The Arabian horse is the most popular breed of horse in the world. It can be found everywhere from the deserts of Saudi Arabia to your local barn. In this article, we will explore different types of Arabian types of horses and what they are best suited for.
In addition to being a favorite at shows, Arabian horses make wonderful family pets due to their gentle nature and endurance. They have been proven time after time as an excellent mount for many different disciplines including dressage, showjumping, eventing, and polo.
The Arabian horse is a breed that has the ability to traverse any terrain, and they are also known for their endurance. There are six different types of purebred Arabian horses: Egyptian, Russian, Polish, Spanish (which was bred in Spain), Crabbet (a type often found at royal courts throughout Europe), and Shagya Arabians; each one providing its own unique characteristics as well as history.
The Arabian horse is known all over the world as being quite elegant, beautiful, and spirited which makes them perfect racehorses or family companions who can be ridden on long journeys without becoming tired.
The Arabians have slender bodies yet strong muscles making them capable of covering vast lengths at high speeds thanks to centuries of selective breeding.
The differences between each one can be difficult at first glance so we will take some time today to discuss these fine breeds.
Egyptian Arabian Horses
You may have seen them in the wild, or at a show. They are beautiful creatures with an elegant gait and graceful movements. However, if you haven’t heard of Egyptian Arabian horses before, you might be wondering just what they are.
The Egyptian Arabian is a breed of horse native to Egypt that was originally bred for use as warhorses and cavalry mounts.
Originating from Arabians brought over by Muslims fleeing persecution in Arabia during the 7th century CE, this breed has been used all over the world for many different purposes including general riding and driving as well as racing horses!
The Arabians of Egypt are a breed unto themselves. This is because they have been bred in extreme isolation for centuries, and their bloodlines can be traced back to the Egyptian people who owned them directly during the mid-1800s.
Centuries ago these majestic animals were used for transportation across the desert sands but during World War II began being bred specifically for racing purposes instead. It wasn’t until 1952 when a catalog was first traced this breed’s pedigrees to identify its heritage officially that people recognized them separately from any others within Arabia and even outside those borders.
Unlike other breeds that were interbred over time, this line remains pure and unaltered by outside sources – a fact which makes them incredibly valuable today as most modern Arabian horses cannot trace theirs to such an authentic lineage.
The Egyptian Arabian is prized by horse breeders worldwide for its refined beauty and elegance. The horses range in height from 14 to 15 hands with a smaller build than other Arabians.
Today’s breeding efforts still focus on preserving this rare type of equine species despite only making up 2% of today’s population as opposed to 10 – 20% over 40 years ago.
Polish Arabian Horses
Polish Arabian horses are a popular breed of horse and have been around for over 300 years. The Polish Arabian Horse Registry is one of the oldest registries in the world, with records dating back to 1791. Polish Arabian Horses are known for their intelligence, endurance, and courage.
This is a breed that was developed in Poland and is now found all over the world. It was created by the unification of two separate breeds: The Arabians and Poles, both known for their bravery in wartime.
These horses originated from Poland and they were known for their large size. They also had an excellent temperament which made them ideal for riding or driving.
The Polish have been riding horses for centuries and they were even the first to keep purebred Arabian horses. They learned from their enemies during wars as they often rode these animals when invading Poland’s borders. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Polish magnates’ high-quality bloodstocks were famous all over Europe as their war tactics were to capture Arabian horse mounts from their enemies so that they could create a stud farm with these valuable prizes.
To this day, the Polish are considered one of the world’s top breeders of purebred Arabian horses.
Horses have been an important part of Polish culture for centuries. It was a hard blow when World War I destroyed the breeding stock, but fortunately, Poland maintained their bloodlines and in 1926 formed the Arabian Horse Breeding Society to help rebuild what had once been lost.
There are two different types of Polish bloodlines that used to be split. The Seglawi which was the most popular horse in America were known for their refinement and beauty whereas the Kuhailan horses were known for their athleticism.
If you’re looking for a smart horse that’s willing to please, then the Polish Arabians are your perfect choice. Polish Arabian horses are known as “The Horse of Kings,” these beautiful animals have been bred into royalty in many countries including Sweden, Russia, Iran, and Spain.
Russian Arabian Horses
Russian Arabians were bred by crossing purebred Arabian horses with various breeds, including Thoroughbreds and Anglo-Arabian horses. The goal was to produce a versatile breed that could be ridden in either Eastern or Western disciplines. Over time, this has led to them being used for racing as well as English riding competitions such as show jumping.
The Russian Arabian Horse is typically bred for endurance and stamina, which has made them popular among those who use the animals for agricultural purposes.
These horses were introduced into Eastern Europe in the 17th century, where they became popular among the Russian nobility. They created breeding programs for these magnificent creatures with an eye towards achieving their desired type of animal – one which bred from multiple bloodlines including Polish and Crabbet breeds.
The Revolution led to many horse deaths but fortunately, historians have been able to piece together much about this fascinating history by studying records left behind as well as stud books kept during those years.
The state-run, post-WWII breeding program was reestablished with six mares and one stallion from France to keep up the stock after a devastating war had taken its toll on horse breeds around Europe.
Shortly thereafter, the government purchased 25 Crabbet Park horses to introduce into this carefully selected line of animals for its excellent qualities as cavalry mounts – known best today as “Polish bloodlines“.
The story behind how these beautiful creatures were saved might just be enough to make you want one!
The Russian Arabian is a breed of horse that has been bred for its excellent athletic abilities, which makes them an ideal first racehorse. They are intelligent and friendly horses who have a solid build but can still move swiftly when they need to.
Spanish Arabian Horses
The Spanish Arabian horse is a breed of horse that originated in the Iberian Peninsula, which includes Spain and Portugal. The horses are known for their elegant features, including a long neck, slender legs, and refined head. They are best suited to dressage competitions as they have an easy gait with great balance.
They have many different colors and markings, which is what makes them so unique.
In Medieval times, these horses were popular amongst knights as their mounts because of their strength and endurance on long journeys. Nowadays, they are used for leisurely rides or competitive racing. Some famous Spanish Arabian Horses include Dancing Tribute (the fastest racehorse), Zafeen (a champion showjumper), and Fjordinna (winner of the Longines World Cup).
The Spanish Arabian horse has a long history that dates back several hundred years. The breed experienced an increase in population numbers when the Yeguada Militar Stud was established.
The Spanish Arabian is considered the rarest type of Arabian horse, making up roughly 1% of the breed.
For centuries, the Spanish people had been trying to create a purebred Arabian herd in Spain. They finally made the decision with their noble efforts and gathered a wonderful selection of Arabians from breeding stock to grow bloodlines. Fast forward today, all Spanish Arabians are descended from Stud Book lineages which was started by this group back in 1908!
Spanish horses became very popular for their athletic build as well as good temperament – these animals were bred specifically for smoothness and docility making them perfect candidates for all sorts of equestrian sports like polo or racing events!
Today, Spanish Arabian Horses are popular show horses because of their temperament and beauty, and many people enjoy owning these beautiful creatures as pets or for dressage competitions.
Crabbet Arabian Horses
For horse lovers, there is no better breed than the Crabbet Arabian Horse. These horses are known for their elegance and grace. The Crabbet Arabian Horse was created by Lady Anne Blunt from her own breeding program at her home called “Crabbet Park” in Sussex, England.
After their initial arrival of imported Arabians from Crabbet Park Stud, Wilfrid Scawen Blunt and Lady Anne Blunt set out abroad on an expedition for more stud horses; carefully studying lineage before bringing back what they found best.
She bred Arabians to produce a horse with great beauty, intelligence, endurance, and athleticism. Lady Anne’s goal was to create the perfect warhorse that would be suited for military use in both combat and reconnaissance roles as well as one that excelled in hunting and racing competitions on the track or over cross-country terrain.
Crabbet Arabian Horses have a special history that has been traced back to the 12th century. They are known for their elegance and beauty, which can be seen in the horses’ slender necks and long manes.
When it comes to Crabbet Arabian Horses, they are bred for what is called “style over substance” or more specifically – graceful movement over muscle power.
Arabians are bred for their larger, sturdier bodies and typically have a more straight-nosed profile. They’re known to make excellent riding horses thanks in part to their soundness, athleticism, and good temperaments – making them perfect showjumpers or dressage mounts.
Shagya Arabian Horses
Shagya Arabian Horses are known for their endurance and speed, as well as their beauty. They are one of the oldest and most beautiful breeds in the world. Originating from Africa, these horses have been bred for centuries to be a versatile breed that can live in any climate. The Shagya Arabian Horse’s name is derived from “Shaqa,” which means “flood”.
This reflects their ability to survive long periods of time without water or food because they can go into what we call survival mode – where they will lower their metabolism rate so as not to require any energy.
The first Shagya-Arabian breeding program started back in 1789 when Hungary’s military sought an Arabian with all its characteristics but larger and more capable for war. The horses were first developed from purebred Arabians as well as modern riding breeds to create this new steed – one which would be able to carry their soldiers into battle while still being quick on his feet.
The Shagya comes from the blood of an ancient breed. Breeding this horse involved taking desert-bred Arabian stallions, and mating them with southeastern European mares that were largely descended from Arabian stock.
Thoroughbreds and Lippizansers are also added to improve size and movement through their lineage – it’s no surprise, then, that these horses became known as “Shagyas”!
The Shagya is the perfect combination of strength and athleticism, with a powerful body that can withstand grueling training.
This breed has been carefully bred for their size, which in turn makes them fantastic sport horses. Some stand at 15-16 hands tall – taller than your average Arabian horse!
