Arabian Breeding Heritage Groups

When I first stumbled into the world of Arabian breeding, drawn by the magnetic fascination I have with these beautiful, spirited creatures, I was completely confused by the heritage groups. How can an Arabian be Polish, Spanish, Russian, or even Egyptian? Isn't an Arabian simply an Arabian? Did he not originate in the deserts of the Middle East?

The more I've studied, the more I've come to understand some of the quirks of the Arabian breeding world. These extend to other breeds as well (such as the Thoroughbred), although I don't think they guard their genetic gene pools so zealously as the Arab people. Some groups even doubt the "purity" of the bloodlines from other groups.

Arabians are one of the oldest breeds alive. Their blood has been infused into light saddle breeds aroud the world in order to lighten their heavier frames and to add speed, stamina, and beauty. However, in spite of the prevalence of Arabian blood globally, very few programs were set up to exclusively breed purebred Arabians outside their geographical area of origin.

The Darley Arabian, one of three foundation Arabian sires of the English Thoroughbred (unknown artist)

The establishment of Arabian studs outside the Middle East has enabled the preservation of bloodlines that may otherwise have been lost with the decline of the Bedouin nomadic way of life. These studs opened registries and allowed the means to trace each individual horse's pedigree. A more permanent record than the oral tradition of the nomadic breeders was established.

Some of the most familiar heritage groups in the U.S. include Polish, Blunt/Crabbet, Egyptian, Spanish, Russian, French, and the American CMK (Crabbet-Maynesboro-Kellogg - predominantly early American Foundation bloodlines).

In a sense, it is good to have these different breeding segments. The genetic diversity of the breed as a whole relies on maintaining a broad genetic base. Without maintaining several distinct populations, there is great risk of homogenization of the breed. A loss of genetic diversity would result in a loss of the breed's ability to adapt to ever changing needs and environments.

Michael Bowling's article on Preservation Breeding and Population Genetics explains the breeding concept far better than I can! Enjoy the read, it's a very interesting topic.

Smetanka, Arabian foundation sire of the Orlov Trotter in Russia (artist unknown)

Arabian Coat Colors

I've always been fascinated with genetics, and the inheritance of coat color is especially interesting to me. Compared to other horse breeds, Arabian color genetics are relatively simple. Arabs all have black skin except where white markings occur. Base coats are chestnut, bay or black (relatively rare).

A high percentage of Arabs have the color modifying grey gene (G). These horses are born their base coat color and fade to white over the course of their lifetime. How quickly they fade is also determined by genetics. Some greys may develop a "flea-bitten" look or be marked by color in other fashions (eg, "bloody shoulder").

Flea-bitten grey stallion *Carycyn (b. 1961, Comet x Cerekiew (by Wielki Szlem))

I'll start out with simple Mendelian genetics. All horses have two copies of either the black (E) or red (e) gene, one copy inherited from each parent. Since red is recessive, all chestnut horses are (ee- homozygous). Black horses may be either (EE - homozygous) or (Ee - heterozygous).

Chestnut stallion Adlan (b. 1992, Adl x Fenoun (by Hafid Anter))

Black stallion Darq+++ (b. 1969, Raffon++ x Jo-Vall (by Jokkar))

Bay coats are the result of the influence of the Agouti (A) gene. This gene acts by causing depigmentation of black hair on most of the body, leaving red coloring with black points. To express the Agouti gene, a horse must have at least one copy of the black (E) gene. A chestnut horse may have the (A) gene, but it will not express because his coat is already red. Therefore, the genetics for coat colors are as follows:

• BLACK:  EEaa or Eeaa (E_aa) + gg (no grey modifier)
• BAY:  EEAA, EEAa, EeAA, or EeAa (E_A_ ) + gg
• CHESTNUT:  eeAA, eeAa, or eeaa (ee_ _ ) + gg
• GREY:  any of the above in combination with GG or Gg (G_ )

Bright bay stallion El Perfecto (b. 1988, *Vallehermoso x Example (by *Barich de Washoe))

Within each color, there is a wide range of expression. Bays or chestnuts can appear nearly black. Chestnuts can be almost blonde with flaxen manes and tails. The purebred Arabian gene pool contains no dilute genes (cream, silver dapple, champagne, etc).

An interesting note: before the advent of genetic tests to determine coat color, the stallion Fire An Ice was able to be registered with the Palomino Horse Association based on appearance alone, even though he doesn't have the necessary cream gene to be a true gold!

Fire An Ice (Gold N Ali x Tu-Flame (by Baske-Tu)), 1990 chestnut stallion registered both AHA and PHA

There is a misconception that Arabians cannot be pinto and still be purebred. In actual fact, pure Arabians cannot be tobiano or overo, but they can be sabino. Sabino expression may be minimal (some white on the legs, a blaze that covers part of the lower lip, small belly spots, etc). They may also be extreme with lots of white. Pinto Arabians have been described as "parti-colored" in earlier literature. While sabino markings have long been considered undesirable or a sign of impurity in the United States, desert tribes did not consider sabino horses to be inferior.

An example of a wildly-marked purebred pinto Arab was the lovely champion mare WA Outrageous+/

WA Outrageous+/ (b. 1999, Khartoon Khlassic x Gladiola Bey (by Great Lad))

Arabians also may have some roaning, although it is not the same gene that causes a true roan like in other breeds (classified by dark head and points along with a lighter colored, nearly white body). Rabicano roaning is often partnered with sabino expression in Arabs. Rabicanos usually have a "skunk tail," one that is partially white.

True red roan:

1992 Quarter Horse (AQHA) stallion Peptoboonsmal

Chestnut rabicano:

Akid Ali Zafar, 1979 Arabian stallion (*Rasheek x Akid Bint Rualla (by TheEgyptianPrince))

I will post more on color genetics at another time. To conclude today's post, here are two hard and fast rules on inheritance of color:

1. Two non-grey parents cannot have grey offspring. When the grey modifier gene is inherited it is ALWAYS expressed--if a horse isn't grey, it doesn't carry the (G) gene.
2. Two chestnut parents cannot have offspring of any other color. The chestnut gene is recessive, and therefore all individuals who express this gene are homozygous (ee).

What is an Arabian horse?

This may seem like a silly question to ask, but the answer is not simple at all. Merely defining an Arab as a horse of a breed originating in the Arabian peninsula is not sufficient. The Wikipedia article on this subject gives a good general background.

The Arabian is one of the oldest breeds of horse and retains very distinctive characteristics. Known for his high tail carriage, strong bone, refined head with wide jowl and small muzzle, and great endurance, the Arabian has contributed to the development of most other breeds of light saddle horses.

Diagram published in Arabian Horse World (June 1973) by Gladys Brown Edwards

Some desirable facial features include large eyes, a slight bulge in the forehead between the eyes (known as a jibbah, additional sinus capacity considered to be important for a desert breed), and a slight concavity, or dish, to the profile. Ears should be small, and it is considered attractive for them to be "tippy," meaning slightly curved:

Tippy ears and large eyes on the stallion Ferzon (b. 1952, Ferneyn x Fersara (by Ferseyn))

Very attractive head with relatively straight profile on the gelding El Sakkara (b. 1989, Serenity Monzeer x Namoura (by Ibn Morafic+++))

"Dishy" face with wide jowl and small muzzle on the mare Ansata Munira (b. 1996, Ansata Manasseh x Ansata Meryta (by Ansata Halim Shah))

Many Arabs (but not all) have only 5 lumbar vertebrae (instead of 6) and 17 pairs of ribs (rather than 18). A short, strong back helps the Arab carry relatively heavy loads for his size. The breed is typically on the small side, with some individuals under 14 hands, but it is still considered a horse rather than a pony. Modern Arabians can reach over 16 hands (although most are well under that height).

Arabians were bred to be war horses by the nomadic Bedouin tribes. The most prized mares were protected from theft by keeping them in the tent with the family. Such horses had to be docile enough for even children to handle them. However, in spite of a gentle nature, Arabians are considered a "hot-blooded" breed of horse because of their sensitivity and intelligence.

"Le cheval de Mustapha Pascha" by Antoine-Jean Groc (circa 1810)

Arabians as a breed are very versatile. They can be found in many disciplines, from racing (both flat track and endurance) to English and park classes to Western pleasure and reining. Currently, my personal Arabians are primarily trail horses, and they are well suited for that!

Starlite Duchess (b. 1998, Bahim of Century x Jemima of Century (by Faress Shade)) and Zeplin (b. 2006 ~97% Arabian, CR Royale Sands x CR Lady Lilac (by CR Royale Sands))

There is still plenty more to say, but this post is long enough for today. Stay tuned for many, many more pictures and other interesting information about this awesome breed :-)

The obsession needed its own site!

(Two paintings of the Arabian breed standard as interpreted by Gladys Brown Edwards)

I'll admit it... I'm a madwoman! I am absolutely obsessed with Arabian horses and the idea of breeding my own brand of "perfect" Arabian. Since almost all of my spare time (what there is of it) is spent researching bloodlines and drooling over gorgeous examples of the breed, I've decided I might as well spill out some of that effort onto good ol' Blogger!

If you made it here from my other blog, you are already well aware that I'm called "krazy" for a reason. If you stumbled upon this site on your own, I don't think you will hold any delusions for very long!

My main intent on this blog is to discuss Arabian horses, primarily focusing on anything relevant to my intent to create a small breeding program of my own. I have asked my best friend Julie, of Reinbow Valley Farm, to assist with her own view. We won't always agree on every point, but I respect her opinion, and I believe her to be an exceptional judge of quality horseflesh. I think it will add more dimension and depth to the discussion to have more than one perspective. We will try to stay positive and include as many references as we can to reputable sources.

Some of the topics I would like to cover:

• history of the Arab as a vital part of what characteristics are (and should) be prized in the breed
• breeding heritage groups and programs (Crabbet, Polish, Straight Egyptian, Babcock, Kellogg, etc.)
• individual horses, including pedigree (pictures where possible!) and strengths
• my breeding goals and my own horses (both strengths and weaknesses)
• articles and links to sites with more in depth information on particular topics
• Arabian horse depiction in art and literature

There are many other things I'm sure I could add to this list, but it's a beginning. I certainly don't see the well of inspiration ever running dry! Please feel free to comment about anything (keep it positive, though, even when making constructive criticism--this blog isn't for bashing). Make suggestions about future topics, or let me know if you want to do a guest blog! Hopefully there will be more than just Julie and I reading this blog :-)