The Barb is considered native in Algeria and their strain of these mighty bloodlines are incredibly handsome. Built for war in the desert, Barbs have a style all their own and the Algerian Barb rivals the Moroccan Barb for their handsome bearing (in our opinion).
A Little Backstory
The origin story for Barb horses probably depends who you ask. They have been bred for so long, their true cradle has likely been lost to living memory for a very long time. Some modern Algerian breeders can probably trace lineage of their strains back dozens of years, if not centuries. Barb (and Arabians) have long been bred by nomadic cultures, relying more on traditional practices than written documentation.
Due to this specific style of breeding, there is a wide variety of types found within the breed in the nation. Arabian blood is common, as is a combination of the two breeds. They range from the more stout, robust traditional Barb type to a larger, rangier type which may have Arabian (or even Thoroughbred?) influence.
What Makes Them Special
Barbs are special, no matter which country claims to be the true cradle. Their noble, warhorse bearing is evident from Algeria all the way to feral mustangs found in the deserts, mountains and plains of both American continents.
Quick Facts
Native to Algeria.
There doesn’t appear to be an official studbook kept.
They are listed in the DAD-IS and the most recent population data was in 1986 when there were 38000 animals.