Barb, easily confused?

We think of this as a Spanish breed but the Barb comes from North Africa. When brought to Europe they were confused with a Middle Eastern breed, the Arab, because the owners of both breeds were mostly Arabic speakers. 

The Barb

 

As someone mostly descended from Northern Europeans I find that really embarrassing.

Barbs are small horses, mostly under 15.2 (62 inches) with a high head and withers and a sloping croup with a straight shoulder.

 

It doesn’t look anything like an Arab.

The Arab

The Barb isn’t known for strong gaits but is a fantastic sprinter and has been used to develop Thoroughbreds Standardbreds. The Barb and Jennet were both influential in the development of Quarter Horses, Appaloosa and the Mustang.