Arab International University

The Arabian Horses Grace to Other Breeds

By: Khaled HAMADMAD Damascus, Syria
2011-2012

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Do the Arabian Horses have preferences over the rest of the other breeds?

Arabian Horses were an essential part of producing and breeding the most famous horses in the present day.

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Outlines:
1. Abstract 2. Introduction 3. Origin of the Arabian Horses
3.1. In Science of History 3.2. In myths and theories 3.3. Arabian Horses in Arabian Peninsula

4. Arabian Horses Characteristics 5. Arabian Horses lineage 6. Influence on other horse breeds 7. Arabian Horses spreading out
7.1. Spread to Europe 7.2. Spread to North America

8. Thoroughbred 9. The Arabian Horses today 10. Famous Arabian Horses

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1. Abstract
And God took a handful of South wind and from it formed a horse, saying: "I create thee, Oh Arabian. To thy forelock, I bind Victory in battle. On thy back, I set a rich spoil And a Treasure in thy loins. I establish thee as one of the Glories of the Earth... I give thee flight without wings." From Ancient Bedouin Legend

The image of a great black Arabian stallion, floating along the beach, nose to the wind, tail flagging, caught the attention of audiences with the release of The Black Stallion. The star of this film, Cass Ole, a purebred black Arabian stallion, brought the charisma of the Arabian horse to people worldwide with his flowing mane and proud head. Arabians have existed for centuries to insure that generations to come can enjoy a glimpse of great horses like Cass Ole. The oldest breed of horse, Arabians is the only true purebred in the equine world. They have played a significant role in the history of man and horse, and will continue to provide enjoyment and companionship for years to come through the work of national and global organizations dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the breed.

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2. Introduction
From the ancient deserts of the Middle East evolved the oldest known breed of riding horse, the Arabian. Now one of the most popular breeds in America, the Arabians' incredible energy, intelligence and gentle disposition allow riders to excel in most equine sports and activities. Today, Arabian horses spend as much time on the trail as they do at horse shows and other competitive events. For thousands of years, Arabians lived among the desert tribes of the Arabian Peninsula, bred by the Bedouins as war mounts for long treks and quick forays into enemy camps. In these harsh desert conditions evolved the Arabian with its large lung capacity and incredible endurance. 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 high intelligence. 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.

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3. Origin Of The Arabian Horses
3.1. In Science Of History
The origin of the Arabian horse remains a great zoological mystery. Although this unique breed has had a distinctive national identity for centuries, its history nevertheless is full of subtleties, complexities and contradictions. It defies simple interpretation. When we first encounter the Arabian, or the prototype of what is known today as the Arabian, he is somewhat smaller than his counterpart today. Otherwise he has essentially remained unchanged throughout the centuries. Authorities are at odds about where the Arabian horse originated. The subject is hazardous, for archaeologists' spades and shifting sands of time is constantly unsettling previously established thinking. There are certain arguments for the ancestral Arabian having been a wild horse in northern Syria, southern Turkey and possibly the piedmont regions to the east as well. The area along the northern edge of the Fertile Crescent comprising part of Iraq and running along the Euphrates and west across Sinai and along the coast to Egypt, offered a mild climate and enough rain to provide an ideal environment for horses. Other historians suggest this unique breed originated in the southwestern part of Arabia, offering supporting evidence that the three great river beds in this area provided natural wild pastures and were the centers in which Arabian horses appeared as undomesticated creatures to the early inhabitants of southwestern Arabia. There can be little dispute, however, that the Arabian horse has proved to be, throughout recorded history, an original breed-which remains to this very day. Neither sacred nor profane history tells us the country where the horse was first domesticated, or whether he was first used for work or riding. He probably was used for both purposes in very early times and in various parts of the world. We know that by 1500 B.C. the people of the east had obtained great mastery over their hot-blooded horses which were the forerunners of the breed which eventually became known as "Arabian."

3.1. In Myths And Theories
There are many myths and theories concerning the origins of the Arabian horse. The

traditional legends, including the Bedouin legend above, have surrounded the Arabian's roots in mystery. Another story is that "In the beginning, God gave Ishmael, son of Abraham, a gift, made of mist and dust, as a reward for Ishmael's faith and dedication to the God of his father.

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Out of the mist and dust came the first Asil Arabian mare, who was at the time in foal, and produced a son. From these two gifts from God came the beginning of the Asil (pure) Arabian horse (Whitman Legend and Reality of Blue Star Arabians)." In most cases, the Arabian was considered a gift from god, and treated as such by the Bedouin society.

3.3 Arabian Horses In Arabian Peninsula
It is unknown whether the Arabian was first needed for work or riding, but by 1500 B.C. the people of the East had domesticated the Arabian horse (Origins of the Arabian Horse). The Arabian had become a necessity for the Bedouin people to ensure their survival (History and Heritage of the Arabian Horse). The horses were of great importance to the tribes, and the head men of the tribes could relate the verbal histories of each family of horse in his tribe as well as he could each family of Bedouin (History and Heritage of the Arabian Horse). Like most horses, the Arabian horse was primarily used in. A well mounted Bedouin could attack an enemy tribe and capture their herds of sheep, camels and goats, adding to the wealth of their own tribe (History and Heritage of the Arabian Horse). This desert warfare, "Ghazu," depended on the stamina, agility, and speed of the Arabian horse (The Arabian Horse Today). In many breeds of horses, stallions are held at higher importance than mares, yet the Bedouins considered their mares to be the prized possessions in their herd. 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 (History and Heritage of the Arabian Horse). The Bedouin would also race their horses, the winner receiving the best horses in the losers' herd (History and Heritage of the Arabian Horse). It was considered a great honor to receive a mare as a gift, and legends were often told of mares stolen or bought at great price. For many years the greatest prize at the southern end of this trail was the exotic and beautiful 'white horse of the desert,' the purebred Arabian horse (Byford, B. Origination of the Arabian Breed).

4. Arabian Horses Characteristics
There are several characteristics that set the Arabian horse apart from other breeds, the most noticeable being their face. "The Arabian's head has a characteristic dished profile with a prominent eye, large nostrils and small teacup muzzle. There was religious significance in the Arabian's features; the large forehead was said to hold the blessings of Allah. High tail carriage was symbolic of pride. The arched neck and high crest signified courage. The Arabian's broad chest, short, but strong back, and sloped shoulder give him power and floaty gaits (Ardomatli, K. Al-kail al-erab).
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Arabian horses come in many colors, grey, chestnut, bay, roan, brown, and occasionally black. (Ardomatli, K. Al-kail al-erab) Most Arabians stand between 14.1 and 15.2 hands (one hand is equivalent to four inches) and weigh between 800 and 1,000 pounds as (Ardomatli, K. Al-kail al-erab). Arabian horses are well known for being affectionate and bonding well with humans. People enjoy many activities with their Arabians, from showing to pleasure riding. Arabians can be shown at local, regional, and national levels in a variety of disciplines. Classes include English, park, country, hunter, and western pleasure, sidesaddle, jumping, dressage, gaming events, and halter. Arabians have also become the breed of choice in the endurance world because of their stamina and agility. One of the most popular events in Arabian shows is native costume; in this class horse and rider wear Americanized versions of Bedouin garb, complete with tassels and embroidery, and perform at walk, canter, and hand gallop. Arabians also compete in racing, cattle and ranch work, and pleasure trail riding. Due to their friendly nature and willingness to work, Arabians are a popular choice for instructional programs and therapeutic riding. Arabians become devoted companions, a testament to their long history of importance in the people's lives they share. (Ardomatli, K. Al-kail al-erab)

5. Influence On Other Horse Breeds
Because of the genetic strength of the desert-bred Arabian horse, Arabian bloodlines have played a part in the development of nearly every modern light horse breed, including the Thoroughbred, Orlov Trotter, Morgan, American Saddlebred, American Quarter Horse, and Warmblood breeds such as the Trakehner. Arabian bloodlines have also influenced the development of the Welsh Pony, the Australian Stock Horse, Percheron draft horse, Appaloosa, and the Colorado Ranger Horse. Today, people cross Arabians with other breeds to add refinement, endurance, agility and beauty. In the USA, Half-Arabians have their own registry within the Arabian Horse Association, which includes a special section for Anglo-Arabians (ArabianThoroughbred crosses). Some crosses originally registered only as Half-Arabians became popular enough to have their own breed registry, including the National Show Horse (an Arabian-Saddlebred cross), the Quarab (Arabian-Quarter Horse), the Pintabian the Welara (Arabian-Welsh Pony), and the Morab (Arabian-Morgan). In addition, some Arabians and Half Arabians have been approved for breeding by some Warmblood registries, particularly the Trakehner registry.

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There is intense debate over the role the Arabian played in the development of other light horse breeds. Before DNA-based research developed, one hypothesis, based on body types and conformation, suggested the light, "dry", oriental horse adapted to the desert climate had developed prior to domestication; DNA studies of multiple horse breeds now suggest that while domesticated horses arose from multiple mare lines, there is very little variability in the Y-chromosome between breeds. Following domestication of the horse, due to the location of the Middle East as a crossroads of the ancient world, and relatively near the earliest locations of domestication, oriental horses spread throughout Europe and Asia both in ancient and modern times. There is little doubt that humans crossed "oriental" blood on that of other types to create light riding horses; the only actual questions are at what point the "oriental" prototype could be called an "Arabian", how much Arabian blood was mixed with local animals, and at what point in history. For some breeds, such as the Thoroughbred, Arabian influence of specific animals is documented in written stud books. For older breeds, dating the influx of Arabian ancestry is more difficult. For example, while outside cultures, and the horses they brought with them, influenced the predecessor to the Iberian horse in both the time of Ancient Rome and again with the Islamic invasions of the 8th century, it is difficult to trace precise details of the journeys taken by waves of conquerors and their horses as they traveled from the Middle East to North Africa and across Gibraltar to southern Europe. Mitochondrial DNA studies of modern Andalusian horses of the Iberian peninsula and Barb horses of North Africa present convincing evidence that both breeds crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and influenced one another. Though these studies did not compare Andalusian and Barb mtDNA to that of Arabian horses, there is evidence that horses resembling Arabians, whether before or after the breed was called an "Arabian", were part of this genetic mix. Arabians and Barbs, though probably related to one another, are quite different in appearance, and horses of both Arabian and Barb type were present in the Muslim armies that occupied Europe. There is also historical documentation that Islamic invaders raised Arabian horses in Spain prior to the Reconquista; the Spanish also documented imports of Arabian horses in 1847, 1884 and 1885 that were used to improve existing Spanish stock and revive declining equine populations.

6. Arabian Horses spreading Out
6.1. Spread To Europe
Europe had developed horses through the Dark Ages to carry a knight and his armor. Their lighter horses were from the pony breeds. They had nothing to compare with the small, fast horses upon which the invaders were mounted (History and Heritage of the Arabian Horse). The world was becoming smaller as groups traveled from kingdom to empire, bringing with them gifts and possessions.

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Among these, the Arabian horse was brought by the Turks of the Ottoman Empire to rulers of Europe as gifts (History and Heritage of the Arabian Horse). Beginning with the Christian Crusades, European horses began to be "lightened" by Arabian blood, as the crusaders returned to Europe. Invention of firearms led to a desire for lighter horses as the heavy horses were no longer necessary to carry armor (Arabian Horses Spread to Europe). It became standard to use purebred Arabians to lighten and improve European stock (Byford, B. Origination of the Arabian Breed). The Arabian did not stop at the Atlantic Ocean in its travels and influence.

6.2.

Spread To North America

In 1725, Nathan Harrison of Virginia imported the first Arabian stallion into the colonies (Introduction of Arabian Horses to North America). The next Arabian enthusiast in the United States, and the first Arabian breeder of consequence, was A. Keene Richard. Between 1853 and 1856 he imported several stallions and mares for breeding, but the Civil War interrupted his breeding program, and no horses survived (Introduction of Arabian Horses to North America). It would be several decades later before Arabians made an appearance in America, but when they came, they came to stay. In 1873, General Ulysses S. Grant was given two purebred Arabian stallions, Leopard and Linden tree, on a trip to the Middle East by Sultan, Abdul Hamid II of Turkey (AHRA Mission Statement). Leopard was then passed to Randolph Huntington, who then imported two more stallions and two mares in 1888 from England. This became the first purebred Arabian breeding program in the United States (AHRA Mission Statement). The 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, Illinois, was the turning point for Arabian popularity in America when Turkey exhibited forty-five purebred Arabians (AHRA Mission Statement). After the World's Fair, the importation of Arabian horses increased as they became a sought after mount and breeding stock among prominent Americans. One of the other great influences of Arabian horses in America came in 1906 when Homer Davenport, sponsored by Teddy Roosevelt and supported financially by Peter Bradley, imported twenty-seven Arabians into Boston (AHRA Mission Statement). These horses began the family of Davenport Arabians. Between 1898 and 1911, Spencer Borden imported twenty horses to his Interlachen Stud.

On September 2, 1908, the Arabian Horse Club of America, Inc., was founded in New York State; the club changed names many times, and eventually settled in Colorado as the Arabian Horse Registry of America (AHRA Mission Statement). In 1909, the Department of Agriculture recognized the Registry's Stud Book as the official Registry for purebred Arabian horses. At that time there were seventy-one horses registered and eleven owners (AHRA Mission Statement). The AHRA is the oldest North American club for Arabian owners, and it has become the record keeping organization for both New Mexico and United States purebred Arabian horses (AHRA Mission Statement). Thus, on March 31, 1950, the International Arabian Horse Association was formed to promote and coordinate Arabian horse activities and oversee registries for Arabian crosses (AHRA Mission Statement). A third major organization arrived on the global
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Arabian scene in the 1970's: the World Arabian Horse Organization. WAHO was formed to provide an international voice for both the registries and the activity clubs from all countries (AHRA Mission Statement).

7. Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are considered "hotblooded" horses, known for their agility, speed and spirit. (Wikipedia. Thoroughbred) The Thoroughbred as it is known today was developed in 17th and 18th-century England, when native mares were crossbred with imported Oriental stallions of Arabian, Barb, and Turkoman breeding. All modern Thoroughbreds can trace their pedigrees to three stallions originally imported into England in the 17th century and 18th century, and to a larger number of foundation mares of mostly English breeding. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Thoroughbred breed spread throughout the world; they were imported into North America starting in 1730 and into Australia, Europe, Japan and South America during the 19th century. Millions of Thoroughbreds exist today, and more than 118,000 foals are registered each year worldwide. (Wikipedia. Thoroughbred) Thoroughbreds are used mainly for racing, but are also bred for other riding disciplines such as show jumping, combined training, dressage, polo, and fox hunting. They are also commonly crossbred to create new breeds or to improve existing ones, and have been influential in the creation of the Quarter Horse, Standardbred, Anglo-Arabian, and various warmblood breeds. (Wikipedia. Thoroughbred) Thoroughbred racehorses perform with maximum exertion, which has resulted in high accident rates and health problems such as bleeding from the lungs, low fertility, abnormally small hearts and a small hoof to body mass ratio. There are several theories for the reasons behind the prevalence of accidents and health problems in the Thoroughbred breed, and research continues. (Wikipedia. Thoroughbred)

8. The Arabian Horses Today
Arabian horses today are found all over the world. They are no longer classified by Bedouin strain, but are informally classified by the nation of origin of famed horses in a given pedigree. Popular types of Arabians are labeled "Polish", "Spanish", "Crabbet", "Russian", "Egyptian", and "Domestic" (describing horses whose ancestors were imported to the United States prior to 1944, including those from programs such as Kellogg, Davenport, Maynesboro, Babson, Dickenson and Selby). In the USA, a specific mixture of Crabbet, Maynesboro and Kellogg bloodlines has acquired the copyrighted designation "CMK."
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Each set of bloodlines has its own devoted followers, with the virtues of each hotly debated. Most debates are between those who value the Arabian most for its refined beauty and those who value the horse for its stamina and athleticism; there are also a number of breeders who specialize in preservation breeding of various bloodlines. Controversies exist over the relative "purity" of certain animals; breeders argue about the genetic "purity" of various pedigrees, discussing whether some horses descend from "impure" animals that cannot be traced to the desert Bedouin. The major factions are as follows:
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The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) states, "The origin of the purebred Arabian horse was the Arabian desert, and all Arabians ultimately trace their lineage to this source." In essence, all horses accepted for registration in the United States are deemed to be "purebred" Arabians by AHA. The World Arabian Horse Association (WAHO) has the broadest definition of a purebred Arabian. WAHO states, "A Purebred Arabian horse is one which appears in any purebred Arabian Stud Book or Register listed by WAHO as acceptable." By this definition, over 95% of the known purebred Arabian horses in the world are registered in stud books acceptable to WAHO. WAHO also researched the purity question in general, and its findings are on its web site, describing both the research and the political issues surrounding Arabian horse bloodlines, particularly in America. At the other end of the spectrum, organizations focused on bloodlines that are the most meticulously documented to desert sources have the most restrictive definitions. For example, The Asil Club in Europe only accepts "a horse whose pedigree is exclusively based on Bedouin breeding of the Arabian peninsula, without any crossbreeding with non-Arabian horses at any time." Likewise, the Al Khamsa organization takes the position that "The horse...which are called "Al Khamsa Arabian Horses," are those horses in North America that can reasonably be assumed to descend entirely from bedouin Arabian horses bred by horse-breeding bedouin tribes of the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula without admixture from sources unacceptable to Al Khamsa." Most restrictive of all are horses identified as "straight Egyptian" by the Pyramid Society, which must trace in all lines to the desert and also to horses owned or bred by specific Egyptian breeding programs. By this definition, straight Egyptian Arabians constitute only 2% of all Arabian horses in America. Ironically, some pure-blooded desert-bred Arabians in Syria had enormous difficulties being accepted as registrable purebred Arabians because many of the Bedouin who owned them saw no need to obtain a piece of paper to verify the purity of their horses. However, eventually the Syrians developed a stud book for their animals that was accepted by the World Arabian Horse Association (WAHO) in 2007.

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9. Famous Arabian Horses

Statue of the founder of the horse race shagya Arab, Shagya stallion imported from Syria in 1836. Exposed stud Balbona. Véronique Mestre Gibaud (Association française du Cheval Arabe-Shagya)

Bairactar d.b. - Stammvater der Weiler Reinzucht-Araber Scan aus "Adel und Leistung" S. 12; Original: Stahlstich des Archivs Marbach

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Darley Arabian Purebred Arabian stallion and one of the foundation sires of the Thoroughbred breed

block at Wandlebury is the grave of the Godolphin Arabian, the most famous of the Arabian stallions brought to England, and the ancestor of many of today's thoroughbred racehorses. The horse died at Wandlebury in 1753 at the age of 29.

Old Hector (c. 1792-1823) was a sire of Walers, trotters and was an important sire in colonial Australian bloodhorse breeding.
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shagya-arabian stallion Jussuf IV

Sadiks Psyche Australian National Arabian Champion Stallion 2006

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Laheeb Al Rayyan (Imp Qatar) Laheeb Al Rayyan was born in Qatar and imported to Australia via Europe and UK.

Halimas Egyptian Prince

Hucklebey berry
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Ansata Hijazi

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References:
Al-Kalbi, H. (1946). Ansab al-khail. Ardromalti, K. (2000). Al-khail al-erab. Becky, S. (n.d.). The history of the Arabian horse. Byford, B. (n.d.). Origination of the Arabian Breed Byford, B. (n.d.). History and Heritage of the Arabian Horse International Arabian Horse Association. (1996). Arabian horses history & heritage. Retrieved from http://www.arabianhorses.org/education/education_history_intro.asp International Arabian Horse Association. (1996). Horses of desert bedouin. Retrieved from http://www.arabianhorses.org/education/education_history_bedouin.asp Wikipedia. (2004). Anglo Arabian. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Arabian Wikipedia. (2003). Arabian horse. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabian_horse Wikipedia. (2002). Darley Arabian. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darley_Arabian Wikipedia. (2002). Godolphin Arabian. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godolphin_Arabian Wikipedia. (2002). Thoroughbred. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoroughbred

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