Horse breed
Anglo-Arabe
The Anglo-Arabian is a French breed resulting from the cross between the English Thoroughbred and the Arabian Thoroughbred. The first crosses occurred in the 19th century, particularly in Southwest France.
The breed at a glance
The Anglo-Arabian is renowned for its willing, courageous, and intelligent temperament. It is energetic and responsive, but generally well-balanced and people-oriented, making it an excellent working partner for an experienced rider.
- Category
- sport horse
- Origin
- France · 19th century
- Height at withers
- 158–165 cm
- Weight
- 450–550 kg
- Lifespan
- 25-30 years
- Common coats
- bay, chestnut, grey
- Disciplines
- Eventing (CCE), Show Jumping (CSO), Dressage, Flat and jump racing
- Other names
- Anglo-Arabian
Origin and history
The Anglo-Arabian is a French breed resulting from the cross between the English Thoroughbred and the Arabian Thoroughbred. The first crosses occurred in the 19th century, particularly in Southwest France. The objective was to combine the speed and size of the Thoroughbred with the endurance, robustness, and elegance of the Arabian. The studbook was created in 1833, and the breed is recognized for its athletic abilities.
Conformation and physique
It is a hot-blooded horse, elegant and athletic, of medium to large build. It has fine but strong bone structure, with lean and well-defined musculature, typical of sport horses.
The head is refined and expressive, often with a straight or slightly concave profile, a legacy of the Arabian. The eyes are large and lively, the ears well-shaped and mobile.
The neck is long, well-set, and muscular, blending harmoniously into prominent and extended withers, promoting balance and flexibility.
The back is short and strong, the topline taut and muscular. The chest is deep and wide, ensuring good respiratory capacity. The croup is long, muscular, and slightly sloped.
The limbs are long, refined, and clean, with well-defined joints and clearly visible tendons. The cannons are short and the feet well-formed, without feathering.
- Common coats: bay, chestnut, grey
Temperament and aptitudes
The Anglo-Arabian is renowned for its willing, courageous, and intelligent temperament. It is energetic and responsive, but generally well-balanced and people-oriented, making it an excellent working partner for an experienced rider.
The gaits are expansive, supple, energetic, and balanced, with good hindquarter engagement. The canter is particularly airy and powerful, ideal for speed and jumping disciplines.
- Uses: war horse (historical), racehorse, sport horse (show jumping, eventing, dressage), leisure horse
- Disciplines: Eventing (CCE), Show Jumping (CSO), Dressage, Flat and jump racing, Endurance
Feeding the Anglo-Arabe
The Anglo-Arab is a demanding athlete, requiring a balanced and energy-rich diet to support its performance. It has a fast metabolism. It needs good quality forage ad libitum, supplemented with concentrates adapted to its activity level, rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. Particular attention should be paid to fiber intake for digestive health.
The Anglo-Arab has no documented predispositions to specific dietary sensitivities such as EMS or PSSM. However, like any sport horse, it can be prone to digestive disorders (ulcers, colic) in cases of stress or an unsuitable diet (too many concentrates, insufficient fiber).
With Equio, every feed, supplement or treat is read against the horse's real profile (age, weight, Body Condition Score, conditions) — useful for a Anglo-Arabe as soon as a metabolic or digestive sensitivity is known.
Health and points to watch
Regular monitoring of the musculoskeletal system is essential, particularly the joints and tendons, due to its intensive athletic use. Stress management and an appropriate diet are crucial for preventing digestive disorders.
- More frequent conditions: locomotor disorders (tendinitis, osteoarthritis) due to the intensity of athletic effort, gastric ulcers
Care and grooming
The care for an Anglo-Arab is similar to that of any sport horse. Regular and appropriate hoof trimming or shoeing is essential for its often fine feet. Its mane, tail, and coat are easy to maintain, requiring daily brushing. Clipping is common in winter for horses in intense work.
Did you know?
- The Anglo-Arab is the only sport horse breed whose studbook is managed by the French state (via the IFCE).
- To be registered as an Anglo-Arab, a horse must have at least 25% Arabian and/or Thoroughbred blood.
- Many international champions in Eventing and Show Jumping are Anglo-Arabs or have Anglo-Arab blood.
The Anglo-Arabe and how to track it
The Anglo-Arab is an iconic breed in France, where it is bred with passion and success. It is highly present in high-level equestrian disciplines and valued for its athletic qualities and elegance.
Equio lets you build a complete profile for a Anglo-Arabe: identity, weight, Body Condition Score, feeding, conditions, care reminders (vaccines, worming, trimming) and an exportable health log. The breed sets the identity; everyday decisions still depend on the real horse and your vet's advice.
- Record the activity level: rest, leisure, sport or breeding
- Add known conditions or sensitivities
- Scan feeds, plants and care products
- Keep reminders (vaccines, worming, trimming)
- Prepare a PDF export before a vet appointment
Frequently asked questions
Is the Anglo-Arab a good horse for a beginner?
Due to its energetic temperament and responsiveness, the Anglo-Arab is generally better suited for an experienced or supervised rider. It requires a sensitive hand and a good understanding of its nature to express its full potential.
What is the difference between an Anglo-Arab and a Thoroughbred?
The Anglo-Arab is a cross between the English Thoroughbred and the Arabian Thoroughbred, combining the qualities of both. The English Thoroughbred is taller and faster over short distances, while the Arabian brings endurance, hardiness, and elegance. The Anglo-Arab is often more versatile than the Thoroughbred.
Is the Anglo-Arab hardy?
Yes, the Anglo-Arab is renowned for its hardiness and resilience, inherited from the Arabian Thoroughbred. It is capable of enduring intense efforts and recovering quickly, making it an excellent sport and endurance horse.
What is the average price of an Anglo-Arab?
The price of an Anglo-Arab varies considerably depending on its age, lineage, training level, and athletic abilities. A young, unbroken horse may cost a few thousand euros, while a proven sport horse with good breeding can reach several tens of thousands of euros.
Is the Anglo-Arab suitable for endurance?
Absolutely. Thanks to its Arabian heritage, the Anglo-Arab possesses remarkable endurance, great resilience, and good recovery ability, making it highly performant in the discipline of equestrian endurance.