Arabian Horses

As the name suggests, the origin of Arabian Horses lies on the Arabian Peninsula. However, among Arabian Horses, there are different breed groups such as purebred or half-bred Arabs and Shagya or Anglo-Arabs. They look different but share some common characteristics. Generally, Arabian Horses are spirited, enduring, and willing to work, but also sensitive and human-oriented. This makes them very popular as leisure horses. They are well-suited for longer trail rides and distances. High temperatures and humidity pose no problem for Arabs, as they served as mounts for the Bedouins for many hundreds of years and thus adapted to the hot climate, uneven terrain, and scarce food.

Arabian Thoroughbred

The Arabian Thoroughbreds (or Thoroughbred Arabs) represent the oldest horse breed in the world. They are the pure form of the Arabian Horse. For every Arabian Thoroughbred, the pedigree can be traced back to the desert breeding of the Bedouins on the Arabian Peninsula. The distinguishing features of Thoroughbred Arabs are the small head with large eyes and nostrils, the broad forehead, and the high tail. Despite their small but characteristic height of 140 to 156 centimeters, they are considered horses.

Arabian Horses in Oman

Arabian Horses were the great passion of Sultan Qaboos ibn Said, the former head of state of Oman. He owned nearly 1000 Arabian Thoroughbreds, making the world’s largest mounted army, his “Royal Cavalry.” Arabian Thoroughbreds are regarded as one of the most beautiful horse breeds in the world. In the Orient, they serve as a status symbol and are a sign of power and grandeur. The horses receive a very special treatment. They are housed in the finest stables and receive first-class, individual care. They mean a great deal to the Sultan, which is why their breeding is state-sponsored. Sultan Qaboos wanted to ensure that these special horses were not reserved only for the wealthy, but also enabled lower social classes to breed Arabian Horses.