How To Choose an Arabian Horse

The Arabian horse is among the oldest horse breeds in existence.  The Arabian is a strong and beautiful breed which traces its roots to the Middle East. Characterized by its overall fine features, distinctive concave profile, high tail carriage and arched neck, the Arabian is well-liked for its good-natured temperament and willingness to learn. They are highly intelligent animals who like being around humans and are eager to please.

Arabians are a strong and sturdy breed of horse, averaging between 14 and 15 hands high and known for their ability to endure even heavy riders for long distances without losing their spirit or their stamina. Most Arabians in America today are owned for recreational riding pleasure.

It's important to deal with reputable horse traders when purchasing an Arabian horse because you want to be sure that the paperwork certifying your horse is completely in order, with no outstanding signatures.  If a farm is too eager to sell you an animal without waiting for you to make a call to the Arabian Horse Association to verify that the horse's paperwork is in order, don't complete the deal.

Purebred Arabian horses have coat colors ranging from bay and black to gray, chestnut and roan. The skin color of any Arabian horse is black, a characteristic developed centuries ago to protect the animal from the hot desert sun. Arabians that appear to have a white coat are actually gray.

When visiting an Arabian horse farm to consider the purchase of one of these gorgeous steeds, take your time to get to know any horse under consideration. Look for wide-set eyes and a broad, full flat head. Be sure the nostrils are flared, an important Arabian trait as well as necessary for their health. The muzzle and lips should be firm, with no sagging of the lower lip. It's an excellent idea to have a veterinarian check over any Arabian you've fallen in love with prior to signing a sales contract in order to detect any hidden health challenges or physical flaws.

Unless you are willing to invest hours of time in training a young horse, it's best to purchase an Arabian that is at least six years old.  Older horses, however, come with their own set of problems - for example, some of them have learned bad habits or behavior.

Because an Arabian truly becomes a person's companion, visit any prospective purchase several times prior to making a final decision to get a really good sense of the horse's personality and how well it meshes with yours.