Breeding of Arabian Purebred (AP) Horses in Slovenia began in the late 1980s, when the first breeding stallions and mares were imported from abroad. The aim of this thesis was to describe the AP horse population in Slovenia and to assess its population structure, relatedness, and level of inbreeding. We analysed pedigree data and country of origin, that we obtained from stud book in Central register of Equidae. After verification and harmonization of pedigree records, 3378 animals were included in the analyses of relatedness and inbreeding. Data analyses were performed using the R statistical software. The AP horse population in Slovenia has increased over the last two decades, accompanied by an increasing number of breeding animals and foals born in Slovenia, indicating that the national population is strengthening. Analysis of animal origin revealed a heterogeneous population structure, with the highest influence originating from horses born in the United States of America and Poland between 1970 and 1990. The average maximum number of traced generations was 4.18, the average equivalent of complete generations was 2.57, and the average pedigree completeness index was 49.3%. The average inbreeding coefficient (F) was 1.28%, with 32.8% of animals being inbred. Both the inbreeding coefficient and the proportion of inbred animals increased with pedigree completeness, suggesting that the actual level of inbreeding in the population is likely underestimated.
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