Since before private jets and supercars and continuing today, people have owned Arabian horses for pleasure and bragging rights as a status symbol. These noble steeds have been the choice of kings and other accomplished, wealthy individuals for thousands of years. To this day, Arabian horses are prized for their elegant appearance, superior athleticism, and reputation as a symbol of high status.
Originating from the Arabian peninsula, these horses were bred by the Bedouin tribe to traverse the vast desert landscape. Bred for the harshest conditions, their stamina is unmatched. They were prized by both inhabitants of the Arabian peninsula, and eventually the rest of the world.
Don’t let their beauty and elegance fool you – these horses are also exceptional athletes. Arabian horses are known for their endurance, and almost every endurance riding horse is of Arabian descent. The endurance races of the 19th century, known from the story of Hidalgo, featured only purebred Arabian horses.
Arabian horses are also a surprising part of American history. George Washington rode a half-Arabian horse into battle and introduced the breed’s genes to the early American military ranks. He also kept a purebred Arabian racehorse named Magnolia.
The Black Stallion, a beloved children’s novel by Walter Farley, tells the story of a child that befriends an black Arabian horse after a shipwreck. The book was later adapted as a film that received widespread critical acclaim. The Black Stallion was officially named “The Most Famous Fictional Horse of the Century” by the New York Times.
Today, this breed is still considered a status symbol. Surprisingly, evidence has shown that modern Arabian horses remain almost completely unchanged from their earliest known ancestors from the Arab peninsula. Arabians are bred and prized all over the world, with the best typically selling for over $100,000!
