While the very beginnings of the Arabian horse are hidden in the ancient desert sands, most experts agree Arabians originated in the vicinity of the Arabian Peninsula. The Bedouin tribes have traced their common history with these horses back to 3000 B.C., keeping meticulous ancestral records, or pedigrees. The modern breed's hardiness is a result of the harsh desert climate and terrain from which it evolved.
The horses were used for transportation, hauling loads, and war mounts. So prized were these horses that some keepers brought them into their families' tents at night for warmth and protection.
Eventually, Arabian horses spread throughout Europe and beyond due to both war and trade. Genghis Khan, Napoleon Bonaparte, George Washington, and Alexander the Great are among the many historical figures who owned and rode Arabians. And the prophet Mohammed urged his followers to treat their Arabian horses with kindness and respect. They arrived in the United States in the 1700s. And in 1908, the Arabian Horse Registry of America was founded.
