The Arabian Horse: A Breed With A Rich HistoryWant to own an intelligent horse with a high spirit and good stamina as well as a long and rich history? Then what you're looking for is an Arabian horse. Originating from the desserts of the Middle East, these horses belong to the oldest breed of horse known to man. From the myths of their origins to their impact on history throughout the years, the Arabian indeed has a rich and colorful history. While it is known that the Arabian horse originated in the deserts of the Middle East, there are never the less many legends about how the horse actually first came to be. These legends include a story of how the Arabian was created by Allah from the mythical four winds. Another myth suggests the angel Gabriel created the horse for Ishmael from a thundercloud. While these stories attempt to tell the story of the Arabian's origins, it is known horses sharing similar characteristics to the modern day Arabian have been found in rock paintings dating as far back as 2,500 B.C. The modern Arabian horse was developed in the Middle Eastern desert by a nomadic people known as the Bedouins, according to information posted on Wikipedia's page dedicated to the Arabian horse. These Bedouins fed their horses milk and dates since there was little pasture land or water in the desert. They also often kept them inside the family tent for protection from theft as well as shelter from the weather. It was during this time that the Arabian breed became the horse it is today. The Bedouins only allowed horses with gentle dispositions to breed. The also bred horses for characteristics needed in a war horse, such as speed, endurance and stealth. By the process of nature, weaker members of the Arabian horse family were weeded out by the difficulties of life in the desert. The first Arabian horse in America perhaps came with Hernan Cortez in 1519. Later, more of these Arabians were probably brought to America when colonists came from England in the 1700's. Currently, Arabians are the most distinctive of all horse breeds in America and around the world. Their heads are concave shaped with an arched neck and high carried tail. While Arabians are generally small horses, they are generally hardier than most breeds because of their strong bone structure. Interestingly, Arabians generally have one less vertebrae and one less pair of ribs than other horses. Currently these beautiful horses are useful as pleasure, show and sport horses. They are also useful as stock horses on working ranches. Perhaps because of their desert origins the Arabian horse is currently the leader when it comes to endurance competitions. Arabians have also served as mascots for football teams, and sometimes even help out with search and rescue operations as well as police work. As you can see, the Arabian horse has a background rich in legend and history. While it is one of the oldest horse breeds known to man, some say the animals are also the most intelligent and willing to please their masters. |
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