The Barb horse is a compact, dry, muscular riding horse of square or slightly rectangular format. Height at withers 1420–1580 mm (optimal 1450–1550 mm), weight 360–450 kg. Body length 1480–1620 mm, chest girth 1650–1850 mm, cannon bone circumference 180–210 mm. The head is dry, medium-sized (450–520 mm), with a straight or slightly convex profile. Ears small (110–140 mm), erect. Eyes large, dark brown. Neck muscular (550–680 mm), high-set. Back short (480–550 mm), croup slightly sloping, often double. Chest deep (680–760 mm). Limbs dry, hind limbs often sickle-hocked. Hooves very strong, rounded. Tail low-set, thick. Coat fine, short, glossy, with undercoat in winter. Allowed colors: bay, black, chestnut, gray, brown, palomino, roan. Differs from the Arabian by a more square format, greater musculature, Roman nose, low tail, and sickle-hocked hind limbs. The standard requires proportionality (body length ≈ height at withers), chest depth ≥48–50% of height, allows moderate Roman nose and sickle hocks, disqualifies weak constitution, long back, height >1600 mm, pinto markings, weak hooves.