Arabian Horse
THE ARAB HORSE is regarded as the "fountainhead" of the world's breeds. Because of its genetic purity it is remarkably genetically dominant, consistently stamping its stock with its own powerful character and acting as an up-grading and refining influence. It has played a significant part in the evolution of almost every recognized breed, its greatest contribution being in the foundation of the Thoroughbred Although bigger and faster than the Arab, the Thoroughbred cannot approach it in terms of stamina, soundness, intelligence, and beauty.
History
The Bedu tribes of Arabia kept few written records, but preserved horses' pedigrees by word of mouth. One of the first written accounts of the Arab was produced in about AD 786 by the Arab historian, El Kelbi, who attempted to record the history and pedigrees of the Arab horse, starting from around 3000 BC. His work, although sometimes more allegorical than factual, underlines the antiquity of this equine race.
Later, the Emir Abd-el-Kader (1808-83), in his correspondence with a Frenchman, General Daumas (1803-71), divided the history of the breed into four eras: Adam to Ishmael; Ishmael to Solomon; Solomon to the Prophet Mohammed; and then from the Prophet onwards. He also provided an explanation of the Arab's creation which, though beautiful, takes no account of the theory of evolution.
"When God wanted to create the horse, he said to the South Wind, 'I want to make a creature of you. Condense'. And the Wind condensed. The Archangel Gabriel immediately appeared and took a handful of the stuff and presented it to God, who made a brown bay, or burnt chestnut, upon saying, 'I call you Horse; I make you Arabian and I give you the chestnut colour of the ant; I have hung happiness from the forelock which hangs between your eyes; you shall be the Lord of the other animals. Men shall follow you wherever you go; you shall be as good for pursuit as for flight; riches shall be on your back and fortune shall come through your mediation.' Then He put on the horse the mark of glory and happiness, a white mark in the middle of the forehead."
The four eras proposed by Abd-el-Kader are more firmly rooted in fact. The furst may not be entirely relevant, although Ishmael, the outcast son of Abraham and the furst ancestor of the desert Bedu tribes, was a real person who made use of horses. After the break-up of the Bedu tribes, which followed the death of Ishmael, the story of this desert horse continues in King Solomon's reign. With total disregard for the Israelite law that forbade the keeping of horses on the grounds of idolatry, Solomon encouraged horse-breeding by keeping no fewer than 1,200 riding horses and 40,000 chariot horses in his royal stables. Finally, there is the influence of the Prophet
Studs
The 18th- and 19th-century state studs of Europe, such as Marbach in Germany, Janow Podlaski in Poland, B?bolna in Hungary, and the French studs at Pompadour, Pau, Tarbes, and Gelos, all gave impetus to the development of the Arab horse, as did some notable private studs. The Potocki family, reflecting the long Polish association with these horses, bred superb Arabians at their famous Anton Stud. These Arabs were to extend their influence all over the world. In the UK, Wilfrid and Anne Scawen Blunt founded the Crabbet Stud following their journeys to Arabia in 1878-79, when the degeneration of the breed was already apparent. Later they purchased what was left of the world's most renowned collection of Arabs, which belonged to Abbas Pasha I. Crabbet horses were the foundation for the breeding of Arabs not only in the UK but also in the US, Australia, and South Africa.
CONFORMATION
The appearance of the Arab is unique among the equine races. However, it would be wrong to accept the assertion put forward by some breed enthusiasts that "there is only one true type of pure Arabian" ? there are short, very fine, "dry" head, which
has clearly visible veining. In profile, the face is notably concave, or "dished", and the forehead is convex, forming a shield shape called the jibbah. The muzzle is so small that it fits into a half-cupped hand, while the nostrils are very large, and can flare widely. The eyes are enormous and expressive; an accepted authority, the late R.S. Summerhays, wrote that "in appearance they must be dark and deep in colour, very soulful in the mare, in the stallion showing great alertness, with enormous challenging dignity". The ears are short and mobile, and curve inwards. The jaw bones are so generously rounded that it is possible to fit a fist between them. Another notable feature is the mitbah, the point where the head joins the neck. The greater the arch here, the more easily the head can be moved in all directions.
ORIGINS-ARABIAN SEA
THE ORIGIN OF THE ARAB is unclear, but there is evidence that it existed on the Arabian Peninsula around 2500 BC and was maintained there in its pure form. The Muslim conquests in the 7th century AD extended the breed's influence. During the 18th and 19th centuries it was established in the state studs of Europe, and at private studs in the UK. From there it spread to Russia, Scandinavia, the US, and the English-speaking countries, to become the major force in equine development.
Arabs have 17 ribs, 5 lumbar vertebrae, and 16 tail bones, whereas other horses have a 18-6-18 pattern. This bone formation accounts for the distinctive shape of the back and quarters and the high tail carriage. The breed has a "floating" action, as if moving on invisible springs. Although it can be over 1.52 in (15 hh), the Arab is usually around 1.50 in (14.3 hh). However, it is always referred to as a horse, not a pony, whatever may be its height.
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