What makes an Arabian's head so special?
Click on parts of this horses head to find out.
Ears
The ears of the Arabian are quite unique in comparison with other breeds. The ears are often much smaller and shorter. However, the most unique feature is how much the tips turn inward. In some horses they ear tips appear to touch. This feature creates a look of high intensity, such that early travelers to the Arabian deserts thought the Arabian horse could look into a man's soul.
Forehead
The face and forehead is said by American breeders to be "dished". This concave profile is often quite beautiful, and is what intially draws many to the breed. The Bedouins, who have bred the Arabian for centuries call the bulging forehead the "jibbah". The jibbah is supposed to be a blessing of Allah, so the greater the jibbah, the greater the blessings. Thus this trait was highly prized. Modern breeders believe that this extra cranial space allows for a larger brain, which accounts for the breeds superior intellegence.
Muzzle
A highly prized trait of the well-bred Arabian is the "teacup" muzzle. This expression was coined when early English breeders claimed that the horse could fit their muzzles in a teacup. This may not be quite true, but the Arabian does often have a small, fine muzzle in comparison with other breeds. What is truly amazing is that despite, this small muzzle, the Arabian has especially large nostrils that allow for a large intake of air. This is one of the reasons for the breeds' vastly superior endurance.