meetthearabian

    You have but to look at the Arabian horse to know that he is set apart from all other breeds. The combination of beauty, intelligence, stamina, companionship, and trust are all comprised within this exquisite breed. As described by the American Horse Shows Association in Marian K. Carpenter's book Arabian Legends:

     "The head in profile is preferred to be slightly concave below the eyes; small muzzle; large nostrils; large, round, dark eyes; short from eye to muzzle; wide between the eyes; deep jowls; and small, thin ears with tips curved inward, almost to be touching.
      The neck is long and arched, set high on long, sloping shoulders; high withers; deep chest with well-sprung ribs; short back; strong loins; relatively level croup with high-set-on tail, carried naturally high (Note: the Arabian doeshave one less rib or vertebrae, as is sometimes stated)
      Legs have short cannons, long forearms, large joints, good muscles, flat bone and sloping pasterns; feet are round and proportionate to size
      Average size is 14.1 to 15.1 hands
      Skin is always dark; solid colors of bay, chestnut, gray, black, roan; white markings if present are preferred to be on face, lower legs
      Also note balance, candenced gaits, smoothness, agility, stamina
      Nature is vital, animated, sensitive, intelligent, and kind(12).

     Not only is the Arabian a beautiful creature, it is also an ideal mount. They've been bred with enduring stamina and speed in their veins. "Their circulatory systems, with arteries and veins lying close to the thin-skinned surface, high-carried tails, and dark skin were defenses agains the burning sun and allowed heat to more easily dissipate. Large lungs and a heart hidden beneath well-sprung ribs, with a deep girth, and bones and hooves like steel, gave the Arabian horse incredible endurance and strength over long distances"(5).
     Their speed and stamina benefitted other breeds as well, the most notable being the Thoroughbred racehorse. All Thoroughbred racehorses descend from three Arabians: Darley Arabian (the most influential), the Byerly Turk, and the Godolphin Arabian. By crossing these Arabians with heavier horses in England, the fastest horses in the world were produced. Other breeds fathered by the Arabian include: Quarter Horses, Standardbreds, Appaloosas, Saddlebreds, Mustangs, Morgans, Tennessee Walker, Lipizzans, and Hackneys. In addition, Percherons and Welsh Mountain Ponies have Arabian blood in them.
     Today, the Arabian is still beautiful, and still an amazing performer. Whether you're looking for a quality show horse or simply a companion, the Arabian is your answer. He
      "...enjoys a reputation of both beauty and versatility. He continues to attract horse lovers entranced by his fire and vitality, yet tempered with an intelligence and gentleness sometimes difficult to put into words but thrilling to experience.
     Just as in the day of the Bedouin, Arabians often become part of the family; indeed, people often remark on the breed's ability to closely relate to humans.
     Arabian horses allow us to dream. Their beauty somehow touches our souls and inspires us to reach higher and be better than we ever before could imagine"(11).

     And so, I dedicate this site to this amazing breed, for the Arabian has touched my life in so many countless ways.