Most people look up Arabian horses when they’re weighing up a purchase, checking a breeder’s claims, or trying to match a horse’s temperament to the work they have in mind. Getting the basics right matters. A breed that’s described as “gentle” can still be sharp, and a horse that looks like an Arabian might not have the physical build or the genetic history you’re expecting.
Below is a clear, practical profile of the Arabian: what makes the breed distinctive, what they tend to suit, and the everyday care that helps them stay sound for a long life. Where common online claims drift into myth, they’re tightened back to what reputable sources actually support.
Arabian horse at a glance
- Origin: Arabian Peninsula2
- Height: commonly 14.1–15.1 hands (about 145–155 cm)2
- Weight: typically around 360–450 kg (varies with height and type)2
- Coat colours: most often grey, bay, chestnut, black (markings vary)2
- Distinctive features: refined wedge-shaped head often with a slight concave (“dished”) profile, arched neck, short back, naturally high tail carriage1, 2
- Common uses: endurance riding, showing, general riding; also used widely to influence other breeds2
- Lifespan: often into the mid-to-late 20s; some live into their 30s with good care (individual variation is normal)2
History and origin
The Arabian horse developed in the Middle East, shaped over centuries by selective breeding in arid conditions. The breed’s global influence is outsized for its numbers: Arabian bloodlines appear in many modern riding and sport horses, largely because the type reliably passes on endurance, refinement, and a characteristic way of moving.2
What makes an Arabian look like an Arabian
Arabians are best recognised in motion and silhouette: a compact, balanced body; a clean, arched neck; and a tail that tends to be carried high without being forced. The head is often refined with large eyes and a concave profile, though the depth of the “dish” varies and extreme exaggeration is not a welfare goal.1, 2
Most Arabians sit in a relatively narrow height range (commonly 14.1–15.1 hands), which can suit riders who prefer a smaller, agile horse that still feels powerful underneath.2
A quick note on the “one less bone” claim
You’ll often hear that Arabians have “one less vertebra”. More precisely, Arabians may have one fewer lumbar vertebra and one fewer pair of ribs than is typical in other horses, though this is not universal in every individual and shouldn’t be used as a stand-alone “purity” test.2
Temperament and behaviour
Arabians are commonly described as intelligent, alert, and sensitive. In practice, that often means they notice small changes in handling and environment, learn patterns quickly, and may become tense if training is inconsistent or rough. With calm, skilled handling, many settle into steady work and form reliable routines, especially when their daily movement and social needs are met.2
They’re used successfully across disciplines, but they particularly shine where efficient movement, stamina, and quick responsiveness matter—endurance is the obvious one, but not the only one.2
Training and exercise: what tends to work best
Arabians usually respond best to training that is quiet, consistent, and specific. Keep sessions short enough to stay clear, and varied enough to avoid drilling. Many benefit from early, thoughtful exposure to new places and sights, because they tend to remain attentive to their surroundings throughout life.
For most adult Arabians, daily movement matters more than occasional big rides. A steady rhythm of turnout, ridden work, and some simple ground tasks often produces the calmest, most rideable version of the horse you’ve got.
Health and lifespan
Arabians are generally hardy and long-lived, but like every breed they have known genetic risks. In particular, severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and Lavender Foal Syndrome (LFS) are recognised inherited conditions in Arabian bloodlines, and responsible breeding uses DNA testing to manage risk and avoid producing affected foals.3, 4
Preventative care basics
- Veterinary check-ups: regular examinations help pick up weight loss, lameness, skin issues, and early dental problems before they become expensive or dangerous.
- Vaccination and parasite control: follow a program set with your veterinarian for your region, property, and competition schedule.
- Teeth and feet: routine dental care and farriery are not optional for performance or comfort.
Diet and nutrition
Most Arabians do best when the diet is built around fibre first: pasture and/or good-quality hay, with concentrates added only when workload, age, pregnancy, or poor pasture makes extra energy and nutrients necessary. Fresh, clean water should be available at all times.
As a practical rule of thumb, many adult horses need roughly 1.5–2.5% of body weight per day in total feed (dry matter), with a meaningful portion as forage. Your exact target depends on condition score, workload, climate, and the quality of what’s in the paddock.5
Feeding cautions that matter
- Avoid mouldy or dusty hay: it increases respiratory risk and can cause digestive trouble.
- Be careful with high-starch feeds: sudden changes and large hard feeds can upset the gut; if you need extra calories, adjust gradually and seek advice.
- Watch the easy-keeper: some Arabians hold weight readily on good pasture, so monitoring condition is part of good feeding.
Grooming and maintenance
Arabians typically have a fine coat and skin that shows dirt quickly, so regular grooming is less about vanity and more about daily inspection: small cuts, heat in the legs, girth rubs, early rain scald, ticks. During seasonal shedding, a curry comb and shedding blade can make the job faster, but keep pressure light over bony points.
Fun facts (kept honest)
- Some Arabians have one fewer pair of ribs and one fewer lumbar vertebra than is typical, contributing to a shorter back and a distinctive outline, though it’s not true of every individual.2
- The naturally high tail carriage is a hallmark of the breed’s type, often seen even at rest, and becomes more pronounced when the horse is moving freely.1, 2
Final thoughts
The Arabian is a desert-bred athlete: compact, efficient, and attentive. In the right hands, that sensitivity becomes finesse rather than fussiness, and the famed stamina becomes a steady engine you can rely on. Choose the individual in front of you, verify breeding claims through reputable registries and documentation, and build care around forage, movement, and routine.
References
- Arabian Horse Association (AHA) – Arabian Horses: Breed Standard / Conformation
- Arabian horse (overview, characteristics, anatomy) – Wikipedia
- Horse Journals – Research advances lead to new genetic tests for horses (includes SCID and LFS summaries)
- Lavender foal syndrome (inheritance, clinical signs, testing) – Wikipedia
- Farmalogic Australia – Roughage, Forage & Fibre: feeding amounts and forage guidance
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom