Horse Breed Spotlight: The Arabian

The Arabian is a majestic horse. It is strong, with high endurance and a superb temperament. They are fast learners and are generally eager to please. These horses were often used to strengthen other lines, and as such contributed to many modern day breeds of horses.

Breed Characteristics:  Arabian horses have a wedge shaped head, often a bulge between the eyes (additional sinus capacity), a broad forehead, large nostrils and eyes, and small muzzles.  They should have an arched neck with a large windpipe on a clean throatlatch.  Otjher characteristics include a long croup and a tail carried high. Breed standards require solid bones and correct conformation.  They have superior endurance. The breed standard for size is between 14.1 and 15.1 hands, however they may fall long or short of this mark.  Coat colors may be bay, gray, chestnut, black or roan.  All have black skin (except under white markings) which helped protect them from the desert sun.

Temperament: Arabians have a temperament well suited to even child riders.  Originating in the desert, prized horses were often kept in the tents of their owners, and only those with a good temperament were bred.

Genetic Disorders:

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disorder (SCID): SCID works by disabling the foals immune system.  Most animals use a combination of T-cells and B-cells to fight disease. B-cells make antibodies, while T-cells directly attack cells harboring viruses and intracellular parasites.  SCID disables receptors in both the T and B cells, making it impossible for them to recognize dangerous foreign invaders. SCID foals will appear normal at birth, because they have received antibodies from their mother. Later, however, when maternal antibodies levels fall, the foal will be unprotected from infections.  SCID foals die before 5 months of age, usually from opportunistic infections.  Blood work can diagnose this condition in the foal.

Cerebellar Abiotrpohy: This is a condition in which a certain type of cell in the brain dies off and does not regenerate. Once the cell is lost, it is lost forever. Because these cells are involved in motor control, symptoms will include decreased balance and coordination.  This is a genetic condition, and signs will become apparent in the first 4-6 months of a foals life. Because the movement of animals affected witht his disease is unpredictable, it is important to note that they can be a danger to themselves and are generally unfit for riding. There is not cure for this disease, so it is important not to breed known carriers of cellular abiotrophy.

Lavender Foal Syndrome:  This disease is also called “Coat Color Dilution Lethal” because most affected foals are born with a lightened coat.  The coat will appear as a uniform lavender, silver, pink-grey or pale chestnut. This lavender coat is unique from both gray and roan foals. These foals will be unable to stand and are generally euthanized.  Lavender Foal Syndrome may be related to Juvenile Epilepsy of Arabian horses.

Juvenile Epilepsy: Unlike the above conditions, juvenile epilepsy is far from a death sentence to young horses. These foals are born normal, and appear normal in between epileptic episodes.  In fact, many foals outgrow this condition by 12 to 18 months of age. These foals will have clusters of seizures, often around 3 months of age. Symptoms will include blindness, confusion, head rubbing depression and decreased appetite. Anti-seizure medications can be used to lessen the severity of this condition.

Gutteral Pouch Tympany: This condition is often seen in colts and fillies up to 1 year of age.  The guttural pouch distends with air causing a swelling in the parotid region.  This condition is often non-painful, but can affect breathing patterns in horses. Diagnosis is made after clinical signs appear and a veterinarian takes a radiograph of the skull.  Treatments can range from non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and antimicrobials, to surgery for patients with incorrectly formed opening to the guttural pouch.

Occipto-Atlanto-Axial Malformation: In this disease, the fusion of cervical vertebrae causes compression of the spinal cord. Depending on the amount of compression, symptoms can range from the somewhat mild (incoordination) to severe (paralysis of all 4 limbs.) A radiograph is used to diagnose this condition in foals.

Look for a well bred horse, and be sure not to breed any horse that is a known carrier of disease.