Arabian Horse Type

from the Head to the Tail

There is a wonderful booklet for sale from the Arabian Horse Association that I would suggest for anyone who is interested in how Type is defined from our breed association.

Comparatively small head, profile of head straight or preferably slightly concave below the

eyes; small muzzle, large nostrils, extended when in action; large, round, expressive, dark

eyes set well apart (glass eyes shall be penalized in Breeding classes); comparatively short

distance between eye and muzzle; deep jowls, wide between the branches; small ears

(smaller in stallions than mares), thin and well shaped, tips curved slightly inward; long

arched neck, set on high and running well back into moderately high withers; long sloping

shoulder well laid over with muscle; ribs well sprung; long, broad forearm; short cannon

bone with large sinew; short back; loins broad and strong; croup comparatively horizontal;

natural high tail carriage. Viewed from rear, tail should be carried straight; hips strong and

round; well muscled thigh and gaskin; straight, sound, flat bone; large joints, strong and well

defined; sloping pasterns of good length; round feet of proportionate size. Height from 14.1

to 15.1 hands, with an occasional individual over or under. Fine coat in varying colors of

bay, chestnut, grey and black. Dark skin, except under white markings. Stallions especially

should have an abundance of natural vitality, animation, spirit, suppleness and balance.