Distinctive Features of the Arabian Horse
Introduction
The beauty of the Arabian horse is undeniable. With its striking appearance, graceful movement, and noble character, it is often regarded as one of the most beautiful breeds in the world. Interestingly however, the Arabian horse was not fashioned by the desires of the Bedouin for a particular look. Rather their horses were bred primarily for survival in the harsh desert environment, and beyond that, to excel in the Bedouins’ defining activity: the ghazw, or desert raid.
The ghazw was a military expedition that involved a surprise attack on an enemy, usually another Bedouin tribe, though it could also be an outside enemy. The raid would often involve taking the opposing side’s domestic animals; goats, camels, and even other horses. The Bedouin would use their best horses for such raids, and so required them to be quick, agile, courageous, and extremely fit.
The Desert Environment
As alluded to above, such events would take place in a very particular environment, with extreme temperature fluctuations; freezing at night and unbearably hot during the day. In addition, the scarcity of resources meant the horses endured a restricted diet, both in terms of quantity and variety.
While horses were also expected to excel in other pursuits, such as racing, where speed was paramount, or enduring long rides on minimal supplies, all of these skills ultimately fed into the demands of the ghazw.
The Arabian horse was also a close companion for the Bedouin, often kept in his tent home and treated as a full member of the family. As a result, temperament and personality were just as highly valued as physical ability. The best horses were intelligent, loyal, courageous, loving, and protective.
The most highly regarded horses were chosen to be bred for the next generation, and so these qualities were preserved and passed on, generation after generation, century after century. Today we are able to witness and appreciate the distinctive features that give us the Arabian type and character.
Type is the basic form of a horse (how it looks) and there are generally agreed-upon features that mark the Arabian. A good horse will, as a prerequisite, also have good conformation. Conformation refers to the shape and structure of the horse, and includes good balance and body proportion, sound bone structure (especially in the legs), good musculature, and a good way of going or moving (see upcoming article on conformation). The character of the Arabian horse will be discussed further in an upcoming piece. The remainder of this article will concentrate on the distinctive physical features.
Key Features
For an Arabian, the following are key features:
- Arabian head
- High-carried tail
- Horizontal croup
- Arched neck
Not every Arabian will have all these features clearly defined, and nor are these features a guarantee of quality. Nevertheless, most Arabians will have at least some element of the first two – the Arabian head and the high carried tail – and these are often considered the defining hallmarks of an Arabian.
1. Arabian Head
This is arguably the single most distinctive feature of an Arabian. While there are numerous individual aspects to consider, once you observe a few well-formed typy Arabian heads, it becomes easy to recognize the breed, and identify a horse as an Arabian.
Overall, the head is remarkably refined. It is relatively small and ‘dry’, where “dry” indicates a clearly defined bone structure with prominent veins, and is the opposite of ‘fleshy’. The head exhibits a triangular or wedge shape, tapering distinctly from the eyes to a small, pinched muzzle.
The large nostrils are parallel to the face profile, while the eyes are large, dark, and round, and are positioned low on the head for an alert expression. The forehead is broad, either flat or with a slight bulge, and known as jibha in Arabic. The area below the eyes and forehead is flat or slightly concave, the latter often referred to as a dished profile. The ears are fine and thorn-like, curving slightly at the tips.
The proportions of the head, particularly the size of the forehead and the profile, contribute significantly to the Arabian’s unique beauty, but importantly, these traits alone do not define excellence in the breed.
2. High-Carried Tail
This is another distinctive and admired feature, and is very easy to notice. The high carried tail is evident when the horse is moving or excited, and it looks like the tail is being carried like a flag. This elegant tail carriage is due to the structure of the horse’s croup (the area around the top of the hindquarters, see Parts of a Horse), which is slightly shorter and flatter than in other breeds (see Other Features section below). This allows the tail to be raised naturally when the horse is in motion or alert. It is important to note that the tail is not always carried vertically and is often at a slight angle.
3. Horizontal Croup
The croup refers to the top of the horse’s hindquarters, and extends from the loins to the tail (see Parts of a Horse). In Arabians, the croup is typically shorter and more horizontally aligned than in other breeds. This flat, horizontal shape contributes to the horse’s high tail carriage and graceful movement.
The horizontal croup not only enhances the horse’s overall appearance but also plays a role in its agility and balance, making the Arabian well-suited for endurance and swift manoeuvres. As mentioned, these are traits crucial in its original desert environment.
4. Arched Neck
The neck of many Arabians is curved in an arch shape. From the top of the chest to the connection at the head the angle can be more than 90°. A well-arched neck helps with balance and manoeuvrability, allowing the horse to move with greater agility and precision.
The mithbaḥ or throatlatch refers to the throat line where the head meets the neck, and this is usually open with a large windpipe. This helps with endurance, ensuring that the horse can breathe efficiently, particularly during exertion. It also helps with flexibility and manoeuvrability, as a clean and well-shaped mithbaḥ allows the horse to flex and arch its neck without restriction. These traits again make the Arabian well-suited for activities requiring endurance and good manoeuvrability.
Other Features
To these four ingredients, we can add a short and strong back, adding to the Arabian’s endurance and agility. In fact, Arabians have a different skeletal structure to other horses, making them unique. They often have 5 lumbar vertebrae as opposed to 6, giving them a shorter back, which provides greater strength and agility, especially when carrying weight over long distances.
Arabians also typically have 17 ribs rather than the 19 of other horses (thoroughbreds have 18), giving a shorter and more compact barrel, and 16 tail vertebrae instead of the usual 18, which contributes to their high tail carriage. Their bones are also very dense, meaning that they can carry relatively heavier weight. I intend to cover these and other attributes of Arabians in greater detail in upcoming articles.
