Arabian horse: description of thoroughbred horses and care rules, cost

About 2 thousand years ago, a horse breed was bred in the Middle East, which had a huge impact on horse breeding around the world. The extraordinary stature and agility of Arabian horses have made them the most attractive and expensive pets from the 10th century to the present. Thanks to crossing, new European breeds were bred.

Origin of view and legend

The ancestors of Arabian horses were wild horses that lived on the Arabian Peninsula. Nomadic tribes waged continuous wars. In conditions of semi-deserts and deserts, war horses with a certain set of quality characteristics were needed.

"Arabs" should have been:

hardy;
easy to train;
unpretentious;
frisky.

The formation of the breed was influenced by the climate and the selection requirements of the nomads. Thoroughbred horses were the main we alth of the Arabians. Initially, there were 5 types in the breed, the origin of which explains the myth of Muhammad. The Prophet was driving a herd of horses through the desert. Seeing the oasis, he let them go to a watering place, but, not allowing them to drink, called them to him. Obedient turned out to be 5 mares, which Muhammad left for breeding (Al-Khamsa, or five). According to another legend, Allah created a horse from the south wind, and the Bedouins called it Drinking Wind.

Advantages and disadvantages of the breed

The advantages of the "Arabs" are in the harmonious physical development. Hardy, strong, frisky, beautiful, they can be used as working horses, for riding, sports. Excellent he alth is inherent in them by nature: heat and dry air do not affect performance.

Prolonged contact with humans has developed memory, intelligence in animals, formed a friendly and docile character with a hot temperament.

The lack of "Arabs" include low growth. Light, compact horses are inferior in speed to thoroughbred riding horses.

Full description and exterior

The arid climate of the Arabian Peninsula, sandy soil left their mark on the physical condition of the Arabian horses: physique, hoof structure. Characteristic features of the breed in question:

small stature (154/164 centimeters at the withers mare/stallion);
roast cereals;
broad-breasted;
long neck;
strong-boned;
with strong hooves;
with a raised spoke;
life expectancy up to 30 years;
agility in all types of canter;
graceful movements during the race;
the ability of mares to reproduce for a long time.

On the picturesquely curved neck is a small square head with small ears, bulging, expressive eyes, a slightly concave bridge of the nose. The body is rounded. Croup straight, elongated.

Varieties and suits

Arab horses are classified into 4 intrabreed types:

Siglavi. Graceful horses, with pronounced signs of the breed. The predominant suit is gray.
Coheilan. Broad-chested, with massive bones, very hardy, frisky. Suit - bay or red.
Hadban. Strong horses with a simple exterior, distinguished by agility and high performance.
Koheilan-siglavi. Horses resembling siglavi in appearance, but taller and wider in bone. There are bay, red, gray suit.

Crossing "Arabs" with purebred riding representatives of the breed (English) gives offspring that combines the best qualities of both breeds:

higher and stronger than "Arab";
smarter in appearance than "Englishman";
endurance and perseverance of the Arabian;
the agility and versatility of the "Englishman".

The Anglo-Arab horse is not a separate breed, but is a kind of half-breed. When breeding, it is necessary to fulfill the only requirement: at least 25% of Arab blood in the offspring.

Features of character and lifestyle

Long, close contact with humans influenced the mental development of animals, formed a special character. They are smart and kind. For a Bedouin, a horse is not a functional animal, but a friend who will not leave you in trouble, under whose supervision you can leave a child.

The Bedouins kept their favorite horses in their tent at night to protect them from the night cold. On campaigns, in the absence of food, they gave the horses dates and camel milk.

Where is the Arabian breed used?

Arab horses, due to their agility, jumping ability, endurance, are used as race and riding. These are animals created for sports, hunting fun, equestrian tourism.

Rules for keeping animals

Arab horses do not require special conditions of keeping, as they are genetically strong and hardy animals. But, given the cost of thoroughbred horses, the organization of care and maintenance should be at the highest level.

Arrangement of the stable

In a well-ventilated room, a constant temperature should be maintained, in the range of +5 … +15 degrees, with an air humidity of 50-60%.Feeders are placed 1 meter from the floor. The depth of the pallet is 0.5 meters. Ceiling height - 3-3.5 meters. Windows are placed at a height of at least 2 meters. The stall should be spacious.

The floor in the stall is made of concrete with clay and lined with a layer of sawdust and straw (10-20 centimeters). The bedding is sprinkled daily. Once every 7 days it is completely changed, the floor is washed and dried without animals.

Feeding and watering

The feeder should contain food necessary to satisfy hunger, and chewing gum. Water is given before feeding 4-5 times a day. The temperature of the drink is +15 degrees. Consumption rate - 50 liters per day in hot weather, 30 liters - in the cold season. After active physical activity, the horse is allowed to water no earlier than 30 minutes later. Training, performance at competitions should begin one hour after eating.

New foods are introduced gradually, over 2 weeks, so that the digestive system has time to rebuild.

Basic diet

The basis of horse nutrition is fresh alfalfa hay, wheat, oats. Daily consumption rates (kilograms):

hay - 5, divided into 5 portions throughout the day;
wheat - 5;
oats - 5 (7 for sport horses).

Additionally give 1 kilogram of bran (wheat/oat), steamed flaxseed.

Food supplements

Fresh vegetables and fruits are introduced into the diet as a source of fiber. Yeast is used to digest fiber. It is necessary to include fish oil, vegetable oil in the diet. Sports horses get more protein from legumes.

Body and mane care

Arabians have thin skin. You should not wash the horse at an air temperature below 15 degrees Celsius, so as not to cause hypothermia and pneumonia.In the warm season, the animal is washed every day. To clean wool, use a tool made of natural hair, whalebone, rubber, plastic. The dirt is cleaned with scrapers, then the wool is processed with brushes, starting from the neck to the back, going down to the sides, stomach, legs.

The torso, neck and legs are washed with a sponge, then dried with velvet. Wash the muzzle with another sponge, wipe dry. Wash the mane with bangs and tail with a special shampoo, comb with a wooden comb. Hooves are cleaned with a hook. At the end of the procedure, a vacuum cleaner is used for final drying.

Grazing

Arab horses require 2 daily walks. Pens should be placed next to the stables and have fences. At temperatures below 15 degrees, walk time is limited or carried out at a high pace.

Horseshoe

The type of horseshoe depends on the season and destination. It can be a universal horseshoe, orthopedic (for racing), studded (winter).

Disease prevention measures

One of the signs of improper nutrition of Arabian horses is gastric colic. For their prevention, it is necessary to give fresh, high-quality food, with a sufficient amount of fiber. New complementary foods are introduced into the diet within 2 weeks. From tetanus, depriving, rabies, anthrax, influenza at a certain age, vaccinations are made. Every six months, blood is taken for analysis of glanders, anemia, leptospirosis.

Specific breeding

"Arabs" are bred as a riding breed in order to:

further sale of young animals;
participation in competitions and contests;
for horse rides.

When breeding Arabian horses for profit (sale), herd keeping is recommended.

The herd content has a beneficial effect on young horses. They grow stronger, more efficient than alone.

Grooming staff are selected from people who have the ability to communicate with large pets, positively perceive the requirements of the breeder / owner for care. To train an Arabian horse, you need an experienced trainer, with a strong and firm character.

Interesting facts about Arabian horses

The Crusaders brought Arabian horses to Europe. Thanks to horses from the East, riding, draft breeds, heavy trucks were bred:

English riding;
Barbary;
Andalusian;
lusitano;
Orlov trotters;
Terskaya;
percheron.

In Russia, Arabian horses appeared during the reign of John IV (the Terrible). Crossbreeding of oriental horses with local breeds has improved the exterior and physical performance of such breeds as the Don and Kabardian.After 300 years in the Russian Empire, 50 stud farms were engaged in the selection of combat and hunting horses, where Arabian stallions were producers. The most famous is the Tersky stud farm of Count Stroganov.

In the 30s of the XX century, breeding work was continued at the stud farms of the USSR by acquiring livestock in European countries. It became the basis for the formation of a new type of horse: the "Russian Arab". According to the exterior, they were high-bred horses of the Siglavi type, but with a higher working capacity.

The stallion Aswan, a gift from the President of Egypt, G. A. Nasser, to the Soviet Union for the construction of the Aswan Dam, became an outstanding sire. Foals from Aswan became the "golden fund" of the Arab horse breeding: 150 heads were sold at international auctions, 100 (70 mares and 30 stallions) were used for breeding. In the next 20 years, horses born in Russia gained worldwide recognition thanks to victories at major international competitions and exhibitions.The most expensive "Russian Arab" was sold for $5 million.

Cost

The unique qualities of purebred Arabian horses have made them the most sought-after breed for breeding and selection work. At international auctions, the cost of one "Arab" can reach several million dollars. The highest price was paid for the stallion Padron: $11 million.

The cost of a thoroughbred horse depends on:

from pedigree;
parental achievements;
manufacturer reputation;
her he alth and condition.

The lowest price of an Arabian horse is 50,000 euros.