The different Arabian types
There are several types, Egyptian, Crabbet (english), Polish, Domestic, Babson, Spanish and Russian.
Egyptian - The Egyptian Arabian is the 'original' Arabian horse, originated from the Arabian penisula. It is considered to be the world's oldest equine breed, with horses that resemble modern Egyptian Arabians dating back more than 4000 years. It is said to be the purest, and to be the 'mother' or substance behind all the different strains.
Crabbet (english) - A 'Crabbet' is a special type of Arabian horse that is descended from those bred at the world famous Crabbet Arabian Stud set up by Lady Anne and Wilfrid Blunt. It is noted for its height, as they generally stand taller than any other strain within the Arabian horse breed. A pure Crabbet has 75% or over Crabbet Stud bloodlines, a straight Crabbet has 100%.
Polish - Arabian horses were introduced to Poland in the 16th century via prizes of war. It was not until the 19th century that organized pure-bred breeding was established. It was decimated during the two world wars, leading to the loss of breed registry and the vast majority of the livestock. In 1926, a studbook was created and a dedicated breeding society. Breeding resumed in the 1940-1950s, based on a small group of surviving breeding stock.
Domestic (American) - Heavily based on Crabbet, the Domestic Arabian is not too different from that of most Americans - lots of English, with strains from other nations thrown in. Even though the colonists brought "oriental" stallions from England to upgrade their Thoroughbred stock, these owners did not breed purebred Arabians.
Babson - The horses that would provide the basis for what is known today as the “Straight Babson”was mainy of egyptian and Crabbet background.
Spanish - Based on mostly egyptian blood but also some polish and in the begining the Spanish warhorse (Arabian/Barb horses on the Iberian stock). Spanish Arabians whose lineage can be traced to entries in the Registro Matricula before 1970 are referred to as Classical Spanish. Due to heavy line breeding and a closed gene pool, the Classical Spanish have remained distinctive in type, and breed true.
Russian - This strain originates from Northern Caucasus, where Count S.A. Stroganov introduced the first stock of purebred Arabians. They imported horses from all over the world. The first horses at the stud were French, Crabbet, Polish and later Egyptian Arabians. From those, the Russians bred their own strain. Pure 'Straight Russian Arabians' must trace all their lines to horses purchased and/or bred by the Tersk Stud in Russia.