Barb
Origin
North Africa
History
It is probable that the Barb horse emerged from crosses between Turkmenian and /or Caspian horses and descendants of Iberian horses along the coast of North Africa. The Barb was introduced into Europe in quantity by the Berber horsemen of the 8th century.
Although the Barb is not so widely recognized an influence as the Arabian, it has had a significant effect on the European and American breeds. The breedīs influence was perpetuated through its most important derivative, the Spanish horse of the 16th and 17th centuries.
The Barb horse possesses an incredible endurance and is a true desert horse, but a mountain type rather than a flat-land horse. Most of the habitat for this horse is at high altitude, mountainous desert. The Barb is surefooted and able to gallop headlong up and down steep ravines.
Description
- Head:
rather long with pronounced jaws and a straight or convex profile, lively eyes and curved, mobile ears - Conformation:
-the neck is muscular, of medium length with a natural arch
-the withers are prominent and long
-the back is short and straight
-the croup is sloped with a low-set tail
-the quarters are powerful with smooth muscling
-the shoulder is very long, sloping and well muscled
-the chest is long and very deep
-the legs are slender and solidly built-the hooves are small and well shaped with tough horn - Average heigt:
14-15 h.h. - Colours:
bay, brown, black, chestnut or grey - Temperament:
spirited, fiery, loyal - Today:
despite its importance as a progenitor of other breeds, the Barb has achieved less widespead renown than the Arab, no doubt because it lacks the Arabian Horse's unique visual appeal, being much less refined and generally less impressive in appearance. Nevertheless it is safer to acknowlege the Barb to be a horse of tremendous endurance and substance, able to withstand changes in climate and the hardship of fatigue, resistant to desease.
