Posts Tagged ‘arabian horses’

Early on in the history of the Arabian horse’s arrival to America, the newly formed Arabian Horse Registry wanted a way to promote the horse in the United States. The directors of the Arabian Registry determined the best way of doing this was to get the Army interested in using and breeding Arabian horses. This was a substantial investment by the Arabian Registry because it took a lot of time, money and energy to prove to the Army and their cavalry majors that Arabian horses made the best cavalry horses.

In 1908, the Army had established the U.S. Remount Service, a horse cavalry unit. Its goal was to supply hundreds of thousands of horses for military use. To get the U.S Remount Service interested in Arabians, W.R. Brown, president of the Arabian Horse Registry at the time, organized the first Cavalry Endurance Ride in 1919. With a high regard for purebred Arabians overseas and their growing popularity in America, this was a perfect time to convince the government and the Army’s Remount Service to breed them. Unfortunately, there were only 362 registered Arabians in the country in 1919. With so few Arabians, it was not an easy task to find enough of them to adequately represent the breed in the endurance ride. Even with this challenge, the Arabian horses made a superior showing, taking most of the prizes including first place in the endurance ride. W.R. Brown won first place on his purebred Arabian mare named Ramla #347. She carried 200 pounds during the ride.

The second Calvary Endurance Ride took place in 1920 and this time, the U.S. Remount Service was much more involved. The weight carried by the horses was increased from 200 pounds to 245 bounds. The horses traveled sixty miles a day for 5 days with a minimum time of 9 hours each day. The Arabian horses fared well again as they had the highest average points of any breed entered. This time, however, a grade Thoroughbred that was entered by the Army took first place.

Albert Harris, the Arabian Horse Registry Director from 1924 to 1949, believed that the Thoroughbred Jockey Club gave the Army $50,000 in 1921 so that they could purchase the best Thoroughbreds they could find in hopes of beating the purebred Arabians entered in the 1921 endurance ride. Mr. Harris wrote:

“With two endurance rides to the credit of Arabian horses in 1919 and 1920, the U.S. Remount, and incidentally the Jockey Club, felt something had to be done to beat these little horses in the next ride…”.

The Army purchased several grade Thoroughbreds and planned to have Cavalry majors ride them. The Army also wanted the carried weight limit reduced back to 200 pounds. Since the Arabians had proven their mettle at 245 pounds, the Arabian Registry objected. Eventually, a the two sides compromised at 225 pounds.

In spite of the Army’s efforts to have their grade Thoroughbreds beat out the Registry’s Arabian horses, the first prize in the 1921 Cavalry Endurance Ride went to W.R. Brown’s purebred Arabian gelding, Crabbet #309. W.R. Brown, with his Anglo-Arab gelding named Gouya, won the trophy for the third time in 1923.

W.R. Brown (and the Arabian Registry) had won the Calvary Endurance Ride three times with their Arabian horses. At that point, Mr. Brown gained permanent possession of the U.S. Mounted Service Cup. Albert Harris wrote in his history of the Arabian Horse Registry:

“… after 1923, the Arabian people decided not to enter their horses in the ride. This was done “so that the Army would have a chance of winning the cup the next time.”

Actually, there was one exception. The Arabian people allowed the U.S. Remount Service to enter an Arabian stallion, El Sabok #276, in the 1925 endurance ride. The stallion ended up taking first place but he was not awarded the trophy because of a small welt raised under the cantle (projecting rear part) of his saddle. The U.S. Department of Animal Husbandry noted, though, that of all stallions of various breeds entered in all of the rides, El Sabok was the first and only one to finish a ride.

Fully convinced that Arabian horses had tremendous endurance, the Army planned to develop a supply of saddle horses that could be called to service if needed. Since Arabian horses were scarce at the time and difficult to obtain, the Army’s breeding program didn’t really get off the ground until 1941. This is when the Arabian Horse Registry directors decided to donate the nucleus of an Arabian stud to the U.S. Remount. Each director and Mr. W.K. Kellogg (of the Kellogg cereal company) personally donated one or more horses. A total of one stallion, seven broodmares (six in foal), one suckling filly, and three two-year-old fillies were placed at the Fort Robinson Remount Depot in Fort Robinson, Nebraska.

By 1943, the number of Arabian horses the Army owned was second only to the number of Thoroughbreds they owned. Later that same year, W.K. Kellogg (an Arabian Horse Registry Director from 1927 to 1940) and Albert Harris, helped the U.S. Remount Service gain possession of Mr. Kellogg’s Arabian stud in Pomona California. The stud was originally given to the state of California, but with World War II heating up, the U.S. Remount Service felt they had a need for it. In October of 1943, Mr. Kellogg was successful in getting the California Board of Regents to turn over the Arabian Ranch (and 97 purebred Arabian horses) to the U.S. Army for use as a remount station. The ranch was owned by the War Department from 1943-1948 and was known as the Pomona Quartermaster Depot (Remount).

Later in 1948, the Army decided to dispose of all its horse operations to the highest bidder. In June of 1949, President Harry S. Truman signed a bill which transferred the ranch back to the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. On July 2 of that same year, the California Legislature passed Assembly Concurrent Resolution No.100 which favored the transfer of the ranch from the Kellogg Foundation to the California Polytechnic College. To this day, the school continues to maintain a prestigious Arabian breeding program. As warfare has become more technological, the Arabian horse has made its transition from the Army to being used in various equine sport activities and an endeared equine to horse enthusiasts and families.

Randy Meyer, along with his family, are well-respected breeders of high-quality, beautiful purebred Arabian horses on their farm, Red Oak Arabians. They usually have fine quality Arabian horses for sale at all times.

Author: Randy Meyer
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Pressure cooker

Arabian horses are one of the oldest human-developed horse breeds in the world. Rock paintings and inscriptions about these horses have been found in the Arabian Peninsula dating back to 2,500 B.C. Bedouin tribes, responsible for domesticating the Arabian horse, kept meticulous ancestral records and they trace their common history with these horses back to 3000 B.C.

The Arabian horse, or the prototype of what we know today as the Arabian horse, is somewhat smaller than his counterpart today. Otherwise, the Arabian has remained essentially unchanged through the centuries, maintaining the qualities that the Bedouins depended on in the harsh deserts thousands of years ago.

Some experts have questioned the origin of the Arabian breed of horse. They argue that the ancestral Arabian was likely a wild horse from an area that encapsulates southern Turkey, Northern Syria, and possibly the Piedmont regions to the east. This area, the northern edge of the Fertile Crescent, provided enough of a mild climate and rain to be a suitable environment for horses. It comprises part of Iraq and runs along the Euphrates River and west across Sinai and along the coast to Egypt. The majority of historians believe the Arabian horse breed originated in the southwestern part of Arabia. They offer supporting evidence that the three great river beds in this area provided natural wild pastures for the horses to live and thrive. This area in southwestern Arabia would have been central to where the undomesticated Arabian horse made first contact with early human inhabitants.

The interior of the Arabian peninsula has been dry for approximately 10,000 years. It would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the Arabian horses to survive and exist in such an arid land without the aid of man. Around 3,500 B.C., the nomadic inhabitants of desert regions, the Bedouins, domesticated the camel and used them as a means of transport and sustenance. Armed with the ability to survive the perils of life in the desert, they ventured into the central and southern portions of Arabia around 2,500 B.C. It is during this time that they took with them the ancestor of the modern Arabian horse.

Experts do agree that the Arabian is a unique breed of horses and remains very pure, even to this day. History doesn’t really tell us the country where the horse was first domesticated. As it became domesticated, though, the Arabian horse was probably used for work and riding. By 1500 B.C., the people in the region had gained a great mastery over these beautiful and intelligent horses.

The Arabian horse and its transcendent beauty have appeared throughout history:

• On seal rings, various monuments, and stone pillars with regularity after the 16th century B.C.
• The horse’s high regard is shown in a number of Egyptian hieroglyphics.
• The Old Testament in the bible is filled with references to the Arabian horse’s strength and might. For instance, King Solomon, some 900 years B.C., praised the beauty of “a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots”.
• In 490 B.C., the famous Greek horsemen, Xinophon, called them a noble animal whose beauty fascinates both young and old.

So where did the namesake, “Arabian” breed of horses, come from? The origin of the name is still obscure. The word Arab is often linked with nomadism and it gets connected with two Hebrew words: Arabha (dark land) and Erebh, (mixed). Since a nomadic lifestyle was organized but not ordered, unlike sedentary communities, the word Arab can also be linked to the Hebrew root, Abhar (to move or pass). The word “Arab”, is a Semitic word meaning “desert” or the inhabitant thereof, with no reference to nationality. In the Koran, a’rab is used for the nomadic Bedouin people who lived in the desert. The first Biblical use of the word as a proper name occurs in Jeremiah 25:24: “Kings of Arabia”. Jeremiah lived between 626 and 586 B.C. The Arabs themselves used the word at an early date to distinguish the Bedouin people from the Arabic-speaking people who lived in towns.

This exquisite and amazingly intelligent horse flourished in a close co-existence with the Bedouins and they reached the zenith of fame as the horse of the “Arabas”. The Bedouins were fanatic about keeping the blood of the Arabian horses absolutely pure. They accomplished this through line-breeding and inbreeding. This ensured the particularly prized distinguishing characteristics and qualities of the Arabian horse. Essentially, the horse became the Bedouin’s most treasured possession. With the harsh desert climate, only the strongest and most spirited of these horses survived, giving us the amazing physical characteristics of the breed that we see today.

Randy Meyer, along with his family, are well-respected breeders of high-quality, beautiful purebred Arabian horses on their farm, Red Oak Arabians. They emphasize honesty, integrity and usually have fine quality Arabian horses for sale at all times.

Author: Randy Meyer
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Electric Pressure Cooker

Few breeds of horse have captured the imagination like the Arabian horse has. Since the dawn of history, Arabian horses have inspired and influenced many people.

In the days of early history, Arabian horses were prized as warhorses and mounts for royalty. The Old Testament in the Bible contains many references and descriptions to these horses, the most notable being in the book of Job, where a horse “rejoices in his strength” and “is not frightened – he devours the distance with fierceness.”

Artwork of the time depicts these chariot horses with many of the physical attributes of modern Arabian horses, such as the dished face and high-set tail. The most prized warhorses were bred in Egypt, and it was indicative of the great wealth of King Solomon that he built entire cities to house Egyptian-bred warhorses and their handlers. These attributes of courage and speed are still prized in Arab horses today.

Arising much later, Islamic legend recounts how Allah made the first Arab horse from the four winds (or the south wind, depending on which version of the myth the teller uses), gifting it and all Arabian horses with “flight without wings” and naming it, “Lord of the other animals” and one of the “Glories of the Earth.”

The Bedouin people in particular bred Arabian horses with great care for the purity of the bloodline, which they called Asil. They took this purity of the blood so seriously that if a mare was ever bred to a non-asil stallion, both she and all future offspring would be “contaminated.”

Legend has it that the Asil strain are descended from the five favourite mares of the prophet Mohammed. It is ironic today that some Bedouin-bred Arabian horses are not considered or registered as purebreds, because the breeders do not see the need for paperwork to guarantee a horse’s breeding and do not register their horses.

Arab horses have also played a vital role in the development of Thoroughbred racehorses. All modern Thoroughbreds can trace their ancestry back to one of three founding Arabian stallions, known as the Byerly Turk, the Darley Arabian and the Godolphin Barb (“Turk” and “Barb” were synonymous with “Arabian” at that time).

Arabian horses today are creatures of great beauty. Although they are not tall horses – some measure only 14 hands – they are never called ponies, even though they technically fall into this definition. The distinctive features of the breed are the dished or concave face (as opposed to the more Roman nose of, for example, the Shire horse), the flowing high-set tail, the large expressive eyes and a dark skin colour. The most common colours for an Arabian horse are grey (which includes white), chestnut and bay. Black is a rare color, though not completely unheard of.

It may have been a more common colour in antiquity; the Old Testament lists black horses alongside “white”, “red” and “dappled.” Arab horses are surprisingly strong and tough for their size, and these qualities mean that they are popular choices when breeding cross-breeds.

There is very little work that the Arabian horse cannot do. Their powers of stamina make them very suitable for endurance work. Their intelligence and beauty gives them a competitive edge in the show ring, and for show jumping and eventing. Speed makes the Arab horse an excellent racer – their role in developing the Thoroughbred has already been mentioned.

Intelligence also makes Arab horses suitable for stock work – one modern tale tells of how the owner of an Arabian stock horse was mocked by fellow-workers because of his “fancy show-pony” until they saw just what the horse could do. And as they have a willingness to please and a great capacity for affection – a result of millennia of close contact with humans – Arab horses are popular as pleasure horses and companion animals.

For more information on horses, try visiting http://www.interestinghorses.com – a website that specializes in providing horse related tips, advice and resources including information on arabian horse.

Author: Samantha Davis
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

Arabian horses are known for large nostrils. Aside from the teacup arabian, why are they so big? Is it just that they have small noses which makes them appear to have large nostrils, or is it big with big nostrils? Anything that you know about conformation of the nose of an Arabian horse is helpful. Thank you!

The planned mating of horses that is directed by humans has given rise to a number of special breeds of horses. Breeders, the persons who help facilitate healthy horse breeding, seek to bring about an enhancement in the physical performance abilities of the offspring or foal even more than improving their appearance. This matching of ‘form to function’ is a successful means of development of different healthy and (functionally) superior breeds.

People from all over the world have owned horses for various reasons. This is just the reason why various breeds of horses had been developed over the years to provide improved efficiency at particular tasks. Horses can now be classified into three main categories- pony, light and heavy. There can, however, be created further subcategories like draft horses, gaited horses and warmbloods.

It is by learning about these various breeds that an idea can be formed on the kind of horse best suited for a situation and a particular type of work. Some horses are best suited for children to ride on them while some are right for the whole family’s riding purpose. Again, some other horses may be appropriate for racing- the race horses while some others may prove to be helpful on the ranch.

There are a number of popular breeds of ponies the smallest among which is the Shetland pony which is given to children as their first horse to ride on. For older children the Connemara pony is recommended. This being larger than the Shetland is suitable for older children. The Welsh pony little larger than the Connemara is a good breed of horse for young adults and young teens to ride on.

Among the light breeds of horses feature the Miniature Horses. Though this may seem like a pony but it is not actually one. It does not have the characteristics of the pony. This horse serves as a companion for children and also acts as a guide for the disabled. The adored Arabian horses also come into the category of light horses. These are attractive, loving, graceful and speedy horses. The Arabian horse is perceived to be a perfect breed. Not only does it possess the required speed and endurance for racing but it also has got a kind and noble disposition.

The popular light breed horse Thoroughbred is a descendant of the Arabian horse. This being a fast horse is well suited for racing purposes. For ranching a Quarter Horse, an American breed, is most appropriate. The Morgan Horse, a family friendly and hardworking horse is another smaller but useful horse.

Besides these there are also the heavy breeds or heavy horses which include the draft horses or the horses that were used in battle at a time. The Percheron is a small and powerful heavy horse which is easier to train while the attractive Clydesdale is the most famous of the draft horses which were bred to work on farms or pull carts and wagons.

Author: Tania Penwell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Latest trends in mobile phone

The Arabian horse is an animal which has lived on the Arabian Peninsula for well over 2000 years.

Strength, beauty and endurance are typical traits of this breed of horse. Studies have show that Arabian horses are amongst the oldest breeds discovered in the world.

The Bedouin people are thought to be the first to train the Arabian horse. Bedouin people took the ancestry of these breeds very seriously and could back date the lineages of the horses they owned. At these times it was crucial to have a dependable horse that was quick, brave and strong. It also had to be capable of surviving in the desert environment. The Bedouin tribes were constantly at war with other tribes in the region, and it was necessary to have a horse which could lead them into battle.

Some of the most impressive horses ever were bred by the Bedouins. Information regarding the horses’ linegeage and ancestry was exchanged during the trade of this breed. There are a number of different variations of Arabian horses, which are known as strains. They are similar in appearance and share ancestry. Dahman, Hadban, Kuhaylan are some examples.

Arabian horses are said to be one of, if not the most recognised breeds in the world. Their heads are shaped like wedges, and they have large eyes and a small muzzle. Some of the most sought after Arabian horses are the ones with concave shaped noses. An Arab neckline should be arched, and they have toned muscular legs. Their coats should have a sheen, often referred to as being silk-like. Consequently, Arabian breeds are not often viewed at top end competitions due to their inadequate bascule in comparison to other breeds.

Typically, their coat is brown or grey although it is not unusual for some Arabian horses to have black coats. Arabian horses with black coats were rare, because in the desert they would absorb heat, and this would be dangerous. Arabian genes are so pure, they are commonly used in enhancing other breeds characteristics. Arabian horses are very well mannered, an attribute breeders find very attractive.

Professional horse competitions have used Arabian horses for a great deal of time, and there are even competitions each year between Arabian horses and there owners.

For more information, Arabian Horses for sale and more, please visit the Horse and Pony Directory

The planned mating of horses that is directed by humans has given rise to a number of special breeds of horses. Breeders, the persons who help facilitate healthy horse breeding, seek to bring about an enhancement in the physical performance abilities of the offspring or foal even more than improving their appearance. This matching of ‘form to function’ is a successful means of development of different healthy and (functionally) superior breeds.

People from all over the world have owned horses for various reasons. This is just the reason why various breeds of horses had been developed over the years to provide improved efficiency at particular tasks. Horses can now be classified into three main categories- pony, light and heavy. There can, however, be created further subcategories like draft horses, gaited horses and warmbloods.

It is by learning about these various breeds that an idea can be formed on the kind of horse best suited for a situation and a particular type of work. Some horses are best suited for children to ride on them while some are right for the whole family’s riding purpose. Again, some other horses may be appropriate for racing- the race horses while some others may prove to be helpful on the ranch.

There are a number of popular breeds of ponies the smallest among which is the Shetland pony which is given to children as their first horse to ride on. For older children the Connemara pony is recommended. This being larger than the Shetland is suitable for older children. The Welsh pony little larger than the Connemara is a good breed of horse for young adults and young teens to ride on.

Among the light horse breeds are the Miniature Horses. Though this may seem like a pony but it is not actually one. It does not have the characteristics of the pony. This horse serves as a companion for children and also acts as a guide for the disabled. The adored Arabian horses also come into the category of light horses. These are attractive, loving, graceful and speedy horses. The Arabian horse is perceived to be a perfect breed. Not only does it possess the required speed and endurance for racing but it also has got a kind and noble disposition.

The popular light breed horse Thoroughbred is a descendant of the Arabian horse. This being a fast horse is well suited for racing purposes. For ranching a Quarter Horse, an American breed, is most appropriate.  The Morgan Horse, a family friendly and hardworking horse is another smaller but useful horse.

Besides these there are also the heavy breeds or heavy horses which include the draft horses or the horses that were used in battle at a time. The Percheron is a small and powerful heavy horse which is easier to train while the attractive Clydesdale is the most famous of the draft horses which were bred to work on farms or pull carts and wagons.