How to Choose an Arabian

Admired for its beauty and athleticism, the Arabian has physical traits so distinctive it's easy to pick these horses out of a crowd.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 8-foot Lead Rope
• Halter

1. Distinguishable and highly noticeable physical attributes of an Arabian include a dished face; large, widely set eyes; an arched neck; a short back (Arabian horses often have one less vertebra than other breeds); and a high tail carriage.

2. The Arabian is the oldest purebred in the world - a fact of great importance to Arabian owners and breeders.

3. Known for their stamina, soundness, speed, disposition and loyalty, Arabians excel in endurance rides of 50 to 100 miles.

4. Flaring nostrils provide the Arabian with maximum oxygen intake, and its large trachea allows for bigger lung capacity. The arched neck carries plenty of air to the lungs and helps keep the windpipe clear.

5. The Arab's strong, short back carries substantial weight with ease.

6. Free of most lameness, the Arabian is known for being sound because of its strong, resilient legs and dense, compact bone.

7. Designed to perform well under harsh desert conditions, the Arabian's lighter muscling quickly dissipates heat and lactic acid.

8. Alert, curious and possessing a quick intelligence, the Arabian is a great horse to ride, but can also be flighty and high-strung.

9. Suited for many events - including Western riding - the Arabian stands out in the sport of distance riding.

10. Slightly smaller than many breeds, Arabians average 15 hands and weigh approximately 900 to 1,000 pounds. They consistently outlive other breeds, reaching their prime at age 20 and often living well past 30.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact the Arabian Horse Registry of America, Inc. at 12000 Zuni Street, Westminster, CO 80234. [phone]. They only register purebred Arabians.
• Contact the International Arabian Horse Association at 10805 E. Bethany Drive, Aurora, CO 80014. [phone]. They register half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses, produce national championship All-Arabian horse shows, hold competitive trail and endurance rides, and sponsor recognition and awards programs.
• Contact Arabian Horse America at the Arabian Horse Registry address or call [phone]. They serve as the overall marketing entity for the Arabian breed.
• Horses have unique personalities just like people do. It is best to take some time to get to know an individual animal before purchasing it.

[Nouvisimo]

on 1/19/2008 Arabians are the only breed in the U.S. in which juniors can ride stallions in the show pen.

[smacquart]

on 7/22/2007 Would you sell me your article?

on 3/7/2006 I have had Arabians all my life, they are a tough, versatile, friendly breed. Very bright horses, sometimes smarter than the people that try to train them. They have a lot of go but this isn't to be confused with hotness, they just like being around people, they like being worked and are ready to get to it. Like someone mentioned, there are big Arabs as well as small. One of mine is 13.1 hh another one I have is an honest 15.3 hh and 1100 lbs. So shop around there are Arabs of every shape size and attitude.

on 11/22/2005 I recently adopted a registered, branded purebred Arabian gelding from the Columbia Basin Equine Rescue. He's a blast, he's very intelligent. He learns quickly, and sometime in his life someone put a lot of training into him. He was also very inexpensive because no one was trying to make a profit off of him; they are just trying to find a suitable home. Definitely consider adoption!

on 11/22/2005 Arabian horses are the most beautiful, durable horse out there! They can do anything with the right training!