The Arabian horse is one of the oldest and purest horse breeds in the world. It is a horse of medium height (height at withers 142–155 cm, ideal 148–152 cm), weighing 400–500 kg, with an exceptionally dry constitution, pronounced oriental type and high breed purity. The build is harmonious, of square format (body length 140–148 cm approximately equal to height at withers), with very dry tissues, pronounced muscle relief, short strong back, compact deep body, high set neck and tail. The head is small (480–550 mm), with a characteristic concave (“pike” or “swan”) profile, wide forehead sharply tapering to the muzzle, large convex “deer” eyes, large mobile nostrils, small thin ears (90–110 mm). The neck is long (650–750 mm), high set, with a “swan” curve. The limbs are dry with relief tendons, short metacarpus (180–210 mm), pasterns 45–55 mm. The skin is very thin, elastic. The coat is thin, silky, shiny, tightly fitting. Acceptable colors: bay, gray (all shades), chestnut (including golden), black. Not allowed: roan, piebald, cream, dun, buckskin, abundant white spots on the body. It differs from the base type by dryness, oriental type of head, high set neck and tail, short back, compact body with long neck. Ideal proportions: height at withers ≈ body length, head length ≈ 1/3 height at withers, neck length ≈ 1.5 head length, chest depth 65–72 % of height at withers. Disqualifying faults: coarse heavy head, straight or Roman-nosed head without oriental type, low set neck, long weak back, sickle hock, low set tail, coarse skin and coat.