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Somewhere in the inhospitable deserts of the Middle East, centuries
ago, a breed of horse came into being that would influence the
equine world beyond all imagination. In the sweet grass oasis along
the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers in the countries that are now known
as Syria, Iraq and Iran, and in other parts of the Arabia peninsula,
this hearty horse developed and would soon be known as the Arabian
horse.
To the Islamic people, he was considered a gift from Allah,
to be revered, cherished and almost worshipped. Long before
Europeans were to become aware of its existence, the horse of the
desert had established itself as a necessity for survival of the
Bedouin people (nomadic inhabitants of the Middle East desert
region). The headmen of the tribes could relate the verbal histories
of each family of horse in his tribe as well as he could each family
of Bedouin. The mythology and romance of the breed grew with each
passing century as stories of courage, endurance and wealth
intermingled with the |
| The Arabian
horse dates back 4,500 years and is known for intelligence, high
spirit, and outstanding stamina.. American colonists from England
brought these horses to American in the early 1700s. |
The Arabian horse is a breed of horse with a reputation
for intelligence, high spirit, and outstanding stamina. With a
distinctively chiseled head and high tail carriage, the Arabian is
one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world.
Arabians are one of the oldest horse breeds in the world. There
is archaeological evidence of horses that resemble modern Arabians
dating back 4,500 years. Throughout history, Arabian horses from the
Middle East spread around the world by both war and trade, used to
improve other breeds by adding speed, refinement, endurance, and
good bone. Today, Arabian bloodlines are found in almost every
modern breed of riding horse.
appeared in rock paintings and inscriptions in the Arabian
Peninsula as far back as 2,500 B.C
"The Versatile Arabian" is a slogan of the breed. Arabians
compete today in many fields of equestrian activity, making it one
of the top ten most popular horse breeds in the world. Arabian
horses are now found worldwide, including the United States and
Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, continental Europe, South
America (especially Brazil), and its land of origin, the Middle
East.
American colonists from England also brought horses of
Arabian breeding to the eastern seaboard. One example was Nathaniel
Harrison, who imported a horse of Arabian, Barb and Turkish ancestry
to America in 1747.
The first horses on the American mainland since the end of the
Ice Age arrived with the Spanish Conquistadors. Hernán Cortés
brought 16 horses of Andalusian, Barb, and Arabian ancestry with him
to Mexico in 1519. Others followed, such as Francisco Vásquez de
Coronado, who brought 250 horses of similar breeding to America in
1540. More horses followed with each new arrival of Conquistadors or
settlers. Many horses escaped, becoming the foundation stock of the
American Mustang.
George Washington rode a gray half-Arabian horse named "Blueskin"
during the Revolutionary War. The horse was sired by the stallion
"Ranger," also known as "Lindsay's Arabian," said to have been
obtained from the Sultan of Morocco. Other Presidents are
linked to ownership of Arabian horses. In 1840, President Martin Van
Buren received two Arabians from the Sultan of Oman, and in 1877,
President Ulysses S. Grant obtained two Arabian stallions, Leopard
and Linden Tree, as diplomatic gifts from the Sultan of
Turkey.[36] |
The Arabian horse was
primarily an instrument of war, as were horses in general in most
societies of the time. A well-mounted Bedouin could attack an enemy
tribe and capture their herds of sheep, camels and goats, adding to
the wealth of their own tribe. Such a raid was only successful if
the aggressors could attack with surprise and speed and make good
their escape. Mares were the best mounts for raiding parties, as
they would not nicker to the enemy tribe's horses, warning of their
approach. The best war mares exhibited great courage in battle,
taking the charges and the spear thrusts without giving ground.
Speed and endurance were essential as well, for the raids were often
carried out far from the home camp, family and children.
The Bedouin people could be as
hospitable as they were war like. If a desert traveler touched their
tent pole, they were obligated to provide for this "guest," his
entourage and animals for up to three days without request for
payment. A welcome guest would find his mare's bridle hung from the
center pole of his host’s tent to indicate his status. In this way,
tribes that were often at war would meet and, with great
hospitality, break bread and share stories of their bravest and
fastest horses.
Races were held with the winner
taking the best of the loser’s herd as their prize. Breeding stock
could be bought and sold, but as a rule, the war mares carried no
price. If indeed they changed hands it would be as a most honored
gift. Through the centuries the tribes who roamed the northern
desert in what is now Syria became the most esteemed breeders of
fine horses. No greater gift could be given than an Arabian mare.
As the world slowly shrank due to
increasing travel abroad, the Turkish rulers of the Ottoman Empire
began to send gifts of Arabian horses to European heads of state.
Such was the nature of The Godolphin Arabian (sometimes called
"Barb") imported to England in 1730 as well as The Byerley Turk
(1683) and the Darley Arabian (1703). These three "Eastern"
stallions formed the foundation upon which a new breed, the
Thoroughbred, was to be built. Today 93% of all modern thoroughbreds
can be traced to these three sires. By direct infusion, and through
the blood of the thoroughbred, the Arabian has contributed, to some
degree to all our light breeds of horses. |
| Between 1683 and 1730 a
revolution in horse breeding occurred when three Arabian stallions
were imported to England. America was built by
utilizing horsepower and colonists were quick to realize the value
of Arabian bloodstock. Nathan Harrison of Virginia imported the
first Arabian stallion in 1725. This horse reportedly sired 300
foals from grade mares. The first breeder of consequence, however,
was A. Keene Richard. He journeyed into the desert in 1853 and 1856,
subsequently importing several stallions and two mares. However, his
breeding program was ruptured by the Civil War and nothing survived.
In 1877, General Ulysses S. Grant
visited Abdul Hamid II, His Imperial Majesty the Sultan of Turkey.
There, he was presented with two stallions from the Sultan's stable,
Leopard and Lindentree. Leopard was later given to Randolph
Huntington who subsequently imported two mares and two stallions in
1888 from England. This program, limited as it was, must be
considered as the first purebred Arabian breeding program in the
United States. |
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