With its robust thorax and elongated lines, the Anglo-Arabian is a dolichomorphic horse, morphologically suited to equestrian sports, particularly in the disciplines of show jumping and full riding. More accustomed to fast gaits than to tests of strength, it is also (increasingly) a protagonist in races at Italian racecourses.
The typical breeding area of the Anglo-Arabian is Sardinia, where it lives in a semi-wild state in small herds, mainly consisting of two or three mares.
The origins of this breed can be traced back to the East-Asian stock. In Italy, the first mares were continuously improved with the use of imported Arab stallions (as documented by the establishment of the "Stallion Depot" in Ozieri, in the province of Sassari) and with the subsequent use of Anglo-Arabian-French stallions. The establishment of the selected stud stations in 1915 had the fundamental objective of identifying that material which, due to genealogy and external conformation, was best suited to inducing in the products those characteristics of the perfect saddle horse typical of the Arabian, combined with those deriving from the typical Sardinian environment.
Ethnic features: slender and proportioned forms; strong and robust constitution with harmonious skeletal and muscular development, enlivened by the right temperament and moderate neuroticism. Extraordinary bottom, remarkable speed, remarkable balance and somatic precocity which is not excessively pushed. Sexual precocity is also remarkable, associated with high prolificacy. Exceptional acclimatisation power.
Biometric data: The size ranges from a minimum of 1.58 metres to about 1.70 metres in the most representative individuals. The shank perimeter is between 20 and 22 centimetres, the weight ranges from 450 to 600 kg.
Coat: The Anglo-Arabian's coat is made up of fine, short, silky hairs; it is usually bay or saurian, rarely grey.
Head: Light, square, with a straight profile. Well attached, very mobile and expressive. The ears are small and mobile, the eye is level, lively and large and the nostrils appear wide and mobile. From the whole one gets a pleasant impression of lively intelligence, mixed with grace and pride.
Neck: Light, muscular, well attached and well carried.
Trunk: The withers are wide and well pronounced, the shoulder long and oblique, the line of the lumbar back is horizontal; the kidneys are short and muscular, the croup proportionate and of right inclination, the tail rich in horsehair, perfectly set in the harmony of the forms and well carried. The chest is broad, the thorax broad and deep with well arched ribs. Finally, the abdomen is rather retracted.
Limbs: Typical characteristic of the Anglo-Arabian are the solid limbs, with wide and thick joints. The tendons are well separated and sharp, the fetlocks of right inclination and length. The hooves are well proportioned, with hooves of excellent quality. The loins are regular.
Skin: Thin, elastic, covered with short, fine and silky hairs. The manes are long and abundant.
Functional aptitude: Suitable for the saddle. Strong aptitude for equestrian sports, due to physical and mental characteristics.
