The Arabian horse is a breed of horse with a reputation for intelligence, spirit, and stamina. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is one of the oldest horse breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses that resemble modern Arabians dating back 4,500 years. Arabian bloodlines have played a part in the development of nearly every modern light horse breed, including the Thoroughbred. Today, people cross Arabians with other breeds to add refinement, endurance, agility and beauty.