to the stallion Nazeer born in 1934 at the Egyptian Agricultural Organization (EAO), has been particularly influential in shaping modern Egyptian Arabian bloodlines.
3. Polish Arabians
Polish Arabians have a distinct lineage tracing back to the state studs of Poland, particularly Janow Podlaski, Michalow, and Bialka.
These horses are known for their athletic ability and success in both showing and performance disciplines.
Characteristics:
- More substantial build compared to some other Arabian types
- Strong, correct conformation
- Excellent movement with powerful, elevated gaits
- Often gray or bay in color
- Calm, trainable temperament
Historical Significance:
Polish breeding programs have produced many influential Arabian sires and dams. The program’s focus on performance as well as type has resulted in versatile horses that excel in various disciplines.
Polish Arabians have achieved great success in international competitions and have contributed significantly to breeding programs worldwide.
4. Russian Arabians
Russian Arabians, primarily developed at the Tersk Stud in the Northern Caucasus region, are known for their athletic ability and unique bloodlines.
The Russian breeding program incorporated Crabbet, Polish, and Egyptian bloodlines to create a distinctive type.
Characteristics:
- Athletic build with strong bone and substance
- Excellent movement and endurance
- Often larger than the average Arabian size
- Predominantly gray
- Calm and trainable temperament
Historical Significance:
The Russian Arabian breeding program, established in the early 20th century, focused on creating versatile horses suitable for both racing and riding.
The Tersk Stud produced many influential sires, including the famous stallion Aswan, whose descendants have had a significant impact on Arabian breeding worldwide.
5. Spanish Arabians
Spanish Arabians, also known as PRE Arabians (Pura Raza Espanola Arabe), is the result of crossing purebred Arabians with Spanish horses, primarily the Andalusian.
These horses combine the refinement of the Arabian with the strength and presence of Spanish breeds.
Characteristics:
- More substantial build than typical Arabians
- Powerful, elevated movement
- Often gray or bay in color
- Proud carriage and presence
- Gentle, willing temperament
Historical Significance:
Spanish Arabians have played a crucial role in the development of many modern horse breeds, including the Lipizzaner and various warmblood breeds.
Their unique combination of Arabian refinement and Spanish power has made them popular for dressage and high school riding.
6. Crabbet Arabians
Crabbet Arabians trace their lineage to the Crabbet Arabian Stud in England, founded by Lady Anne Blunt and Wilfrid Scawen Blunt in 1878.
These horses are known for their athleticism, sound conformation, and gentle temperament.
Characteristics:
- Athletic build with good bone and substance
- Excellent movement and endurance
- Often bay, chestnut, or gray
- Versatile and trainable
- Generally larger than some other Arabian types
Historical Significance:
The Crabbet Arabian Stud had a profound influence on Arabian breeding worldwide.
Many of the foundation horses for other national breeding programs, including those in Australia, Spain, and Poland, came from Crabbet bloodlines.
Crabbet Arabians are still highly valued for their athletic ability and pleasant temperament.
7. American Arabians / Domestic Arabian
American-bred Arabians encompass a wide range of bloodlines and types, as breeders in the United States have incorporated horses from various sources to create their ideal Arabian.
This has resulted in a diverse population of Arabians in America, from extreme show types to more substantial performance horses.
Characteristics:
- Vary widely depending on breeding goals
- Can range from ultra-refined show horses to more substantial performance types
- Often a blend of different Arabian bloodlines
- Successful in a variety of disciplines, from halter classes to endurance riding
Historical Significance:
American Arabian breeding programs have produced many successful show horses and performance athletes.
The diversity within American-bred Arabians has contributed to the breed’s popularity and versatility in North America and beyond.
8. Shagya Arabians
While not purebred Arabians, Shagya Arabians are a separate breed developed in the Austro-Hungarian Empire by crossing Arabian stallions with local mares.
They are included here due to their close relation to purebred Arabians and their influence on Arabian breeding.
Characteristics:
- More substantial than purebred Arabians
- Strong, athletic build
- Excellent endurance and stamina
- Often gray or bay in color
- Calm, trainable temperament
Historical Significance:
Shagya Arabians were developed to create a larger, more robust cavalry horse that retained the endurance and refinement of the Arabian.
They have been influential in improving other breeds and are valued for their versatility in various equestrian disciplines.
How Fast are Arabian Horses?
Arabian horses are recognized for their exceptional quickness, stamina, and agility. They may not be the quickest species in short distances, but their endurance and speed combination is impressive.
Arabian horses can run as fast as 35 to 40 miles per hour (56 to 64 km/h) in short bursts.
This puts them among the faster horse breeds, though not quite as fast as thoroughbreds, which can reach speeds up to 44 mph (70 km/h) in short bursts.
Where Arabian horses truly excel is in sustained speed over longer distances. Their incredible endurance allows them to maintain a fast pace for extended periods.
In endurance races, Arabians can sustain speeds of 10-12 mph (16-19 km/h) over distances of 100 miles (160 km) or more. This combination of speed and stamina makes Arabians particularly suited for endurance riding competitions.
They dominate events like the Tevis Cup, a grueling 100-mile endurance race.
The Arabian’s speed is complemented by their agility and sure-footedness, allowing them to navigate varied terrain efficiently.
Their lightweight build, strong bone structure, and efficient metabolism contribute to their speed and endurance capabilities.
It’s worth noting that individual horses can vary in speed based on factors such as training, genetics, and condition.
However, as a breed, Arabians consistently demonstrate impressive speed, especially over long distances.
Conclusion
The Arabian horse breed encompasses a rich diversity of types, each with its own unique characteristics and historical significance.
From the hardy desert-bred Arabians to the refined Egyptian strains, and from the athletic Polish and Russian types to the versatile Crabbet and American-bred horses, the Arabian breed offers a wide range of options for enthusiasts and breeders alike.
This diversity within the breed is a testament to the Arabian’s adaptability and the different breeding goals pursued around the world.
Despite these variations, all Arabian horses share the breed’s hallmark characteristics: refined beauty, intelligence, endurance, and a close affinity with humans.
As the Arabian horse continues to evolve and adapt to modern equestrian pursuits, it remains one of the most beloved and influential breeds in the world.
Whether prized for their beauty in the show ring, athletic ability in performance, or gentle companionship as family horses, Arabians continue to captivate and inspire horse lovers worldwide.
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