AHSSA

The Arabian Horse

Although the Arab Horse Society of South Africa was officially recognized by the SA Stud Book Association as the official Breed Society for Arabian horse breeding in 1961, the history of Arabian horse breeding in South Africa dates back many years.

Just eight years after its recognition, in 1969, the concept of a World Arabian Horse Organization (WAHO) was discussed internationally, with South Africa actively involved. WAHO was formally registered in 1972 as a charitable organization dedicated to preserving the purity of the Arabian breed. South Africa became one of the seven founding nations, joining the ranks of the USA, UK, Poland, The Netherlands, Egypt, Australia, and New Zealand. This international recognition of South Africa’s Stud Book reflects the global respect for South African Arabian horses.

WAHO’s sole purpose is to maintain the purity of the Arabian breed, and it operates as a non-profit organization, with executives working voluntarily. The organization is headquartered in London, and South Africa still holds a seat on its executive board.

Today, with advancements in breeding techniques such as transported semen and embryo transplants, maintaining strict controls is essential to preserve the integrity of the breed. The US-Registry led the way in developing rules for modern breeding, and WAHO, along with its members, has adopted these standards to ensure the purity of Arabian horses.

In the early days of WAHO, South Africa faced challenges with export restrictions on Arabian horses. However, after years of perseverance, these restrictions have eased, and South African Arabian horses, known for their high standards and valuable bloodlines, are now sought after worldwide.

The Arabian horse continues to be a symbol of beauty, endurance, and purity, with South Africa playing a vital role in preserving and promoting this ancient breed.

Arabian horses are showcased in regional and national shows, which feature halter classes, as well as riding and performance competitions such as Dressage, Jumping, Western, and Formal Riding and Driving. These events are popular and well-supported within the equestrian community.
Endurance riding, introduced in 1974, has grown significantly, with 1,700 participants in 40 races across South Africa by 1996. These races, typically around 80 km in distance, are dominated by Arabians, known for their endurance and speed. The National endurance ride spans 210 km and attracts many riders who must qualify to compete.
South African breeders and riders continue to honor the Arabian horse’s legacy, carrying forward the tradition of this ancient breed known for its endurance, beauty, and spirit.

Characteristics

The Arabian Horse has been classified as a distinct sub-species having characteristics differentiating it from other horse breeds. These differences are evident in the skeleton, conformation and intelligence of the horse and distinguish the Arabian horse wherever it is found. The Arabian horse is a specialized desert product and a close descendant of the primitive stock of Arabia. Historically, the Arabian has been recognized as a horse of beauty, intelligence, courage, endurance and romance. Bred and reared in close contact with man from the earliest records and existing in mutual interdependence the keen brain of the primitive animal has been developed by such close human association. The superior intelligence of the Arabian horse has been celebrated in a thousand anecdotes. The Arabian is typically gentle, affectionate and familiar to the point of being troublesome.

The Arabian Horse is renowned for its soundness of limb and ability to withstand hardship. After all, the life and welfare of its Arab owner, who constantly engaged in the “Ghazu”, a form of quick mounted foray upon his neighbours, was often dependent upon these qualities in his horse. Such qualities are the result of good original stock with the purity being maintained by intensive and selective breeding in a favourable environment.

“The formation of the Arab is so perfect, there is nothing to spare, no waste, his form is one essentially of utility.”

The unique appearance and special beauty of the Arabian has long been recognized. In his famous book Newmarket and Arabia, Major RD Upton wrote in 1873 that “the formation of the Arab is so perfect, there is nothing to spare, no waste, his form is one essentially of utility, the space for the seat of the rider is sufficient, and at once fixes his true position, the weight is therefore carried on that part most adapted for it. The rest of his frame is taken up with the powers of progression. Nature, the unerring artist, has not made a mistake and man, with his improvements, has not had the opportunity of spoiling him”.

The skeleton of the Arabian is characterized by a relative shortness of skull, slenderness of the lower jaw, larger size of the brain case and often fewer vertebrae in the back and tail. The Arabian’s head is also different, the upper half being larger in proportion to the whole size of the horse, especially in the depth across the jowls. The head has a triangular shape which diminishes rapidly to a small and fine muzzle, so small that it can usually be enclosed in the palm of the hand. In action, or when the horse is excited, the nostrils may become greatly dilated. The large lustrous eyes are set far apart and, when the horse is aroused, are full of fire. The Arabian is also known for a well co-ordinated, free, easy stride with a stylish, naturally balanced action. The front limbs should move with unrestricted shoulder and knee action, giving a longer, truer stride. Natural drive and impulsion from the hocks and stifle balance the proud, co-ordinated action of the horse. It must be remembered that the conformation of a horse dictates its action.