Arabian Horse: Traits, Temperament and Care in Saudi Heat

The Arabian is one of the world's oldest and most distinctive horse breeds, shaped over a long history on the Arabian Peninsula and its surrounding desert [1][2]. It is known for its refined head, high tail and gentle but spirited nature [1]. Here is a calm, practical guide to what makes it special and how to care for it well.

Arabian horse quick facts

What makes the Arabian horse special?

Its look is easy to recognise. ECAHO's judges' manual names three hallmarks of the breed: a refined, wedge-shaped head that tapers to a fine muzzle, an arched, high-set neck, and a high tail carriage [1].

Many Arabians also have a slightly concave, or "dished", profile below the eyes. The manual calls this "desirable but by no means essential", so not every Arabian has it [1].

There is no fixed height limit in judging. The Arabian Horse Association's youth material gives 14.1 to 15.1 hands as the breed standard, and ECAHO notes that many horses are larger or smaller than the usual range [1][2].

What is an Arabian horse's temperament like?

ECAHO describes the breed as gentle, kind and affectionate, "though spirited", as well as intelligent and known for courage and endurance [1]. It links much of this to the breed's long history of living close to people [1].

The Arabian Horse Association describes a friendly, loyal horse with a consistent wish to please its owner [2].

What should an Arabian horse eat and drink?

Forage, such as hay and pasture, should be the base of the diet: at least half of what the horse eats each day [4][5]. Healthy horses ideally have free access to hay or pasture, plus salt and fresh water [4]. A general starting point is about 2 to 2.5% of body weight in feed per day, adjusted to the individual horse [4][5]. Ask a licensed equine vet what suits your horse.

A few feeding habits help protect the gut:

• Change slowly. Introduce any change of diet gradually [5].
• Split grain meals. If concentrate feed is more than 0.5% of body weight, divide it into smaller meals at least 4 hours apart [5].
• Mind exercise. Avoid large meals within an hour of hard exercise [5].
• Avoid sandy ground. Feeding on sand is a named risk factor for colic [6].

Water: fresh water must be available at all times. Horses tend to drink better when the water is moderate in temperature, about 20–26°C [4].

How do I care for its hooves and teeth?

Regular hoof care from a farrier and regular dental care are both foundations of good horse health [7][10]. Good dental care helps the horse use its feed well [10].

A licensed equine vet can also set up a vaccination and deworming programme designed for your horse. This can lower the risk of disease and of some types of colic [10].

Where should an Arabian horse live?

Horses need plenty of space. Good stabling is well ventilated and well lit, with non-slip floors and stall walls that stop horses touching each other [8]. Where possible, add safe access to pasture with strong fencing [8].

How do I keep an Arabian horse cool in Saudi heat?

Horses cool themselves mainly by sweating, and sweating works less well when it is hot and humid [3]. So in a Saudi summer:

• Provide shaded rest areas and fresh water at all times [3][8].
• Don't over-exercise during the hottest part of the day [3][8].
• Use the comfort index to judge exercise: add the air temperature in Fahrenheit to the relative humidity (%) [9][8]. Quick conversion: 35°C ≈ 95°F, 40°C ≈ 104°F, 45°C ≈ 113°F, 50°C ≈ 122°F (multiply Celsius by 1.8 and add 32).

This is international veterinary guidance, not Saudi-specific advice.

What health problems do Arabian horses get?

This is awareness only. For any concern, see a licensed equine vet.

• Colic: a broad term for belly pain with many possible causes [6]. Merck notes that Arabian horses are prone to enteroliths, stone-like formations in the intestine that are one cause of colic [6]. Coarse feed, too little water and sandy ground are named risk factors [6].
• Laminitis: a foot condition that can affect any horse. General risk factors include too much grain, sudden access to lush pasture and repeated pounding on the feet [7]. Heat in the hoof or reluctance to move is an emergency [7].
• Inherited conditions: three recessive genetic conditions are notably linked to Arabian horses and their crosses: SCID (an immune disorder), cerebellar abiotrophy (CA, a brain condition affecting movement) and lavender foal syndrome (LFS) [11]. A foal is only affected if it inherits the gene from both parents. Carrier parents look healthy [11]. DNA tests for these conditions exist [11].

Call a licensed equine vet promptly if your horse keeps pawing, looks at or bites its flank, curls its upper lip, keeps lying down or rolling, sweats without exercise, has a swollen belly, stops eating or passes less manure [6].

Where does the Arabian horse come from?

ECAHO's manual describes the Arabian as "the oldest purebred (Asil) horse breed in the world" and says its bloodlines flow into many modern breeds, including the Thoroughbred [1]. This is the organisation's own description, not a historical study.

Breeders historically valued pure bloodlines within family "strains" passed down through the mare line [1][2].

Did you know? The Arabian Horse Association links the dark skin around the eyes and muzzle to the term "Kohl-ani", after its resemblance to the kohl eyeliner traditionally used in the Arabian Peninsula [2]. ECAHO's manual also records a legend, not history, that all Arabians descend through a line of mares from "the Mare of Baz" [1].

What should I check before buying an Arabian horse?

• If the horse is sold as a purebred Arabian, confirm its registration and pedigree papers with the King Abdulaziz Arabian Horse Center (KAAHC) [12].
• Ask whether the parents were tested for SCID, CA and LFS. Carriers show no signs [11].
• Ask for records of farrier, dental, vaccination and deworming care [10].
• Ask about the current feeding routine, so any change can be made gradually [5][6].
• Book an independent check with a licensed equine vet, not just the seller's word.
• Plan shade, water and housing for the Saudi summer before the horse arrives [8][9].
• Plan for costs: forage and any extra feed, vet check-ups, vaccinations and deworming, dental care, farrier visits, stabling or fenced pasture, cooling, and an emergency fund, because colic is urgent [4][6][7][8][10].

How do I register an Arabian horse in Saudi Arabia?

This is general guidance only. Confirm current rules with the official authorities before you register, buy, import or export a horse [12].

• MEWA's website describes the King Abdulaziz Arabian Horse Center (KAAHC) as the official authority for registering Arabian horses in the Kingdom [12].
• According to that page, its responsibilities include registration certificates, horse passports, the Arabian Horse Stud Book, stable licensing, and approvals for importing and exporting horses [12].
• We did not find an official document setting out the import or export steps for horses, so we don't describe them here. Contact KAAHC or the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) directly [12].

Arabian horse FAQ

Do Arabian horses have fewer ribs than other horses?

Sometimes. ECAHO's judges' manual says Arabians "often" have 17 pairs of ribs instead of 18–19, and fewer lumbar and tail vertebrae [1]. "Often" means not every Arabian, and we found no second source to confirm it.

How long does an Arabian horse live?

Merck gives an average of 25–30 years for horses in general [3]. We did not find a verified figure specific to Arabians.

Does every Arabian horse have a dished face?

No. ECAHO calls the dished profile "desirable but by no means essential" [1].

What colours do Arabian horses come in?

Bay, chestnut, grey and black. Piebald, skewbald and dun are not accepted as Arabian colours in ECAHO judging [1].

How big is an Arabian horse?

Usually about 14.2 to 15.2 hands (144–154 cm) and about 385–455 kg, though many are larger or smaller [1].