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Barb |
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Barb |
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From the desert regions of Morocco and Algeria in northern Africa comes the Barb. This hotblooded horse has prehistoric origins and is second only to the Arabian in the founding of the world's modern horse breeds. It is a tough breed of great stamina, capable of surviving on little or poor rations. Through the Spanish Horse, the Barb has become the basis of many of Europe excellent warmbloods, and most of the horses in America today. The Barb played a very important role in the evolution of the English Thoroughbred. This athletic mesomorphic horse Is originally from the geographical location of Barbary, which includes present-day Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. It has been prized as a war horse both in its native Africa and in Europe.
It is possible that the ancestors to the Barb, as a wild herd of horses on the north Africa region, escaped the effects of last Ice Age. If this could be proved, the Barb could perhaps have origins dating before those of the Arabian. The history of the Barb most certainly is intertwined with the Berbers of North Africa, who developed the breed.
A certain percentage of Arabian blood is believed present in the Barb, but there is nothing in its conformation to indicate Arabian heritage. Considering the potential of the powerful Arabian genes, a more dominant gene would be needed to override the Arabian influence. The Barb is believed to possess such a massively dominant gene. No definitive answer exists as to the origin of the Barb. There are fundamental differences between the Barb and Arabian visible in the breed characteristics. This is evident in the claim that the Godolphin Arabian (1724), which greatly contributed to the breeding ot the Thoroughbred, was really a barb. There is no evidence of the Barb's influence in the Thoroughbred because the Thoroughbred shows none of the convexness in head profile present in the Barb.
This mount of Berber horsemen played an important role in the Muslim conquest of the Spain and southern Europe via the Iberian Peninsula. As a result, the Barb was then bred to the indigenous horses of the invaded countries. Many of these horses became known as the Spanish Horse and have subsequently influenced European breeds over the centuries since the repulsion of the Moors from Spain and Portugal.
When the Muslims invaded northern Africa in the 7th century, bringing with them their culture, language and religion, the Arabian horse became a major influence in the development of breeding stock. The higher quality horses eventually replaced the Barb in its homeland. The Moors invaded Spain in the 8th century, bringing their high quailty horses. As a result the Andalusian or Spanish Horse became a prominent breeding stock which eventually spread throughout Europe.
The Barb itself became widely know throughout Europe by the seventeenth century. It was also used two centuries earlier in Pope Paul II's "corse dei Berberi," the famous Berber horse race. Since the middle of the 19th century, the Barb in its purest form exists only in remote mountains and deserts of Morocco, where tribesmen still breed their prizes mounts. The fearsome, nomadic Tuaregs were the only Berbers successful in the defense of their territories, thus their horse remained free of Arabian influence. The Tuaregs are a proud people, known for their skills as horsemen and the quality of their horses.
The Barb stands around 15.2 hands, varying between 14 and 15 hands, and is found in all solid colors (bay, brown, black, chestnut or grey). The rather long head has pronounced jaws, lively eyes, and flared nostrils. The Barb has a straight- profiled head with a somewhat common expression. Its profile is sometimes slightly convex (Roman-nosed) and shows no resemblance to the profile of the Arabian. Its narrow skull formation is almost primitive in type. It has a medium- length, well-muceld, and arched neck. It has fairly flat, yet prominent, withers and the shoulders tend to be straight, long and sloping, and sometimes lumpy. There is good depth in the girth, indicating good staying power, and the chest is wide and deep. The back is short and straight, with sloping quarters and a low-set, flowing tail. Though far from perfect, the quarters and hindlegs of the Barb can carry it quite fast for short distances. Its legs are never lymphatic and, though not always slender, solid, and well-formed, and they are free from disease. The legs have broad joints and long cannons, with prominent and clearly defined tendons. Its feet are small and of tough horn.
The Barb is not impressive as a hores, yet it has a characteristic sloping quarter, low set tail and a plain head. The breed is noted for its unlimited endurance and stamina, which are indicative of the primitive vigor present in the breed. The Barb can travel very fast over short distances, and is proven to be exceptionally agile. The Barb is best suited for use under saddle. This breed proves its hardiness in its resitance to climatic changes, disease and fatigue. The Barb is a late-developer, reaching maturity at six years. The speed and endurance of this lively and elegant breed can still be seen in festivals as the North African fantasias. This brave, quick-moving horse made it popular as a cavalry mount. Though the Barb is a spirited horse, it is undemanding and reliable.
Though the Arabian and the Barb both share ancient origins and may be somehow related, they are quite different from each other. This indicates that the Arab and Barb do not share the similar origins that some would like to believe. Comparing differences in the breed features and temperaments, it becomes more evident that these breeds come from different stock. The Arabian's head is fine and small, whereas the Barb's head has a straight facial profile, ramlike appearace, and a broad muzzle. The hind quarters of the Arabian do not show the degree of sloping as those of the Barb, and the tail is set much lower in the Barb. The Arabian's character is described as kinder and more tractable than the Barb, which is described as being quick-tempered. The distinct characteristics of the Barb indicate that it may have descended from the Steppe Horse. The Arabian descends from proto-Arab Oriental stock.
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© 1997-2007
NW Breyer Horse Club & Refiner of Gold Creations Equinealities in place since 1997, Section in place 2001, Updated 3/13/2007 |
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