Arabians Abroad

A major European line is found in the United Kingdom, where the earliest stock came from after the Crusades. These horses, which came at the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th centuries became the foundation of the Thoroughbred. Purebred Arab stock came from Arabia and Egypt at the end of the 19th century and proved important to the development of the breed in Great Britain. The Crabbet Stud was founded by the original and highly enterprising collectors lady Anne and Wilfred Scawen Blunt, who imported Arab horses.

The Muslim battled of the 7th century brought Arabs into France. Louis XV, who set up the Pompadour Stud, and Napoleon, who ordered the import of 221 stallions and 31 Oriental mares, were great promoters of the breed in France. Many Spanish breeds were heavily influenced by the introduction of the Arabs from the Muslim conquests, but the purebred lines are more recently developed. During the mid-19th century, Queen Isabella imported desert stock. Russia has seen the Arab play an vital role as foundation stock for its breeds, which can only be traced back to the 1930s with the importation of Arabs from Babolna, France, the United Kingdom and later from Poland as war booty. Then after World War II, some Egyptian stallions were added to influence the purebred stock.

Ironically, the European countries who have purchased desert Arabian stock find themselves today selling it back to the oil-rich Arab nations who are again building up stables of these magnificent horses. Today, there is hardly a country in the world which does not have important Arab studs, the greatest rates of development probably coming from the United States and Australia. A World Arabian Horse Organization has been established in order to control the authenticity of pedigrees and to promote the best possible selective breeding. The Arab today is truly an international breed.

For more information on other Arabians, visit:

• Elite Arabian
• Persian Arabian
• Egyptian Arabian
• Polish Arabian
• Shagya Arabian
• Syrian Arab
• Bibliography

© Copyright 1996-2002 NorthWest Breyer Horse Club.
Published December 1996 in NorthWest Breyer Horse Club Newsletter as part of an article on Arabians. (em)

	© 1997-2007 NW Breyer Horse Club & Refiner of Gold Creations Equinealities in place since 1997, Section in place 2001, Updated 3/13/2007		Enter city or US Zip