Cheopian Horses
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D&D Stats

                       Light Horse/Light Warhorse
   Size and Type       Large Animal
   Hit Dice:           3d8+6 (19 hp)/3d8+9 (22 hp)
   Initiative:         +1 (Dex)
   Speed:              60 ft.
   AC:                 13/14 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +3/4 natural)
   Attacks:            2 hooves +2 melee / 2 hooves +4; bite -1 melee
   Damage:             Hoof 1d4+1 / Hoof 1d4+3; bite 1d3+1
   Face/Reach:         5 x 10 ft. with 5 ft. reach
   Special Qualities:  Scent
   Saves:              Fort +5/+6, Ref +4, Will +2
   Abilities:          Str 13/16, Dex 13, Con 15/17, Int 2, Wis 12/13, Cha 6
   Skills:             Listen +6/+7, Spot +6/+7
   Climate/Terrain:    Any land
   Organization:       Solitary
   Challenge Rating:   1
   Treasure:           None
   Alignment:          Always neutral
   Advancement:        -

Light Horse A light horse cannot fight while carrying a rider. Carrying Capacity: A light load for a light horse is up to 150 pounds; a medium load, 151-300 pounds; a heavy load, 301-450 pounds. A light horse can drag 2,250 pounds.

Light Warhorse A light warhorse can fight while carrying a rider, but the rider cannot also attack unless he or she succeeds at a Ride check (DC 10). Carrying Capacity: A light load for a light warhorse is up to 230 pounds; a medium load, 231-460 pounds; a heavy load, 461-690 pounds. A light warhorse can drag 3,450 pounds.


Cheopian Horses are purebred Egyptian Arabians

Here is some factual history of the breed. Before the dawn of recorded history, four species of horse roamed the earth: Equus prezewalskii, the steppe horse of Central Asia; Equus tarpanus, the dun-colored horse of Russia; Equus robustus, the slow, cold-blooded horse of Europe; and Equus agillis, the hot-blooded horse of Arabia and Africa. All modern breeds developed from a blending of these species. Only one species, Equus agilis, exists in its pure state today as the Arabian horse. For this reason, the Arabian is a breed as well as a distinct sub-species of horse.

The Egyptian Arabian is never mistaken for another breed. It is the root from which all light breeds sprang. It captures the soul as no other can, and is favored by artist, photographers, historians and poets over all others. While it lends its fine qualities to others, the straight Egyptian Arabian remains virtually unaltered since the beginning of history.

Nobody knows when exactly the breed appeared on earth, but it may have been more than 40,000 years ago. The late Professor Henry Fairfield Osborn of the American Museum of Natural History said the Arabian horse was clearly portrayed on the walls of limestone caves along with other animals of the hunt between 25,000 and 40,000 years ago. The oldest documentation of the Arabian horse was a fine carving uncovered in a cave in Turkey. It depicts a leaping, fine-headed horse of pure Arabian type, its mane flowing and tail carried high. Scientific data places this at 8000 BC.

A study of the pharaonic horses of the tombs and temples of Egypt places the horse in use in Egypt as early as 1580 BC and show unmistakable strain characteristics. These relief paintings appear to be actual portraits of horses that must have existed. The Straight Egyptian is the blending of strains of pure, undisputed, Desert heritage.

The Pharaoh Thotmose III (1504-1450 BC) and his son Amenophis, “could not be overtaken in races,” in large scale military use of the horses of Egypt. Ramses II credits his horses for saving his life in battle against the Hittites. His own words reflect his devotion and appreciation for their valor as he proclaimed, “Henceforth their food shall be given them before me each day when I am in my palace ....”

The first and most famous Arabian breeders were the tribesmen of Arabia known as Bedouins. They valued the Arabian horse above all other possessions because it was crucial to their survival and prosperity. The horse was servant, transportation, comrade in battle and friend. The breed built up incredible endurance and strength by carrying heavy loads for its master across miles of hot desert sand.

The Bedouins were ruthlessly selective and careful in their breeding programs. They placed the greatest emphasis on performance, concentrating on stamina, soundness, speed, disposition and loyalty. They allowed only the finest specimens to reproduce. All of these factors have given Arabians the purest bloodlines.

Arabian mares were prized above all because they were the key to producing valuable horses, and they were fearless in battle. A well-documented story tells of a mare who picked up her wounded master by his clothes and carried him to safety. Quieter than stallions, mares were essential to tribal raids. A Bedouin would not part with his mare except under dire circumstances. To sell a mare was the greatest of tragedies.

Already loved, admired, and cherished by the noblest of men and the desert nomad, Arabian horses became even more cherished when the Islamic prophet Mohammed made them a cornerstone in his Holy Wars. He taught that “every man shall love his horse.” Bedouin warriors when mounted on their finest Arabian steed, proved to be invincible as Islam's power spread throughout the civilized world. The extraordinary horsemen, the Mamelukes, swept over Egypt. Their ruler, Ahmad Ibn Tuleu, (1193-1250) built palatial gardens and a magnificent hippodrome to house his collection of the choicest Arabian horses.

Saladin's horses, who prevented Richard the Lion Hearted from conquering Egypt, were hailed by Sir Walter Scott. He writes in “The Talisman”: “They spurned the sand from behind them -- they seemed to devour the desert before them -- miles flew away with minutes, yet their strength seemed unabated . . . “

In 1279-1382, Sultan Nacer Mohamed Ibn Kalaoun, was obsessed with obtaining the choicest Arabian horses and built an equally impressive Hippodrome for their comfort. Price was no object. For a single mare, he paid the equivalent of $5,600,000.00 plus land. These horses were indisputably the most beautiful, courageous and exquisite horses in the world. Solomon, King of Isreal, built 40,000 stalls for his Arabian horses.

Love of this breed has persisted over the centuries and grown to include devotees accross many nations of the modernday world. Today the organization, The Pyramid Society, is a well-organized nucleus for the preservation of the purebred Egyptian Arabian horse. It, and its members, work tirelessly to perpetuate the straight Egyptian and offer its advantage to breeders of other bloodlines through the Egyptian Related program. The Mecca for Egyptian breeders is the annual, “Egyptian Event.” It occurs each June at the Lexington Kentucky Horse Park, which also houses it’s offices. Here one can see the cream of the current breeding programs, attend seminars and enjoy the ongoing hospitality of the various breeding farms.

The purity of the Egyptian Arabian horse has endured from the beginning of history. The fittest have survived centuries of battles, and harsh use across torrid Desert sand. It has earned respect with its great beauty, intelligence, strength, courage, and stamina. Gold has adorned its head and he has walked on carpets of silk. It has slept in the tents of its owners and taken food before kings and pharaoh’s.




General Characteristics:

The Arabian horse is known for its stamina, grace, noble shape and outlook, adaptability, affectionate nature and intelligence. It is handsome in appearance and action.


Durability:

The elegant Arabian's dished head, large eyes, arched neck, high tail carriage, flaring nostrils and delicate muzzle that could "fit into a teacup" have long made the breed a favorite subject for painters and sculptors, but don't let the beautiful features fool you. The Arabian horse's characteristics make it just as athletic as it is attractive: Arabian horses were bred to perform under harsh desert conditions and keep going beyond the point of exhaustion. This has given the breed incredible stamina and courage. World-wide they hold records in endurance riding with the best completing 100 miles races in less than 10 hours.


Behavior

Other Characteristics: As herd animals, horses have highly developed social behaviors that help hold the group together and maintain the ranking of each individual within the group. Horses have a basic instinct to form fixed friendship bonds with other members of their group. Mares in feral herds or farm groups invariably pair off with particular other mares. These pairs often engage in mutual grooming, which involves standing side by side and head to tail while each one scratches the other's neck and back with her teeth. As with all group animals, horses establish and defend a strict pecking order, which helps them avoid constant fighting over access to food, water, and mates. They respond to subtle social signals, such as pinned-back ears, which signal aggressiveness. Most communication between horses takes the form of physical gestures rather than sounds.

Some consider the Arabian the most intelligent of all breeds of horse. Its shield-like bulge between the eyes, called the jibbah is said to allow for greater brain capacity. The Arabian possesses a long memory, quick comprehension, alert curiosity, resourcefulness and sociability. Centuries of close relationships with humans have given Arabians a friendly, loyal disposition, marked by a desire to please their master. They enjoy playing with people as much as horses.


Speed

Records: The world speed record for a horse is 43.2 mph, it was set by a four year old race horse named Big Racket. The world record for jumping is 8 ft tall, set by an ex-racehorse named Huaso.

Action: The Arabian horse's action is characterized by a "floating" movement, with the horse moving as though on invisible springs, and with great freedom. In the trot it takes free, straight strides, but the gallop is its natural pace. It has the stamina to maintain speed for exceptionally long periods. In January 2000 the Abu Dhabi one-day 100 mile race was won by a 10 year old Purebred Arab gelding, Ben Saloe, at an astonishing average speed of 12.71 mph!

Height, Weight and Life Cycle

The height of a horse is measured in 'hands', where the width of a persons hand is considered to be four inches. 16.3 hh (hands high) is 16 hands and 3 inches. The horse is measured from its withers (shoulder) to the ground. Arabians are typically 14.1 to 15 hands high - just shy of 5 feet. This is slightly smaller than many other breeds. In good trim, they will weigh between 900 and 1000 pounds. The Arabian consistently outlives other breeds. Most Arabians are in their prime at 20 years old, and many live well past 30.


Nose to Tail

Coat: The Arabians were originally chestnut and bay, but can now be found in most strong solid colors, and many are grey. The skin is dark, and the mane and tail and fine and silky. Both the mane and tail tend to be sparse in comparison to most other breeds. The Arabian gets its Arabian name, Kohl-ani, from its beautiful skin and eyes. Kohl is the bluish-black substance that Eastern beauties were using on their eyebrows, eyelashes and eyelids before the days of Cleopatra. The Arabian's skin is the same bluish-black color as kohl, and its eyes are naturally defined in the same way people artificially shadowed their eyes.

Conformation: The head is very short, and very refined. The face is pronouncedly "dished", or concave. A straight face is not desirable. The muzzle is small and tapered. Nostrils are very large, and can flare very widely when the horse is excited or exerting itself. The eyes are very large, and placed lower in the head than in other breeds. The ears are small, fine, and curve inwards. A distinctive feature of the Arabian head is the jibbah, which is the forehead which exhibits a bulge between the eyes up to a point between the ears and down across the first third of the nasal bone and so forms a shield shape. Equally distinctive is the mitbah, which refers to the angle at which the head meets the neck. The desired angle forms a particularly arched curve. The back is short and very slightly concave. The croup is long and level. Ribs are well rounded and the chest is broad. The tail is set into the croup at the highest level so that it is carried arched and high when the Arabian is moving. The Arabian horse's conformation is unique, because it has 17 ribs, 5 lumbar bones and 16 tail vertebrae. Other breeds have 18 ribs, 6 lumbar bones and 18 tail vertebrae. The Arabian horse's limbs should be hard and clean with well defined tendons. The feet should be near perfect in shape and size.



Links:
Egyptian/Arabian Horse History
Egyptian/Arabian Horse Names
Horse Anatomy/Markings/Breeds
Detailed 4H Basics of Horses