Horse Illustrated Magazine

Envision this scene: a glorious black Arabian stallion swims powerfully through the ocean in the aftermath of a shipwreck, pulling you to the safety of a deserted island where you later learn to ride him.

That might happen if you’re Alec Ramsey in The Black Stallion movie and book, but even if you’re not shipwrecked on an island with a wild stallion, you’ve probably seen Arabian horses at the stable or at horse shows. The Arabian is a beautiful breed capable of many different jobs.

What Are Arabian Horses Known For?

A light horse breed that stands between 14.1 and 15.3 hands (although 15.1 is more common on the tall end), Arabian horses have been prized for centuries for their stamina and versatility. But Arabians are also famous for their distinctive beauty and presence. What is it about the Arabian’s appearance that sets it apart from other breeds?

Part of the reason is surely the Arabian’s sculpted head, which sports a heavily dished face and large eyes that are prominently set on the sides of the face. The Arabian’s muzzle is small, but the nostrils are flared, which also adds to this breed’s dramatic look. There is an unmistakable elegance about the Arabian that contributes to its distinctive type, stemming from its arched neck and graceful body.

You’ll find Arabians in four different coat colors: bay, black, chestnut and gray, sometimes with occasional roaning caused by coat patterns like rabicano. Gray is something of a classic Arabian color, and many foundation stallions were gray, including the imported Raffles and Skowronek.

How is an Arabian’s Skeleton Different?

If you study the conformation of many horse breeds, you might notice that the Arabian tends to have a shorter back than other breeds, as well as a high-set tail and a level croup. There is a good reason for this: most Arabians actually have a slightly different skeletal structure than other horse breeds.

In addition to having a higher bone density than other breeds, Arabians usually have one less rib and only have five lumbar vertebrae in their backs instead of six, which results in a shorter back. Additionally, their tails are missing two vertebrae, which might contribute to the Arabian’s tendency to lift their tails high when excited.

How Versatile is an Arabian Horse?

The spirited Arabian has no shortage of talent when it comes to competing or performing. Arabians are used in racing, and also compete in endurance riding, where horse and rider complete long-distance rides of 50 or 100 miles.

And whether it’s a local open show or an Arabian breed show, you’ll find Arabians competing in hunters, western pleasure, English pleasure, dressage, jumping, saddle seat, reining, cutting, and many other disciplines, in addition to in-hand conformation and showmanship classes. Even though you might first think of Arabians as riding horses, you’ll also find some that compete in pleasure driving.

Arabians excel outside of competition too, whether it’s a quiet ride down a trail or a low-key ride around the outdoor arena.

Are Arabian Horses Good for Beginners?

If you’re interested in Arabian horses and would like to learn more about them, you might be interested in the Arabian Horse Association’s Discovery Farm program. This program is an opportunity for beginning riders to meet Arabian horses and learn from informative farm owners who are willing to share their knowledge of Arabians.

For thousands of years, people have cherished their alliance with the Arabian horse. And when you ride or watch an Arabian, remember that you’re participating in that connection and helping to write the latest chapter in the Arabian’s story.

This article about the Arabian horse breed appeared in the Spring 2020 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!