King Abdulaziz Arabian Horse Center at Dirab

Historical background King Abdulaziz Arabian Horse Center at Dirab

The history of the Arab Horses in the Arabian Peninsula goes back to the Middle Ages. From there they spread to the entire world, and were praised in various activities to serve humanity. Prehistoric rock art depicts the horse throughout the Arabian Peninsula and the Near East, and horses are gracefully portrayed in frescoes from the ancient Arabian Kingdoms. The Arabian horse is one of Saudi Arabia’s greatest cultural treasures. With the spread of Islam in the seventh century, and the visits of easterners and traders in the Arab regions during the reign of the Ottoman Empire, the world got to know the Arabian horse. Kings and princes from Europe had such an admiration for the Arabian Horse that, during the 17th and 18th centuries, they sent expeditions to select the best Arabian Horses in tribes like Najd or Hejaz and transport them to their countries. These Arab horses were then bred with the local horses, creating new breeds used for many different activities including horse racing. The Arab horses became famous for their beauty and strength. History shows how much the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia treasures the Arabian horse as being important to its heritage. The Arabian horse played a very special role in many historical events; in the early twentieth century, King Abdulaziz al Saud founded the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he was the last ruler in history to unite a country on horseback.