National Arabian Horse Day Date in the current year: February 19, 2024

The Arabian horse, also known as Arab horse, is a horse breed that originated in the Arabian Peninsula, just as the name suggests. Its high tail carriage and distinctive head shape make the Arabian horse easily recognizable. The Arabian is one of the most popular horse breeds in the world. Arabians are valued for their versatility, intelligence, good temperament, and natural tendency to cooperate with humans who treat them well.

The Arabian is one of the world’s oldest horse breeds; archaeological evidence of horses resembling modern Arabians, such as rock paintings and inscriptions, dates back about four and a half millennia. The breed is believed to have been shaped by two key factors: climate and culture. Arabians originated in the desert, which required them to cooperate with humans in order to survive in areas with no water or pasture. As far as culture is concerned, Arabians were bred by the Bedouin, who needed war horses that possessed qualities such as endurance, intelligence, speed, and stealth. They also valued beauty and refinement in their horses.

The first Arabian horses are believed to have arrived in Europe in the 11th century, during the Crusades. With the rise of cavalry, many European monarchs started to breed Arabians in order to gain military advantage. English colonists brought Arabians to the New World (George Washington’s horse Blueskin was a half-Arabian), and purebred breeding of Arabians in the United States began to develop in the early 20th century.

Today, there are more than a million Arabians in the world; more than half of them are in the United States. In addition, most modern light horse breeds have some Arabian blood in them. Arabians are used in many equestrian disciplines, in circuses and horse shows, for pleasure and trail riding, in equine-assisted therapy, and as working ranch horses.

National Arabian Horse Day was created in 2021 by the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, which is operated by the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona. The Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the Arabian horse through promotion, education, competition, and various activities. Its members are Arabian horse breeders, owners, and enthusiasts. The holiday is supported by the Arabian Horse Times and Experience Arabian Horses, two publications dedicated to spreading awareness of the Arabian horse.

There are many ways to celebrate National Arabian Horse Day. You can learn more about this amazing horse breed and share the facts you’ve learned with anyone who wants to listen, check out if there is an Arabian horse farm near you and schedule a visit, find a National Arabian Horse Day event near you or organize an event of your own, attend the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show if you have an opportunity or watch it online, sign up for a horse riding lesson, and spread the word about the holiday on social media with the hashtag #NationalArabianHorseDay.