Black Arabian Horses

Black Arabian horses are well-known since ancient times for their endurance, grace and beauty. The Arabian horse is probably the oldest horse breed. Its exact origin is still unknown. Scientists believe that the ancestors of these horses were wild animals inhabiting the modern Turkey, Iraq and Siria and domesticated around 2500 B.C. Many breeds of domesticated animals come from this area called the Fertile Crescent. Other theory insists that Arabian horses appeared in Egypt. No matter where these horses came from, they were improved to perfection by the Bedouins. Isolation and harsh conditions of the Middle East helped create a very versatile and endurable horse.

Black Arabian horses were very valued by the Bedouins who lived in oases and had to travel in the desert. The original purpose of the Arabian horses was participating in wars. Trade and communication with other countries was also performed with the aid of these horses. Without Arabian horses, there would have been no life in the Arabian deserts. Some nomadic tribes depend on their horses up to nowadays. It’s interesting that Arabian horses almost never escape. They stick to the owner, as it’s impossible for them to survive in the desert without man. The most valuable features of the breed are large lung capacity, intelligence and devotion to humans.

The role of the black Arabian horses in the Arabian culture is difficult to overestimate. Moslems believe that these horses were the gift of Allah and treat them accordingly. Bedouins never eat horse meat and even milk. Whipping cannot be used to encourage a horse of this breed. Even the slightest mixture of foreign blood spoils the purity of the Allah’s gift, that’s why every Moslem owner protects Arabian horses from crossbreeding with other horses. Up to nowadays, Arabian horses are considered a luxury; owning them is no more a necessity, but a matter of prestige.

Unstable political situation in Arabian countries became detrimental to the population of Arabian horses. Today, the main leader in Arabian horse production is the USA, which produces about half of the world’s population. Over 60 countries have better breeding stock that that found in the Arabian horse’ place of origin. The purity of the breed is maintained not by religious believes, but by the WAHO (World Arabian Horse Organization). Only the best representatives of the breed are used to produce Arabian horses. Black Arabian horses of today are the same as those bred four thousand years ago.