Arabian HorseArabian Horse: From the ancient deserts of the Middle East evolved the oldest known breed of riding horse, the "Arabian Horse". Now one of the most popular breeds in America, they have incredible energy, intelligence and gentle disposition allow riders to excel in most equine sports and activities. Today,this horse spends as much time on the trail as they do at Arabian horse shows and other competitive events. For thousands of years, these horses 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 they evolved, with their large lung capacity and incredible endurance. Their ancestry back to the mists of antiquity and to the dust of the Arabian desert where they were housed with honor in the black tents of the roaming Bedouin tribes.
Their ancestry back to the mists of antiquity and to the dust of the Arabian desert where they were housed with honor in the black tents of the roaming Bedouin tribes.
"An Arabian will take care of its owner as no other horse will, for it has not only been raised to physical perfection, but has been instilled with a spirit of loyalty unparalleled by that of any other breed."
Drinkers of the Wind
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 (Byford, et al. Origination of the Arabian Breed)
The Arabian. Never mistaken for another breed, yet is the root from which all light breeds sprang. It captures the soul as no other can, and is favored by artist, photographers, historians and poets over all others. What is the magnetism this breed holds? An early student of the Arabian will find a maze of puzzling terms and subtle type differences. What do they all mean? Constant reference to the Egyptian horse may make one wonder if it is a separate breed. What is a Straight Egyptian Arabian? What does the term Egyptian Related mean? Is there more than one kind? While it lends its fine qualities to others, the Egyptian breed remains virtually unaltered since the beginning of history. The oldest documentation of this horse was a fine carving uncovered in a cave in Turkey. It depicts a leaping, fine-headed horse of pure Arabian type, its mane flowing and tail carried high. Scientific data places this at 8000 BC.
Nobody knows for sure exactly when the Arabian horses’ history begins. Different accounts say that is anywhere between 5000 B.C. and 2500 B.C.. The place of origin is just as mysterious and hotly debated. Some say the breed began in the wild deserts. Others say the existence of these horses can be traced to northern Syria and Southern Turkey. As time went on, early travelers questioned the crossing of apparently different “breeds” by the people of the Desert. These were not, in fact, different breeds but strains, or families, of the same breed. These strains gather their names from the important tribes who bred them. Basic among many variations are the Maneghi, Seglawi, Obeyan and Kuheilan, all descending from the Keheilan, which means “purebred.” Each strain showed distinctive characteristics, no doubt as the result of the individual needs or type preference of the tribe members. By 1500 B.C. the people of the east had trained and had been meticulously breeding them. The Egyptians had used his power harnessed to a chariot to conquer new territories. Many empires rose and fell because of this light, swift horse. Most of the selective breeding can be attributed to the Bedouin tribe in the deserts of Arabia. This tribe believed these horses to be a gift from Allah and treasured them above all else. They bred these horses over a long period of time for very specific purposes. It must have great stamina to carry the riders to their enemies where it would run in by the dark of night and swiftly help steal the enemy’s herds of sheep, cattle and camels. They were also bred for their bulging foreheads, elegantly arched necks and high tail carriage. Because of this they are unique in that they have only seventeen ribs, five lumber bones and sixteen tail vertebrae. All other horses have eighteen ribs, six lumbar bones and eighteen tail vertebrae The story is told of the great loyalty these horses would exhibit to their masters. They would be trained as young two-year-olds to respond to a bell, and then they would be left in the desert heat with no water until they became very thirsty. They would then be released near a body of water and right before the horses would reach the water the owner would ring the bell. The horses that would respond and come even in adversity would be chosen as the best and later would be bred to pass on their great loyalty to their offspring There were five main lines that were bred by five tribes. Each tribe would breed and interbreed only one line to keep the pedigree pure. The priced the purebred horse above all else. These tribes would pass down an oral history of each horses bloodline. In this way they are considered the first to keep a record or type of registry. The lines were remembered through the mares with the stallions holding much less significance. The mares were most treasured because they were used in war because they would not nicker to the enemies horses like the stallions. The purebred mares usually carried no price, meaning they would never be sold. Occasionally they would be given as a gift, which would signify the greatest honor. Usually, the only way another tribe could get them was to steal them or to compete in a long desert race. The winner would take the best mares from the loser’s herd. A study of the pharaonic horses of the tombs and temples of Egypt places the horse in use in Egypt as early as 1580 BC and show these strain characteristics. These relief paintings appear to be actual portraits of horses that must have existed. Today’s Arabian is a product of constant crossing of these strains, as no individual carries the blood of a single, undiluted strain. This is not to say that an Arabian of pure, undiluted, Desert blood does not exist. Therein lies one of the major differences in the Straight Egyptian Arabian and those of other bloodlines. The Straight Egyptian is the blending of strains of pure, undisputed, Desert heritage. We might compare that to the marriage of a man from one ancient desert tribe wedding a daughter of another tribe. They are pure in race (breed), but from different families or tribes (strains). Their children would then be a blending of the two. Though of great significance, the purity of the Egyptian Arabian is not the only reason for their preservation. To delve deeper, we must understand the history of the Egyptian Arabian. The Pharaoh Thotmose III (1504-1450 BC) and his son Amenophis, “could not be overtaken in races,” in large scale military use of the horses of Egypt. Ramses II credits his horses for saving his life in battle against the Hittites. His own words reflect his devotion and appreciation for their valor as he proclaimed, “Henceforth their food shall be given them before me each day when I am in my palace ....” The Pharaoh Piankhi (751 BC) grieved when learning that a rebellious Egyptian King had left his stable in total chaos and cried, “I swear, as Ra loves me..... it is more grievous in my heart that my horses have suffered hunger, than any evil deed that thou hast done, in prosecution of thy desire.” We can easily see from our first documentation of the horse in Egypt, how they had already established themselves as an animal of the greatest importance. They were loved, admired, and cherished by the noblest of men and the desert nomad. As history progresses and the Prophet Mohamed established his teaching out of the desert, he taught that “every man shall love his horse.” Bedouin warriors when mounted on their finest Arabian steed, proved to be invincible as Islam's power spread throughout the civilized world. Egypt was submerged in this Arab tide. Come now, the extraordinary horsemen, the Mamelukes, who swept over Egypt. Their ruler, Ahmad Ibn Tuleu, (1193-1250) built palatial gardens and a magnificent hippodrome to house his collection of the choicest Arabian horses. Saladin¹s horses, who prevented Richard the Lion Hearted from conquering Egypt, were hailed by Sir Walter Scott. He writes in “The Talisman”: “They spurned the sand from behind them -- they seemed to devour the desert before them -- miles flew away with minutes, yet their strength seemed unabated . . . “ In 1279-1382, Sultan Nacer Mohamed Ibn Kalaoun, was obsessed with obtaining the choicest Arabian horses and built an equally impressive Hippodrome for their comfort. Price was no object. For a single mare, he paid the equivalent of $5,599,999., plus land. These horses were indisputably the most beautiful, courageous and exquisite horses in the world. Solomon, King of Isreal, built 40,000 stalls for his Arabian horses. When the eastern people began fighting with those in the west and north they introduced the Arabian horse to the rest of the world. Coming out of the dark ages the European nations had never seen such small, fast horses. They had been breeding horses for sturdiness and strength to carry a man in full armor. When the Arabs were introduced they were very highly sought after and the man who owned one was held in high regard. As the Arabians were traded and given as gifts they were used to improve local stock, thereby influence either directly or indirectly every other breed we have today. Mohammed Ali helped to spread their influence by saying they were a gift from God, to be treated kindly, and bred in great numbers for future wars. Later, the crusaders would bring back great numbers of purebred Arabians on their journey home from the east.
Then, a man's wealth was measured in his holdings of these fine animals. Given that this breed were 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 mandated that their numbers be increased, as the horses would be crucial to the inevitable battles that would be required for his religious conquests. He also proclaimed that Allah had created the Arabian, and that those who treated the horse well would be rewarded in the afterlife. These incentives, coupled with the Koran's instruction that "no evil spirit will dare to enter a tent where there is a purebred horse," further spurred the breeding of the Arabian. 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.
Even today the purebred breed is virtually the same as that ridden in ancient Arabia. The Arabian positioned as the undisputed champion of endurance events. If you're looking for a companion who'll be your partner in adventure or competition-and your friend for life-then this breed may be the horse for you. When we first encounter this horse, 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. About 3500 years ago the hot-blooded horse assumed the role of king-maker in the east, including the valley of the Nile and beyond, changing human history and the face of the world. Through him the Egyptians were made aware of the vast world beyond their own borders. The Pharaohs were able to extend the Egyptian empire by harnessing the horse to their chariots and relying on his power and courage. With his help, societies of such distant lands as the Indus Valley civilizations were united with Mesopotamian cultures. The empires of the Hurrians, Hittites, Kassites, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians and others rose and fell under his thundering arabic hooves. His strength made possible the initial concepts of a cooperative universal society, such as the Roman empire. The Arabian "pony express" shrank space, accelerated communications and linked empires together throughout the eastern world.
This awe-inspiring horse of the east appears on seal rings, stone pillars and various monuments with regularity after the 16th century B.C. Egyptian hieroglyphics proclaim his value; Old Testament writings are filled with references to his might and strength. Other writings talk of the creation of the Arabian, "thou shallst fly without wings and conquer without swords." King Solomon some 900 years B.C. eulogized the beauty of "a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots," while in 490 B.C. the famous Greek horseman, Xinophon proclaimed: "A noble animal which exhibits itself in all its beauty is something so lovely and wonderful that it fascinates young and old alike." But whence came the "Arabian horse?" We have seen this same horse for many centuries before the word "Arab" was ever used or implied as a race of people or species of horse. 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, he was considered a gift from Allah, to be revered, cherished and almost worshipped. Long before Europeans were to become aware of his existence, the horse of the desert had established himself as a necessity for survival of the Bedouin people. 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. The mythology and romance of the breed grew with each passing century as stories of courage, endurance and wealth intermingled with the genealogies. Due in part to the religious significance attached to this breed, as well as the contribution it made to the wealth and security of the tribe, the breed flourished in near isolation. Traditions of breeding and purity were established 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.
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. A welcome guest would find his mare's bridle hung from the center pole of his hosts' tent to indicate his status. In this way, tribes that were often at war would meet and, with great hospitality, break bread and share stories of their bravest and fastest horses. Races were held with the winner taking the best of the losers herd as their prize. Breeding stock could be bought and sold, but as a rule, the war mares carried no price. If indeed they changed hands it would be as a most honored gift. Through the centuries the tribes who roamed the northern desert in what is now Syria became the most esteemed breeders of fine horses. No greater gift could be given than an Arabian mare.
The Bedouin valued pure in strain Arabian horses above all others, and many tribes owned only one main strain of horse. The five basic families of the breed, known as "Al Khamsa", include Kehilan, Seglawi, Abeyan, Hamdani and Hadban. Other, less "choice" strains include Maneghi, Jilfan, Shuwayman, and Dahman. Substrains developed in each main strain, named after a celebrated mare or Sheik that formed a substantial branch within the main strain. A great story of courage, endurance, or speed always accompanied the recitation of the genealogy of the sub-strain, such as the great Kehilet al Krush, the Kehilet Jellabiyat and the Seglawi of Ibn Jedran. Each of these mares carried with them stories of great battles and intrigue. Their daughters were sought after by the most powerful Kings but often remained unattainable. Daughters and granddaughters of these fabled mares changed hands through theft, bribery and deceit. If any of their descendants were sold, the prices were legendary. Each strain, when bred pure, developed characteristics that could be recognized and identified. 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. 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.
To own such a horse would not only allow for the improvement of local stock, but would endow the fortunate man with incredible prestige. Such a horse in the stable would rival the value of the greatest art work hung on the wall. Europeans of means, primarily Royalty, went to great lengths to acquire these fabled horses. 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 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. This great horse also made inroads into other parts of Europe and even farther east. In France, they 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. These tribes, although their breeding records were kept 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 it's 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.
"Serenity" Artist ~ Sharlene Lindskog-Osorio
Lets return from Arabian Horses to Horse Art
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