Somewhere in the inhospitable deserts of the Middle East, centuries ago, a breed of horse came into being that would influence the equine world beyond all imagination.  In the sweet grass oasis along the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers in the countries that are now known as Syria, Iraq, and Iran, and in other parts of the Arabia peninsula, this hearty horse developed and would soon be known as the Arabian horse.

To the Islamic people, the Arabian horse was considered a gift from Allah, to be revered, cherished and almost worshipped.  Long before Europeans become aware of his existence, the horse of the desert had established himself as a necessity for survival of the Bedouin people. 

The very nature of the breed, its shape as well as its color, was influenced by religious belief, superstition and tradition.  It was believed that the bulging forehead held the blessings of Allah.  Therefore the greater the "Jibbah" the greater the blessings carried by the horse.  The great arching neck with a high crest, the "Mitbah" was a sign of courage, while a gaily carried tail showed pride.  These traits were held in high esteem and selectively bred for.

Traditions of breeding and purity were created to keep the breed "Asil" or pure, in the form intended by Allah.  Any mixture of foreign blood from the mountains or the cities surrounding the desert was strictly forbidden.  While other, desert type breeds developed in North Africa and the periphery of the Great Desert, they were definitely not of the same blood as Arabians and were disdained by the proud Bedouin.

The Arabian horse was primarily an instrument of war, as were horses in general in most societies at the time.  Mares were the best mounts for raiding parties, as they would not nicker to the enemy tribe's horses, warning of their approach.  The best war mares exhibited great courage in battle, taking the charges and the spear thrusts without giving ground.  Speed and endurance were essential as well, for the raids were often carried out far from the home camp, family and children.

The value placed upon the mare led inevitably to the tracing of any family of the Arabian horse through his dam.  The only requirement of the sire was that he be "Asil".  If his dam was a "celebrated" mare of a great mare family, so much the better.  Mare families, or strains, were named, often according to the tribe or sheik who owned and bred them.

While the Bedoiun bred their horses in great obscurity, the highly war like people of the East rode their Barbs and Turks into Europe, bringing havoc with them and leaving waste in their wake.   Though few Arabian horses accompanied the Turks and Vandals on their forays into Europe, their hardy Barb and Turkish mountain horses were no less impressive to their victims.

As the world slowly shrank due to increasing travel abroad, the Turkish rulers of the Ottoman Empire began to send gifts of Arabian horses to European heads of state.  Such was the nature of The Godolphin Arabian (sometimes called "Barb") imported to England in 1730 as well as The Byerley Turk (1683) and The Darley Arabian (1703).  These three "Eastern" stallions formed the foundation upon which a new breed, the Thoroughbred, was to be built.  Today 93% of all modern Thoroughbreds can be traced to these three Arabian sires.  By direct infusion, and through the blood of the Thoroughbred, the Arabian has contributed, to some degree to all our light breeds of horses.

The Arabian horse also made inroads into other parts of Europe and even farther east. In France, the Arabian helped to make the famous Percheron.  In Russia, the blood of the Arabian horse contributed to the development of the Orloff Trotter.

The Bedouins have generally been credited with the beginning of selective pure breeding of Arabian horses.  These tribes, kept their breeding records by memory and passed down through the ages verbally, are also credited as the first to keep breeding records and maintaining the purity of the Arabian breed.  To this date, many Arabian pedigrees can be traced to desert breeding meaning there is no written record but because of the importance of purity to the Bedouins, "desert bred" is accepted as an authentic verification of pure blood for those early imports.

Today the Arabian horse exists in far greater numbers outside of its land of origin than it ever did in the Great Desert.  In the early part of the last century; greed, ambition, desire for prestige, as well as an honest interest in saving the breed from extinction was the driving force behind governments, royal families and adventuring private citizens alike in the acquisition and propagation of this great prize of the Bedouin people--the Arabian horse.

Historical figures like Genghis Khan, Napoleon, Alexander The Great and George Washington rode Arabians.  Even today, one finds descendants from the earliest Arabian horses of antiquity.  Then, a man's wealth was measured in his holdings of these fine animals.  Given that the Arabian was the original source of quality and speed, and remains foremost in the fields of endurance and soundness, he still either directly or indirectly contributed to the formation of virtually all the modern breeds of horses.

The prophet Mohammed, in the seventh century AD, was instrumental in spreading the Arabian's influence around the world.   He instructed his followers to look after Arabians and treat them with kindness.  He instructed that special attentions should be paid to the mares because they insure the continuity of the breed.  He also proclaimed that Allah had created the Arabian, and that those who treated the horse well would be rewarded in the afterlife.

The severe climate required the nomads to share food and water, and sometimes even their tents with their horses.  As a result, Arabians developed a close affinity to man and a higher intelligence.

Even today the purebred Arabian is virtually the same as that ridden in ancient Arabia.  Arabians now display their athletic talents in a variety of disciplines from English to Western, with the Arabian positioned as the undisputed champion of endurance events.

Arabian Horse Association

Arabian Strains

Over the centuries, the Bedouin tribes zealously maintained the purity of the breed. Because of their limited resources, breeding practices were extremely selective.  Such practices, which eventually helped the Arabian become a prized possession throughout the world, have led to the beautiful athletic breed we know today, which is marked by a distinctive dished profile; large, lustrous, wide-set eyes on a broad forehead; small, curved ears; and large, efficient nostrils.

The Kehilan strain was noted for depth of chest, masculine power and size.  The average pure in strain Kehilan stood up to 15 hands.  Their heads were short with broad foreheads and great width in the jowls. Most common colors were gray and chestnut.

The Seglawi was known for refinement and almost feminine elegance.  This strain was more likely to be fast rather than have great endurance.  Seglawi horses have fine bone, longer faces and necks than the Kehilan.  The average height for a Seglawi would be 14.2 hands, the most common color Bay.

The Abeyan strain is very similar to the Seglawi.  They tended to be refined.  The pure in strain Abeyan would often have a longer back than a typical Arabian.  They were small horses, seldom above 14.2 hands, commonly gray and carried more white markings than other strains.

Hamdani horses were often considered plain, with an athletic if somewhat masculine, large boned build.  Their heads were more often straight in profile, lacking an extreme Jibbah.  The Hamdani strain was one of the largest, standing as much as 15.2 hands.  The common colors were gray and bay.

The Hadban strain was a smaller version of the Hamdani.  Sharing several traits including big bone and muscular build.  They were also known for possessing an extremely gentle nature.  The average height of a Hadban was 14.3 hands, the primary color brown or bay with few if any white markings.

The Versatile Arabian

Historically, the Arabian was a war horse capable of withstanding the extreme conditions of the Arabian desert and covering long distances, while moving quickly in and out of battle. He was also a close companion of the desert Bedouins evolving a pleasant personality and an affinity for humans.

As the oldest of all the light breeds and foundation stock of most, the Arabian horse is unique. The Arabian breed is different in that it does not exist as a result of selective breeding, as were other modern light breeds, but was a breed that had been recognized for thousands of years and had been maintained and cherished in its purity over those years as much as is humanly possible.

The traits that were bred into the Arabian through ancient times created a horse that is not only a beautiful breed, but one that excels at many activities.  The high intelligence, trainability, gentle disposition and stamina of the Arabian horse enables it to excel at a wide variety of activities popular today. 

Considered the best breed for distances, the Arabian's superior endurance and stamina enable him to consistently win competitive trail and endurance rides.   As an endurance horse, the Arabian has no equal. The top prizes at endurance events almost always go to riders of Arabians.

The Arabian, as the original racehorse, is becoming more and more popular competing at racetracks throughout the country.  Arabians race distances similar to Thoroughbreds, with more than 700 all-Arabian races held throughout the U.S. annually.

Arabians are excellent on the trail and track as well as in the show ring.  The Arabian is well known for his balance and agility making him very versitile in many areas.  Show classes in English and western pleasure competition, cutting and reining, even jumping and dressage provide opportunities for fun and enjoyment at both all-Arabian events and open breed shows alike.  Combined with his high intelligence and skillful footwork, he is more than capable in driving and reining events.  For speed, agility, and gracefulness, you'll want an Arabian horse as your mount.

In addition, the Arabians' Bedouin heritage is evident in their unequaled ability to bond with humans, making them the perfect horse for enthusiasts of all ages.  His affectionate personality, loyal, willing nature makes him a great horse for children and the perfect family horse.

The most popular activity with all horse owners is recreational riding and the Arabian horse is no exception.  Although the most beautiful of all riding breeds, the Arabian is not just a pretty horse. He is an all-around family horse, show horse, competitive sport horse, and work horse.

And Allah took a handful of southerly wind, blew His breath over it, and created the horse.... Thou shall fly without wings, and conquer without any sword.  Oh, horse.  ~ Bedouin Legend