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In recent years, the temperament of the Arabian horse has suffered unfair criticism due to the practices of a small number of the better known breeders and handlers of these magnificent animals. Sadly some of today's most prominent purebred stock are bred solely for their exquisite beauty, and paraded around show rings with heads held high, nostrils flared, and wound up like taut rubber bands, ready to explode at any minute. These displays certainly show off the Arabian's boundless energy and breathtaking good looks, but they also cast doubts on the breed's ability to perform as safe, reliable working horses under saddle.

One of the oldest known horse breeds, the Arabian has featured significantly throughout history as a faithful companion, a diverse and indispensable mount, and as a means for communication, exploration, and domination. Completely undeserving of its current status, here we find a breed renowned for its unrivaled stamina, sharp intelligence, and devout loyalty to its human counterparts.

The relationship between man and the Arabian horse began in the harsh Middle Eastern deserts with the ancient Bedouin tribes of biblical times. These nomadic tribes relied on the ability of their horses to traverse vast expanses of arid desert under extreme conditions in order to replenish food and water supplies. They utilised the speed and agility of the tough desert bred horses to raid neighboring tribes and to wage wars in the name of religion and nobility. The Bedouins worshipped their mounts as gifts from Allah, bringing them into their tents at night as companions and protectors from both the extreme weather conditions and evil spirits. The loyalty and trust that developed out of this closeness is still clearly evident in today's modern Arabian horse.

As civilization grew and spread, the unique qualities of the "Horses of the desert" captured the attention of all who witnessed them in action. Arabian blood became a sought after commodity in the breeding programs of the great armies of the developing world. Arabian bred horses valiantly carried warriors into battle across Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East. They drew the grand chariots of the Egyptian and Roman empires, and their unrivaled spirit and innate beauty established them as symbols of wealth and power.

The enormous popularity of the Arabian horse during this time saw them crossed with virtually every other native horse and pony breed of the known world. As Arabian blood spread further across

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