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Colors and Markings The Arabian Horse Association recognizes the coat colors of bay, gray, chestnut, black, and roan. Arabians also can have white facial markings and socks or stockings on their legs.

Arabians have important skeletal differences from other breeds. Arabian horses don't just look like they have shorter backs than other horses; they actually do. This is because they have one fewer vertebrae than other horses, as well as one less pair of ribs.

Ears should be small, triangular and alert. Arabians are a fine type breed, so they are just that—more fine. The horse should not have any odd protrusions or “rough edges.” A horse that has an overall coarse look is not desirable in this discipline.

AHA is the official Arabian horse breed association and registry in the U.S. and Canada, with 16,600 members and more than 1 million registered Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses.

The Arabian Sport Horse performance classes are held just like a normal under saddle class, entering the ring counterclockwise. They are to be shown at the walk, trot, canter and hand gallop both ways of the ring and to stand quietly and back readily.

The 5 main categories assessed in the point system are type, head and neck, body and topline, legs, and movement. The score for each category reflects the judge's subjective impression of the horse, and the potential presence of conformation faults.

In fact, Arabian horse owners were known to share their tents with their steeds, as if they were members of the family. The Prophet Muhammad himself urged his followers to treat their Arabian horses with respect and kindness.

Judges usually look for a combination of balance, structure, muscling, gait, and breed-specific features. Practice comparing different parts of horses to hone your skills.