Nowadays, horse riding is recognised as a sport, but we mustn't forget that horses have been part of our civilisation since ancient times. One of the most remarkable breeds is the purebred Arabian horse.
There's no doubt about the role this horse has played in desert-related civilisations, and there are references to these horses dating back to the time of the pharaohs. This horse was used by all the nomadic tribes of the Near and Middle East.
The arrival of the Arabian horse in Spain
Spain was logically the first European country where the Arabian horse was introduced due to the Muslim invasion (8th to 15th centuries).
The official status of the Arabian in Spain
The first stud depot was established in Jerez de la Frontera in 1847. The first registered Arabian horses apparently belonged to Queen Isabella II. In 1893, the Military Stud Farm took charge of breeding purebred Arabians, reinforcing the breed through continuous imports of stallions and applying strict selection criteria.
The Duke of Veragua
In 1920, D. José María Ybarra and the Duke of Veragua began private initiatives to breed Arabian horses. Christopher Columbus's descendant greatly enhanced his livestock with imports of valuable stallions from England such as Razada and SIirio III, along with numerous mares, eventually assembling an exceptional selection of the finest horses of this breed.
From the Civil War to modern times
The Spanish Civil War of 1936 decimated Veragua's livestock: horses were killed, documents were lost, and horses were requisitioned for the front... After the Civil War, the Military Stud Farm pioneered the breeding of these horses, alongside the enthusiasm and dedication of some private breeders.
Characteristics
The Arabian horse stands between 1.48m and 1.52m high, with typical coat colours being grey, chestnut or bay. As the measurements suggest, it's not a large horse, but it is agile, with fluid movement, remarkable lightness and unparalleled endurance.
Undoubtedly, since the Arabian's most significant characteristic is endurance, endurance riding is the discipline where it inevitably excels. Even among winning endurance horses that aren't purebred Arabians, there's a very high percentage of Arabian blood. This horse is also highly valued by riders who enjoy outdoor equestrianism. There are also races reserved for Arabian horses, and morphological championships certainly inspire passion in many countries.
The Arabian's influence
From the perspective of horse breeding, it's well known that the Arabian is the undisputed improver of breeds, both for heavy horses and hot-blooded ones. It's also worth remembering that the Thoroughbred, like the Anglo-Arabian, originates from the Arabian horse.
