It is difficult to even imagine a more graceful creature, with an incredible curve of the neck and a flying tread. This is a very ancient animal - a horse bred in the IV-VII centuries on the Arabian Peninsula.
This article presents a story about an amazing and beautiful creation of nature - an Arabian horse. Characteristics, lifestyle, disposition, habits of the animal will be presented in it.
general information
This horse is the ancestor of many other breeds that are famous among horse breeders: the English horse, Barbary, Oryol trotter, Lusitano, Russian horse, Andalusian, Lippitsan, Percheron, etc. Due to their endurance, they are irreplaceable and quite frequent participants in horse runs lasting 5-6. days. Moreover, every day the animal must overcome up to 100 miles.
Grace and luxury of this horse delight absolutely everyone. They can be called the most chic in the world (photos of beautiful Arabian horses are presented below). Not a single show or any sporting event is complete without them.
However, not many people know that the Arabian breed is one of the oldest. It is she who is the ancestor of many other breeds.
Short story
It took almost two centuries for people to be able to breed such a magnificent breed. This happened in the IV-VI centuries on the Arabian Peninsula. For this, selected horses from Central Asia were used. Moreover, the enumeration method was used for a rather long time. The breed was finally bred by the Bedouins in the 7th century.
According to some assumptions, the founders of the Arabian horses were North African and Parthian horses, and possibly the ancient Spanish breeds.
Very often, Arab thoroughbred horses were used in constant long wars, where in fairly difficult conditions, but with decent care and feeding with vegetation and other food from such a hot climatic zone, not very large but agile horses began to develop in a gallop. They moved very well in gait.
The main jewel of the Arab inhabitants was this breed of horse. It was strictly forbidden to sell them to other countries at that time, and disobedience was punishable even by death. In addition, under the strict prohibition was the crossing of the horses of this breed with other varieties. Their development took place in conditions of absolute sterility. The appearance of the very first horses of the Arabian horse is compared with the first Crusade.
Possessing not very large horse growth (all the predecessors of modern breeds were slightly smaller) have amazing grace and good agility, which won the attention of the whole society. With the help of these darlings of the audience, some types of horses in Europe gradually began to improve - heavy trucks, draft and riding. World horse breeding began to develop thanks to the Arab breed. Today, many breeds are known in Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Hungary, Austria, France and Russia, which appeared thanks to the Arab riding horse.
And the creation of the Streltsy, Tver, Orel Tver and Oryol trotter breeds is also associated with Arab stallions.
Legends
There are many legends about the origin of the Arabian horse, its incredible beauty, and the true origin of this animal remains secret to this day.
According to one Arabic legend, a purebred breed was created by Allah from a strong gust of wind, and therefore in many paintings the horse is depicted surrounded by a halo.
Another legend introduces these animals to the horses of the Prophet Muhammad. During a long journey through the desert, the prophet, accompanying the herd of horses, had to survive several days without water and food. And when they were near the oasis, all the horses fled to the source. The owner called them, but only 5 horses returned to him. Among them was a noble Arabian horse.
Arabian breed of horses: photo, description
These horses are relatively low - at the withers of about 1.4-1.55 cm. But in their physique, grace and lightness are felt, which are emphasized by strong and long legs.
The neck of the Arabian horse (photo of the horse is presented in the article), which is of sufficient length, is gracefully and beautifully curved. The tail is always set high, and it rises up on the go. A horse looks quite spectacular, which rushes at a tremendous speed, like the wind, with a silky tail that is beautifully developing in the wind and raised up.
The colors of the horse: red, gray, black and bay. Exterior: small head, concave profile, wide nostrils, small ears, beautifully outlined withers, graceful neck, wide chest, short even back, firm strong legs and wide chest.
Distinctive features
The Arabian horse has an unusually constructed skeleton. This beauty has only 17 ribs (others 18), 5 lumbar vertebrae (others 6) and 16 tail vertebrae (the rest 18).
On the stately head of the steed, large beautiful eyes and round cheeks are clearly visible. The profile with a slightly concave nose bridge also distinguishes this breed from all others.
The horses are amazingly hardy, able to overcome huge distances with their small stature even with an adult rider on their backs. Usually their health is not clouded by anything. They differ in longevity.
Varieties of breed
At least 3 main and 2 mixed types stand out:
- Cocheilan is an animal with excellent race qualities and a strong structure with well-developed muscles. More often it is a red or bay suit.
- Siglava is a light beautiful animal of medium build. They are less frisky, but have a bright external appeal.
- Habdan is the largest representative of the Arab breed. This is a horse with a long body and taller growth, with minimal characteristics of this breed. A very hardy animal with excellent athletic qualities.
- Kokheilan-siglavi and siglavi-habdan (mixed types) - a line with the properties of each type. They combine the attractiveness of a siglava and massive forms of coheilan. They have high growth and good performance.
Temper
In addition to its chic nature, Arabian horses (photos can be seen below) are famous for their gullible and friendly character. They are very smart, well oriented on the ground, have developed memory and a fine ear. Horses with excellent intelligence are easily trained, and they are able to learn both bad and good.
In fact, they have vindictiveness, can hold a grudge all their lives and never forgive the offender. Purebred horses are designed for experienced riders; it is highly undesirable to teach children how to ride them. Arabian horses can be led only by self-confident, strong and physically trained individuals. With all this, the Arab breeds are friendly and loyal. They have an increased susceptibility to the world. They are negative about the use of force by a person, that is, they do not like to do anything without their consent.
With such stubbornness and some disobedience, they have a great desire to please the owner, to whom they quickly become attached (only with good attitude and content).
Arabian horses in Russia
What is the history of this breed in our homeland? For the first time in Russia, an Arabian horse appeared under Ivan the Terrible. Thanks to this breed, not only the Streltsy horses and the Oryol trotter were created. They had a considerable impact on the improvement of such Russian breeds as the Don, Karachai, Kabardian, Karabakh, etc.
Horses of the Arabian breed in Russia have always been famous for their first-class quality. For example, in Tsarist times breeds bred in Russia won prizes at various world exhibitions. In Soviet times, Arabian horses bred in the country were purchased and exported to the United States, European countries, and even to the states of the Arabian Peninsula.
Today you can see races with Arabian horses at the following Russian hippodromes: in Moscow, Pyatigorsk, Kazan, Rostov, Nalchik and Krasnodar. The best Russian Arabian horses are displayed at such horse studs of the country: Moscow, Tersky, Khrenovsky. They are grown in several private farms.
About horse breeding in the world
To date, the breeding of the Arab breed is widespread in many countries.
Thanks to her, world horse breeding began to develop. To coordinate the breeding work with this breed, there is a World Organization uniting 60 countries involved in Arabian horse breeding.
Today, blood of a racehorse, whose homeland is the Arabian Peninsula, is found in almost every racehorse breed.
Care and maintenance of the Arabian breed of horses
This breed does not require special care. Arabian horses are quite content with a spacious, warm and clean room in order to move freely around it, or at least turn around.
A prerequisite for maintenance is the constant presence of top dressing and clean water. If the day was active for the horse, it is advisable to complete it with a contrast shower to help relieve fatigue.
Although Arabian horses have excellent health, it is advisable to show them to a veterinarian for prevention twice a year. After each horse’s exit from the stable and after horse racing, it is necessary to carefully examine its hooves for any damage or injuries and clean them of dirt.
It’s a good idea to bathe the animal twice a week using special equipment for horses. Its tail and mane need constant combing. And in order to protect the animal from all kinds of infections, it is necessary to process its nostrils more often with special means.
Nutrition
It is very useful to feed horses with barley and milk of camels (as their ancestors were fed), which helps to strengthen muscles.
Feeding should be especially strengthened in the evening, and at dawn you need to drive horses to a watering place. According to the owners, such a daily diet helps horses become more playful and active.
It should be noted that representatives of this breed do well without water for several days. And this is due to the desert way of life of their ancestors.
Some interesting facts
The results of archaeological excavations suggest that animals similar to Arabian horses existed on the earth about 4 thousand 500 years ago.
Thanks to the excellent qualities of horses (mind, hard work, endurance, fast learner), they took an intensive part in many military campaigns.
The Arab thoroughbred horse is one of the most expensive gifts presented to state rulers, tribal leaders, and other important people. Mares were especially appreciated, as it was believed that they were more hardy, and also suitable for procreation.
The Arabian horse boasts the longest period of life. Most of them live to 30 years, and mares are able to bring offspring to a very old age.
These majestic animals have always been the pride of breeders. Each member of the breed had their own pedigree, and this pedigree, certified by a special oath, was passed on from generation to generation in the presence of witnesses.
Using
To a greater extent, this breed is used in horse racing. It is good for horseback riding and amateur sports.
The Arabian breed of horses is still used in the improvement and breeding of many other breeds. Breeding events today are aimed at preserving and developing the best qualities of the Arab breed, as well as at increasing its growth.
Horse price
These horses are valued very highly. You can buy them either from private individuals or at auctions. The cost of the best horses is up to 1 million dollars, and sometimes more. And their cost depends primarily on the pedigree.
The buyer looks at the external characteristics, the behavior and the parents of the horse (if possible). Not a single person having or ever had this amazingly beautiful animal was disappointed in such an acquisition. These are one of the best horses in the world, which most often become winners of horse races and horse races.
Conclusion
Such horses (Arabic or Anglo-Arabian) belongs to the category of luxury goods. They are purchased for participation in exhibitions, in circus performances, for filming films and various shows. Such a purchase emphasizes the rather high status of the owner and his considerable wealth. And many are not sorry to lay out a rather large amount for such luxurious grace and beauty.