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Starting Member
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Last Login: 6/13/2009 8:39:32 AM
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| I want to learn a little more about the Arabian from Arabian owners. I've been told that Arabians are "no good, high-strung, dangerous and should be avoided at all costs." I personally think they're very gorgeous. But then I heard that the "high-strung Arabian is a misconception. Arabians are really quite calm. Walter Farley's The Black Stallion (what a wild Arabian in that book!) and other books help to add to that misconception. I would only like answers from Arabian owners, or people who have had a good deal of experience with Arabian horses. I would like to try and purchase an Arabian some day, so I can try them out, but I don't want a maniac at my place. Thanks for your time in reading this post and responding to it!
Romeos Klassic DJ
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People tend to think that breed means everything. Yes, there will be little fiery arabians, but also calm ones. It really depends on the horse. Although I have a TB (yes, they have a bad name too, but mine is the best non-spooky trail horse ever), I sometimes ride a large pony Arabian in riding lessons.
She does tend to get a little excitable, but she's great. When we take her to shows people always remark that we have such a great little arabian. In fact, one lady said that she was going to have to go out and get one for herself after seeing her at the show. 
The most important thing before buying a horse is to find one that is right for your level and personality. Try it out multiple times before committing to anything so you can get to know it. Horses are like shoes - eventually you will find the perfect fit.
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| My Arabian is a bomb-proof champion show horse with tons of trail miles as well. She was more versatile than any QH I ever met. She won in WP, Hunter (flat and fences), Jumper, Reining, Showmanship, and a wide variety of speed classes (barrels, poles, flags, etc.) She is one of the most incredible horses I've ever had the chance to ride. Would try her heart out for me. She is more of a one person horse though. As in, you have to ride her correctly. Sure, she'll tote kids around for pony rides no problem but if you actually wanted to show her or anything you had to use her cues, or she would be pissy about it. Figure her out, and she is awesome.
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If you act like you've only got fifteen minutes, it'll take all day. Act like you've got all day and it'll take fifteen minutes.~ Monty Roberts
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Personally, I haven't had the best experiences with Arabians. I think in terms of breeding they can be a bit sensitive, and then you add in the pit bull effect, and you can get some real winners.
Definition: Pit Bull Effect: When certain types of people are attracted to certain breeds for bad reasons. I.e. people want pitbulls because they want to look like a bad*** when really they have no idea who to take care of a goldfish, let alone a pitbull (which DO require proper training/handling).
Take that onto Arabians, people with no horse sense want them because they're so purrrrtttyful. And then you have clueless owner + sensitive animal = whack job horse.
Additionally, Arabians tend not to be the best for the job I want them to do. They tend to jump with a rather flat back and have a so-so bascule, not the best for the hunter/jumper ring.
Society does not need more children; but it does need more loved children. Quite literally, we cannot afford unloved children - but we pay heavily for them every day. There should not be the slightest communal concern when a woman elects to destroy the life of her thousandth-of-an-ounce embryo. But all society should rise up in alarm when it hears that a baby that is not wanted is about to be born. ~Garrett Hardin
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| My husband is convinced my Arabian is plotting to kill him lol ;) I think he's just a nice horse who is young and has a lot of energy ;) Just like any breed of horse, each horse is an individual. There are lazy arabs, there are not lazy but quiet arabs, there are hyper arabs, there are nutjob arabs.
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[quote]Purcocious (6/8/2009)
She is more of a one person horse though. As in, you have to ride her correctly. Sure, she'll tote kids around for pony rides no problem but if you actually wanted to show her or anything you had to use her cues, or she would be pissy about it. Figure her out, and she is awesome.[/quote]
I agree. I don't have much experience with Arabs, but I've ridden a few that have been pretty calm. I wanted to comment, because I think TB's and Arabs are fairly similar. They have the same negative biases, and have similar conformation (although most TB's lack the dished face. Mine has a straight face but the Jibbah, or bulge in the forehead, that Arabs have). They are also very closely related, as TB's were created by crossing Arabian stallions with native English mares. But my horse (TB) is just like described above. They tend to be very one-person horses. Of course, all horses have different temperments regardless of breed, but most breeds have a characteristic that is seen in most horses of that breed. Arabs and TB's tend to be one-person horses.
This can be good and bad. It can be bad because it will be difficult for anyone else except the owner (or person the horse is close to, hopefully it is the owner!) to ride, or even handle the horse. But it can be great, because the owner can have an incredible bond with the horse, like the bond between the Black Stallion and Alec. I have that kind of bond with my TB.
Like a horse in open country, they did not stumble. ~Isaiah 63:13
But ask the animals, and they will teach you ~Job 12:7a
"You don't throw a whole life away, just 'cause it's beat up a little" ~ Tom Smith, Seabiscuit's trainer
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I would agree with Misfit and Purcocious.
They are usually one person type horses, as was the intention of their breeding. I remember reading about the history of the breed as a kid and the family's arabian was seen as the pride of the family and would sleep in the tent with them.
At the same time they HYPE-HYPE-HYPER!!!! Never met an arabian that was completely mellow like most QHs. Not saying that QHs are better, just different. However this energy makes them fabulous for things like endurance riding.
Also, like Misfit pointed out, Arabians tend to be springier over the jump with less style than typical TBs. That's not saying they can't do it, it's just less common to so an arab with proper style.
Now when it comes down to it, would I want an arabian. Not so much. I've ridden several arabians and unless they had constant work (not just 24/7 turnout with the occasional ride) they tend to get a little neurotic. Plus, I'm 6' and look a little ridiculous on toothpick arabian...
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*~Whiskey~*
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Misfit Style (6/8/2009)
Definition: Pit Bull Effect: When certain types of people are attracted to certain breeds for bad reasons. I.e. people want pitbulls because they want to look like a bad*** when really they have no idea who to take care of a goldfish, let alone a pitbull (which DO require proper training/handling).
Take that onto Arabians, people with no horse sense want them because they're so purrrrtttyful. And then you have clueless owner + sensitive animal = whack job horse.
I have to say this is probably the number one reason they are unliked. The Arabians that are trained with professionals and are started and trained correctly tend to be awesome (aka: Perky lol), whereas the people who are idiots who think 'oooh, pretty pony' tend to be the ones that give Arabians a bad name (aka: crazy Arab). Arabs are incredibly smart, and they don't put up with BS. So you put people who only train BS with a smart Arab that's gonna take advantage of them and it never ends well. As in, Parelli crap doesn't work on them...at all lol. That being said, this situation can happen in any breed with any horse, but I think due to Arabians being more sensitive in general, they are less likely to put up with it than a lot of, say, QHs or Paints would.
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If you act like you've only got fifteen minutes, it'll take all day. Act like you've got all day and it'll take fifteen minutes.~ Monty Roberts
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[quote]Swing_Away111 (6/8/2009)
[quote]Purcocious (6/8/2009)
She is more of a one person horse though. As in, you have to ride her correctly. Sure, she'll tote kids around for pony rides no problem but if you actually wanted to show her or anything you had to use her cues, or she would be pissy about it. Figure her out, and she is awesome.[/quote]
I agree. I don't have much experience with Arabs, but I've ridden a few that have been pretty calm. I wanted to comment, because I think TB's and Arabs are fairly similar. They have the same negative biases, and have similar conformation (although most TB's lack the dished face. Mine has a straight face but the Jibbah, or bulge in the forehead, that Arabs have). They are also very closely related, as TB's were created by crossing Arabian stallions with native English mares. But my horse (TB) is just like described above. They tend to be very one-person horses. Of course, all horses have different temperments regardless of breed, but most breeds have a characteristic that is seen in most horses of that breed. Arabs and TB's tend to be one-person horses.
This can be good and bad. It can be bad because it will be difficult for anyone else except the owner (or person the horse is close to, hopefully it is the owner!) to ride, or even handle the horse. But it can be great, because the owner can have an incredible bond with the horse, like the bond between the Black Stallion and Alec. I have that kind of bond with my TB.[/quote]
I thought you couldn't breed for personality?
Also, I've never found TBs and Arabians to be that similar confo-wise. Arabians are smaller, more compact and rounder (Arabians = wide), where as TBs are tall, lanky and generally more suited to the hunter/jumper stuff than arabs are.
Pur: I think the thing about seeing it more with Arabs is that Arabians are attractive to the non-horsey people (not that they aren't attractive to horsey people... you know what I mean). I mean, the dished face, and the sterotype of the black stallion and flowing mane and tail... "oooh purty, I want an Ay-rab!"
Unfortunately for the horses, arabians attract crazies.
Society does not need more children; but it does need more loved children. Quite literally, we cannot afford unloved children - but we pay heavily for them every day. There should not be the slightest communal concern when a woman elects to destroy the life of her thousandth-of-an-ounce embryo. But all society should rise up in alarm when it hears that a baby that is not wanted is about to be born. ~Garrett Hardin
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| As with all breeds, certain lines tend to produce certain personalities. I know enough whackjob arabs that are so ONLY BECAUSE THEIR HUMANS DON'T UNDERSTAND THEM!!! And some just seem to be born high-strung. I have also ridden arabs in competitive trail and they are phenomenal. There ARE quiet Arabs. But, the trouble with them is......they are really, really smart. You had better be on your game when you work with them. They get bored easy and are constantly looking for something interesting. And you better not try to manhandle them.....they WILL get you back. But, those with experience, or at least intuitive empathyand lots of patience, can turn a looney-tune into something nice (would not suggest trying this unless you've have a lot of time and work with other breeds). Like said earlier......they do tend to be a one-person horse, and will not perform for others like they do with their owners. Arabs have such a short back (that 1 less vertabrae) that it makes it more difficult to show them, especially when you are tall. I have trouble really regulating along with their movements because they are so short/quick. This is not a dig.....it just is for me. Smaller people don't seem to have that problem. Presently I breed Percherons.....and most of mine have retained the Arab features that founded them (The Godolphin Arab and local horses from LaPerche France). Those that have the short backs are much more difficult for me to ride (yes, I ride as well as drive them). Personally I LOVE the personality the Arab has given them.....they tend to be firey, yet willing to please. However, to be truthful, I would NOT suggest an Arab for a 1st horse for you.....or maybe even a 4th or 5th. Unless you grew up around them, you most likely can not even begin to understand and anticipate them!
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