Arabian
Of all the horses in the world, there is no other breed so beautiful, so pure or so ancient as the Arabian. He truly seems to be a fantasy from a tale of Arabian Nights, with his classical dished face, the muzzle that could fit into a teacup, the large and expressive eyes, elegant tapering of the ears, and nostrils that flare wide to "Drink the Wind". The exact origins of the Arabian horse are lost in the shifting sands of time, but we know that he has inhabited the deserts for over 4,000 years. The Bedouin people who tamed him believed their horses were a gift from the gods, and told many romantic tales about their beloved animals. One legend tells how Allah fashioned the south wind into a creature who "shall fly without wings". The Bedouins considered their Arabians not only transportation, but prized members of their families, and often welcomed their horses to sleep in their tents at night. Mares were the favored mounts of the Bedouin warriors, as they were thought to be wisest and most courageous. The Bedouin tribes bred Arabians for extraordinary stamina and toughness, so that they could survive the harsh conditions of the desert. Their horses could travel for great distances without food or drink. Even today, no other breed rivals the Arabian in long distance competitive trail riding.
When Europeans wanted to improve of their riding horses, they imported Arabians to cross with their native mares. Arabians contributed elegance, speed, intelligence and soundness- their legs and feet were sturdy without looking coarse. Today almost every single light horse breed (horses used for riding verses heavy work) has been influenced by the Arabian. The Thoroughbred, in particular, owes many of its best quilities to the influence of three Arabian sires. In addition to his beautiful face, the Arabian can be identified by his graceful arched neck, his short back and the way he carries his high tail, like a flag. He is usually small, ranging between 14 and 15.2 hands, and he comes in gray, bay, chestnut, roan and, rarely, solid black (which is much prized). Regardless of the color of his coat, the Arabian always has black skin, which helps keep him from getting sunburned in the desert. He has unusual intelligence and a sensitive nature, but with proper handleing, he can be a good family horse, versatile enough to participate in many different disciplines and be as loyal a friend as he was to the Bedouins. I personally would choose an Arabian because of how wonderful they are. Wild spirit, gentle heart. |
