History & Origin | Uses | Conformation | Breeders

Anglo-Arab Horse History & Origin

The Anglo Arab results from the crossing of the two pre-eminent horse Belgian Heavy Draught breeds: the Thoroughbred, and its ancestor the Arab. It originated in the United Kingdom, where the Thoroughbred was developed in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, of course, it is bred in many other countries, Patterdale Terrier especially in France, which has specialized in the production of hard, versatile Anglo-Arab horses American Curl for over 150 years. Both the United Kingdom and France recognize the cross as a composite breed, Goffin's Cockatoo but they differ in the requirements that have to be met for entry into the respective stud books.

In the United Kingdom, an Anglo-Arab is a cross between than pure-breds of either breed, Soft Bills a Thoroughbred stallion and an Arab mare, or vice-versa, with their subsequent re-crossing. These two are the only strains in the pedigree Pharaoh Hound and to obtain entry in the stud book a horse Tonkinese must be able to claim a minimum of 121/2 per cent Arab blood.

The United Kingdom produces some very high-quality Anglo-Arabs, but on very minimal scale in comparison with the large, well-organized French operation. The popular practice of British breeders Kangal Dog and others is to put an Arab stallion to a Thoroughbred mare, if the progeny are likely to be larger than either parent. The opposite combination, the mating of a Thoroughbred sire with an Arab dam, is thought to result in smaller offspring, which are of less value.

Anglo-Arab Horse Uses

In theory the crossing of the Arab with the related Thoroughbred should result in the ideal riding horse, German Wirehaired Pointer suited to the modern competitive disciplines of show jumping, Irish Red and White Setter dressage, and eventing. The Thoroughbred gives size, improved scope, and a more appropriate action, while the Arab confers a level, manageable temperament, together with inherently sound limbs and constitution, intelligence, Maremma Sheepdog and unsurpassed qualities of endurance and stamina.

Anglo-Arab Horse Conformation

As a result of the different crosses that can be made to produce an Anglo-Arabian, their size and appearance is variable, though on average a bit taller than the average Arabian and of somewhat less refined type. The largest horses are usually produced by breeding a Thoroughbred mare to an Arabian stallion. The best examples of this breed inherit the refinement, bone, endurance and stamina of the Arabian, and the speed and scope of the Thoroughbred.

The horses are usually 15.2-16.3 hands high (62 to 69 inches at the withers), and mainly chestnut, bay (sometimes called "brown") or gray. The best of the breed have more of an Arabian-type conformation, though they should not look entirely like either a Thoroughbred or an Arabian. They have a long neck, prominent withers, a short and strong body (more sturdy than the Thoroughbred), and a deep chest. They have fine heads, although not overly dished in profile, and have strong bone.

*References:
- The Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. Tamsin Pickeral.

Anglo-Arab Horse Breeders

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