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The majestic Arabian horse has swept the globe, but their desert cousins still harbor a genetic diversity not seen elsewhere in the world, according to researchers.

Arabian horses are renowned for their athleticism, endurance and natural beauty — qualities which resulted in breeding stock being exported over the centuries to virtually every corner of the equestrian globe.

Now, a major new study has delved into the genetic diversity of the historic breed, shedding new light on its origins.

The findings include surprising revelations, including the likelihood that the founding “Arabians” that gave rise to the Thoroughbred were Oriental breeds, but probably not Arabians.

They also found that while the global genetic diversity of the breed was good, that was not necessarily the case within important subgroups, in which breeding for certain traits has likely taken a genetic toll.

They also found evidence suggesting some... More