Arabian Horse

This iconic and beautiful breed is great for youth in any discipline.

- BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON

Envision this scene: A glorious black Arabian stallion swims powerfully through the ocean in the aftermath of a shipwreck, pulling you to the safety of a deserted island where you later learn to ride him.

That might happen if you're Alec Ramsey in The Black Stallion movie and book, but even if you're not shipwrecked on an island with a wild stallion, you've probably seen Arabian horses at the stable or at horse shows. The Arabian is a beautiful breed capable of many different jobs.

NOTABLE TRAITS

A light horse breed that stands between 14.1 and 15.3 hands (although 15.1 is more common on the tall end), Arabian horses have been prized for centuries for their stamina and versatility. But Arabians are also famous for their distinctive beauty and presence. What is it about the Arabian's appearance that sets it apart from other breeds?

Part of the reason is surely the Arabian's sculpted head, which sports a heavily dished face and large eyes that are prominently set on the sides of the face. The Arabian's muzzle is small, but the nostrils are flared, which also adds to this breed's dramatic look. There is an unmistakable elegance about the Arabian that contributes to its distinctive type—from the arched neck to the graceful body.

You'll find Arabians in four different coat colors: bay, black, chestnut and gray, sometimes with occasional roaning caused by coat patterns like sabino. Gray is something of a classic Arabian color, and many foundation stallions were gray, including *Raffles and Skowronek.

IMPORTANT DATES IN ARABIAN HISTORY

Approx. 2500 B.C.: The ancestors of Arabian horses reside in the deserts of the Middle East and are beloved by the Bedouin people.