Arabian Stallions

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The Arabian, probably the first true domesticated breed, developed in Mesopotamia and N Africa and has served as parental stock for many other breeds , such as the American Saddlebred, Quarter Horse, Standarbred horse, the Orloff Trotter, Percheron and the Thoroughbred. Crossing with these and other light and draft breeds. As the oldest of all the light breeds and foundation stock of most, Arabian stallions hold a unique place in the world.

The Arabian breed is different in that it does not exist as a result of selective breeding, as were other modern light breeds, where it was necessary to establish a registry prior to the development of the breed, but is a breed that has been recognized for thousands of years and has been maintained and cherished in its purity over those years as much as is humanly possible.

Arabian Stallions of the world are the subject of myth, symbol of spirit and beauty beyond measure.

Domestic:
Arabians bred in the United States were never called "American Arabians," but have always been referred to as "Domestic." Heavily based on Crabbet, the Domestic Arabian is not too different from that of most Americans -- lots of English, with strains from other nations thrown in.

Crabbet Park Stud was based on the highest quality and purest of Bedouin stock and during the 93 years that the Stud operated, it produced many horses that were to go on and found other great studs. The Crabbet influence-either straight Crabbet breeding or Crabbet combined with outcrosses-dominated the American Arabian scene for the first six decades of the twentieth century and there were many famous Arabian stallions of this bloodline that established practical dynasties in America. It was not until the influx of Polish and Egyptian horses in the sixties that the focus of American breeding began to shift and widen.

Russian :
East Europeans became aware of the fiery, speedy Arabian breed during invasions of nomad tribesmen who spread north and west in their quest to spread the word of Mohammed. One of the long-term effects was the infusion of Arabian blood into the native horse population. Arabians were known to have been in Russia during the 17th century, bred by Tsars and noblemen. However, organized breeding was not really established until the late 1800's.

The Russians had a preference for racing types of horses, and the Arabians they purchased followed that pattern and through the years combinations were added of French, Crabbet and Polish lines.

Long before the later Russian horses were accepted, American breeders were using Russian lines - although they'd been imported from and were considered "Polish". From 1979 to present day the Russian Arabian stallions, mares and bloodlines have been highly prized in American. The goals of producing an animal that is not only pleasing to look at but extremely athletic has been the prime objective of the Russian breeding program. Their dedication to this ideal will most certainly continue to keep Russian bloodlines in high demand from breeders around the world.

Polish :
As early as the sixteenth century, writings mention the breeding of purebred Arabians in Poland. The Polish breeding program today is, as it always has been, based on its broodmares. There are many dam-lines in use, all dating back 100 to 150 years or more-some from the turn of the nineteenth century. Polish Arabian Stallions have been somewhat more diverse. In the early twentieth century, there were approximately 30 sire lines in use.

Americans tend to refer to Polish horses of intense refinement and beauty as "Seglawi" in type, while the more athletic ones are generally "Kuhailan." This is an oversimplification, as both terms refer to strains and there were many more strains than just those two. However, the program has always reflected the judicious mixture by breeders of tough, athletic characteristics with ethereal beauty and remembering the two types can help one keep track of the teams. Seglawi horses often come in grey, while Kuhailans are frequently bay.

Egyptian:
Evidence of the domestication of horses emerged in Syria, dating 2000 BC. In 1330 AD, the first pedigrees recorded referred to the Arabian by name. The Straight Egyptian is the blending of strains of pure, undisputed, desert heritage.

The reputation of the beautiful horses of Egypt found its way to America. Dedicated breeders of the Egyptian Arabian are committed to the preservation of this purest of all equine blood. To lose the purity of Egyptian Arabian Stallions or mares through careless breeding is a sin among them.

Reference to "Polish," "Russian" and "Spanish" Arabians refer to horses from breeding programs of those countries but the horses of Egypt have played an important part in their foundation. Many horses known as Crabbet Arabians carry an extremely high percentage of Egyptian blood in their pedigrees. Modern breeders have recently, rediscovered the value of crossing the blood from these other Arabian bloodlines with pure Egyptian blood and many of the most successful and sought after Arabian stallions in American are the results of the infusion of this blood.

Likewise, other breeds often choose to infuse Arabian blood to strengthen or add prepotent characteristics, refinement or endurance.

The purity of the Arabian horse has endured from the beginning of history. Gold has adorned their heads and they have walked on carpets of silk, slept in the tents of their owners and taken food before kings and pharaohs. Is the any wonder why the blood of Arabian Stallions, their fine quality and purity are so precious?

Read the Introductory page about Arabian Horse Shows, or read lists of specific Arabian- Half Arabian horse shows

The lovely photo at the top of the page Jolene Bertrand - Avalon Horse Show Photography