The Future of the Arabian Horse

By Rosemary Archer

Copyright 1992 - 1997 Silver Monarch Publishing.
All Rights Reserved

Before the first World War most Arabian stallions and many mares were ridden and used as riding horses, or for hunting, and some were also driven in harness. After the war the Arab Horse Society and other major shows in England included classes for ridden Arabians as well as for in-hand, and frequently stallions would be shown in both sections.

An outstanding example of a pure-bred stallion competing at this time was Sainfoin. His dam, Safarjal had been given by Lady Wentworth to Mrs. Musgrave Clark when in foal to Rasim, and Sainfoin was born at Courthouse Stud in 1923. His record at the AHS Annual Show of taking the Stallion Championship seven times between 1927 and 1936 and completing a double by also winning the ridden class three times, is unlikely ever to be beaten. In addition, Sainfoin won a 1-1/2 mile race in 1929.

Another stallion to have an excellent record in performance and the showring was Shahzada (Mootrub ex Ruth Kesia), bred in 1913. After the war he won numerous prizes, including the ridden class at Richmond in 1923; he also won the AHS 300 mile Endurance Tests of 1920 and 1922 and was second in a one mile race in 1923. After his exportation to Australia in 1925 he was Champion at the Sydney Royal Easter Show for eight successive years. He appears in the pedigrees of many of today's top endurance horses in that country.

These are just two examples to demonstrate that the Arabian of those days was expected to be capable of performing well under saddle in addition to being a "show horse." Today a somewhat different picture presents us with an apparent division in thought.

Many people seem to think that there are two "types" of Arabian, the show horse and the performance horse. If this was followed universally by breeders it could spell disaster for the breed. The Arabian always has been basically a horse for riding and was used as a war horse by the Bedouin in days gone by. His other superb qualities and undoubted beauty make him the supreme horse to all his admirers. But what we do to him in the showring today must play into the hands of his detractors.

Often with a large portion of his mane cut off, his face smothered in grease, his tail "artificially" raised by gingering or some other substance, he is then made to pose in a way that is supposed to show that he has an almost level topline. His neck is pulled out and he is forced to stand with his head held high and nose poking to the sky.

When shown in this ridiculously exaggerated style it is not possible to judge whether the graceful curve of throat, such a hallmark of the high caste Arabian, is present or not. It would appear that the method of showing by stretching the neck absurdly high has been developed simply to hide the fact that the horse has either a short neck or lacks the true arch of throat. Stretching can also disguise the topline.

But what is meant by a level topline? Drooping quarters are certainly not correct for an Arabian, but neither is the "jersey cow look," as one eminent British breeder once described the "modern" pose of straight back. Riding judges will endorse the view that a horse with an unnaturally straight back is both uncomfortable to ride and is incorrect conformationally. The back is stiff and the hind-quarters unable to function properly, one result being that a horse thus made is incapable of moving easily uphill. In addition he is made to trot flat out round the showring with no regard to the correct hock and knee action, or to the light and airy movement which is the true way of going.

What a travesty of our beautiful Arabian. One has only to watch him running free in his paddock to see the difference between a horse shown in modern style and the beauty of the natural movement and stance of the breed. No wonder he is called a "poodle" and ridiculed by many people.

It would seem that the present day style of showing Arabians is moving toward trying to change the general appearance of the breed. All too much attention is paid to what is termed "type," an extreme head and flambouyance of style, frequently artificially hyped-up by cruel methods to cover a lack of natural presence. Often this image hides the fact that the legs are flimsy, with weak knees and hocks, and probably incapable of standing much ridden work. The level topline so desired does not give a "place to put the saddle," which was the way in which Lady Anne Blunt described that essential part of the body.

At the other extreme of modern Arabian horse breeding we see animals which have been bred for performance alone. Typical examples can be seen in some Arab racehorses. The French have made no secret that they have been breeding for speed and performance for over 100 years with no regard to "type." They have created horses which are certainly extremely good performers on the racetrack, but which show a general lack of some of the breed's other characteristics, notably the quality, lovely head and gay carriage. It is illuminating to watch an international race in the UK where Arabians from other European countries compete with those from the USA and from the UK. The French horses, almost without exception, are noticeable for carrying their tails trailed out behind them with no sign of the normal carriage, "like a banner" to use the Arab's description.

The danger of breeding two kinds of Arabian, one for performance and one for the showring, is to risk degeneracy and it should be clearly apparent. The sad fact is that many breeders seem just to go all out to win at all costs, with no regard to the future of the breed as a whole. Fortunately there are still some breeders who continue to look to the welfare of the breed and who follow Wilfrid Blunt's wise words that say to breed for any one quality will destroy the equilibrium of the whole.

The chief danger lies in new people following fashions and not understanding that this can be detrimental in the longer term, to themselves as breeders, and to the breed. The ideal of course, which should be aimed for, is an Arabian capable of being successful in both the showring and as a performance horse.

Much can be done to offset wrong ideas by Arab Horse societies and associations. As an example, the British Arab Horse Society has inaugurated a new competition in which a trophy, kindly donated by Mrs. V.H. Breakwell, is to be awarded annually to the best purebred stallion shown in-hand and under saddle at the same show; similar competitions for mares and geldings are also planned. In addition, the AHS runs a stallion testing scheme in which horses are given premiums of different grades after completing various tests in performance, as well as being assessed for type, conformation and disposition. Such encouragement as this can only be of benefit to the breed.

It is hoped that new owners will make a careful study, learn from the example of the wise breeders who are avoiding the pitfalls of following fashions, and aim to breed for all the natural qualities of the Arabian.

Rosemary Archer is the former editor the the British Arabian Horse Society News. She has written many articles for various publications and she has co-authored the books The Crabbet Arabian Stud, It's History and Influence and The Arab Horse.

Back to Article Index

Contents of this website © Sheila D. Hardie 1998-2004. All Rights Reserved.

Increase your horse site's traffic up to 65% - FREE!