Libyan Barb Horse
The Libyan Barb horse is a dignified one. This horse can give a tough competition to the Arabian horse in the Sahara desert terrain where speed and distance both are concerned. As the name suggests, it belongs to Libya in North Africa. Though certain theories about the origin of this horse exist, but none of them can claim to be exact and true. Whatever may the theories say but it can not be denied that this horse is handsome and resourceful.
History of Libyan Barb Horse
The origin of the Libyan Barb horses in North Africa is found far back in the pages of early history of the domestication of the horse. It is said that when the Vandals have the lordship over North Africa in the 5th and 6th century A.D., the western horse of Roman nosed type came to North African region. It got mixed with the horse of the Tarpan type. The latter was domestically bred since the ancient times. After the Vandals were expelled from the region of their lordship, Moors arrived. On coming in the contact of this horse, they found it of great strength and exceptional hardiness. They bred it with the Arabian horses. They exposed the horse constantly to the desert climate and refined it so much that it became a favorite of all. The Libyan Barb horse of this day is the result of their efforts.
Physical Characteristics of Libyan Barb Horse
The Libyan Barb horse is a lightweight saddle horse of varying conformation. The head of this horse is not much refined and is rarely straight. The horse has a Roman nose. They have small eyes that are more oval shaped than round. Its nostrils are wide and are not exactly rounded. The face structure of this horse is longer and the jaws are not very broad. The neck is longer, lower set and habitually bent backwards. The back of this horse is long with sloping hindquarters and low set tail.
Height of Libyan Barb Horse
Libyan Barb horses attain the height of 14-15 hands high.
Body Color of Libyan Barb Horse
You can come across Libyan Barb horses that have black, brown, bay, chestnut or gray color.
Temperament of Libyan Barb Horse
The Libyan Barb horse is an active, intelligent, docile, frugal and enduring one.
Uses of Libyan Barb Horse
This horse is used as a racing horse because of its great speed. The horse is also used as a terrain riding horse and also as a horse for traveling long distances and leisure riding. It is an outstanding dressage horse as well.
The Libyan Barb horse is the common mount of North Africa. It is hardy and has abundant stamina. It can do well on poor fare and has ability as a sprinter. Though its bloodlines are aristocratic, it is much used as an everyday working animal and as such it is normally not selectively bred and so is not often anything out of the way to look at. The African nomadic Arabs knew well the excellence of these horses and cosseted them from getting mixed with the Arabian and the English Thoroughbred lest the Libyan Barb horse loses its originality.
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