arabian horses.

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midi

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Hello, newbie here. (can't sleep lol)

Was just wondering could anyone share their experiences with Arabian horses? I’ve always loved this breed, after about 2 years break from the horse world my love of horses was rekindled few months ago after randomly stumbling across some YouTube videos of the trainer Ali Al-Ameri (lol)

I’d love to perhaps own an Arab in the distant future/one day when I’m more experienced with horse ownership, I hope to buy my first horse next year.
From what I hear some people have had very strong bonds with these horses, very rewarding etc and to me this is the most important thing I’d like to have.

However Arabs don’t’ seem to be that popular in England from what I can see, and in my experience most people I've met only have bad things to say about them too spirited, spooky etc, however I've seen alot of owners on communities like LJ say they're the best horse they've ever had.
opinions, experience’s care to share?
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xx
 
Arabians are like marmite.
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Some people like it, some don't. I hate, loathe and detest marmite and would have to be hog tied and force fed the muck.
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I have owned, bred, and generally been around arabians one way or another for over 20 years now. I quite like them.

At the end of the day they are just horses, management is basically the same as for any other. They are hardy, or not, my current mare lives out 24/7, my last gelding used to run and hide at the first drop of rain and would have been horrified if I made him live outside.

They are generally pretty intelligent (but, I've known some seriously dumb ones too) sometimes too smart for their own good and often too smart to let you know just how smart they are.

Personality wise, they are just horses, all are individuals and have to be treated as such, they'll go til they drop for you - if they want to, they'll also take advantage, just like any other horse.

Sure they can be flashy to look at, but handsome is as handsome does, and despite common belief, they aren't all flighty, madcap creatures, they can be as kind, or otherwise, as the next horse, treat them right and they will do right by you. A mare I had never walked a step in the 12 years I rode her for, put a novice or a child on her and she'd be the quietest horse you could ever want.

Oh, and that daft rumour that they can't jump is a load of codswallop, they can, it is just that sometimes some of them don't see why they should! (Ditto running around in aimless circles on the end of a lunge rope)
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I had my Arab gelding for 19 years - he was extremely intelligent and knew he was very special (and beautiful of course). He thrived on having a job to do and I bought him, straight out of Arab racing, and started doing endurance with him. He loved it and we covered many, many miles together. As Enfys said, he really couldn't see the point of going over a jump, through a puddle, etc. if there was a perfectly suitable way round! Nearly all the top endurance horses are Arabs or have a lot of Arab blood (note I said "nearly all"). There aren't many horses that can compete in 160km rides in a day, averaging speeds at 25 km/ hour and pass stringent vetting. To see 100 Arabs lined up at the start of an endurance ride is spectacular. Personally, I think they have got a bad press as, in the past, some people have bought them for their looks and Arabs are tough workman-llike horses who can get bored easily. They were bred to travel vast distances through the desert and live in tents with their Arab masters. Like all breeds - some are suitable for the less-experienced and some are very sharp and spooky and would have a lot of fun with a novice rider! If you want to find out more - join your local Endurance GB group and offer to help out at a few rides - you will be welcomed with open arms and you'll learn a lot about Arabs and many other breeds as well.
 
I used to own an arab x when I was a teenager, she was wonderful and incredibly beautiful, but definitely a second pony.

She was very mareish, she has put me off mares for life, but she was great fun. She was very forward going and loved to jump. But wouldn't hack alone very easily.

Unfortunately, she was frequently lame in the time that I owned her- mainly through injuries in the field. She was retired at around 18 years old due to a tendon injury. I would certainly recommend them as a breed, my mare was great fun and a real character. I learnt a heck of a lot through owning her.

That said- many horse folk I've met throughout my life wouldn't touch an arab with a barge pole. As previously mentioned you tend to either love them or hate them. I would certainly consider owning one again- have found my 18 year old, TB gelding to be more of a handful than my arab mare ever was!
 
I have arabs because I want a small tough riding horse who will have a bash at anything. I don't get the arab-hating, they're a horse at the end of the day - a lot of people say they don't normally like arabs but they like ours, so go figure.

Ours are quite different to each other. H (the bay in my sig) is 'ard as nails, a real workaholic, and will really knuckle down to the job in hand whatever that may be. He's 24 next year and still thinks he's indestructable. Spud (the grey) is a bit more of a diva, but when the chips are down he really digs deep - if you ever need a horse to save the day in a crisis, he will pull it out of the bag. He'll also look after a nervous or novice rider so he's the one we pimp out if we have visitors. They both live out full time and grow coats like yaks in the winter. Oh and they're both absolutely bombproof, too - H has had planes take off and land next to him without batting an eyelid.
 
I have a friend who has three Arabs, including a stallion, all of whom he uses for endurance. The stallion is the most laid back, gentle horse you could ever meet. He is very much a horse for his work, he loves to compete and to be out but is also quite happy standing in his paddock snoozing in the sun.

I always wanted an Arab and this year we bought Ari. He is actually an Anglo Arab (68%) as we couldn't find a tall enough pure bred within our budget/radius.

He is five years old and very green, having only been broken in May this year, but he is such a character. He is completely different from our other gelding and has established himself as boss of the two of them. He is very talkative and incredibly nosey and gets into everything! He is pretty placid to handle but isn't keen on being groomed - again, just lack of handling in his previous home.

When our gelding retires, I will almost certainly buy another Arab or Arab X.
 
I'm a fan, Midi. They are generally a very intelligent breed who need to be worked/occupied. Fast to learn and incredibly versatile. My Arab mare was tough as old boots - would happily live out 24/7 and could turn her hoof to pretty much anything - dressage, eventing, hunting - even had a bash at a few gymkhana games with her. As others have said, this is a generalisation and they do vary but, as a general rule, they are a great breed.
 
Another Arab fan here. I have 2 - having been a TB enthusiast for 20-odd years, I got hooked on endurance and ended up with my first Arab 11 years ago. Sure, there are flighty, spooky, bad-tempered Arabs just as there are with any other breed - a lot depends on the owner/rider and how calm they are themselves. And as has been said, they do get bored easily, which is one of the reasons why I think they are suited to endurance - they're always going somewhere different!

Mine are tough, intelligent, hardy (live out 24/7). The old boy had a fantastic jump and loved SJ and Xcountry, also could do a decent dressage test and was bombproof. The younger one doesn't have those talents but is a fabulous endurance horse. Both are easy to handle, learn quickly and are great company. I will definitely be sticking to Arabs and Arab crosses from now on.
 
I'm not a fan of arabs for two main reasons - I don't really like the look of them (personal opinion, there's nothing actually wrong with them) and they don't come big enough for me to want to ride (i.e tall and don't like spindily horses)

HOWEVER, i currently have a part bred arab on loan and he's lovely. Most of the time.

He is everything some people don't like about arabs but I do - he's sharp, intelligent and very sensitive, which I love. He's also gentle, affectionate and kind. But he is also a HUGE drama-queen, which drives me insane, esp compared to my dependable laidback and to be honest, quite stupid, young cob.

Although to be fair he's half welsh cob too, and his traits could have easily come from that side.
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A good horse is never a bad colour or breed!
 
My mum is hugely into arab showing and breeds arabs and even travels abroad to show them. She loves them more than anything but she is not a rider. I ride and compete and personally for me they are stunning to look esp the stallions at the top level at but as far as competition horses go they would be my absolute last choice. You will be fine for hacking and low level rc activities but that is it i dont think they are particularly good jumpers nor will they get to any high level at dressage. So it horses for courses really. They are also pretty small average about 14'3 - 15hh which really is too small for someone like me as im 5'8.
Anyway my first ever horse was an arab and she was fab but when i progressed in my riding i outgrew her ability so i would seriously consider what you want to do with your new horse and whether an arab would suit.
 
Cample, sorry, but I have got to butt in now, arabs have got bigger, 15.2/3h isn't uncommon nowadays. I prefer them small myself, my Bask mare is only 14h.

It depends which type you are looking at but years ago Tersk bred Russians from the Kossak stud in NL coming to the UK were up to 16h. French breds are often taller, and, like some of the Russians more Tb looking than say those with Crabbet, Egyptian or Polish lines. (Saying that there was an excellent little Russian race mare I did for a while back in the early 90's that was only about 14.2h, thrashed the pants off a lot of much bigger horses)
 
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Cample, sorry, but I have got to butt in now, arabs have got bigger, 15.2/3h isn't uncommon nowadays. I prefer them small myself, my Bask mare is only 14h.

It depends which type you are looking at but years ago Tersk bred Russians from the Kossak stud in NL coming to the UK were up to 16h. French breds are often taller, and, like some of the Russians more Tb looking than say those with Crabbet, Egyptian or Polish lines. (Saying that there was an excellent little Russian race mare I did for a while back in the early 90's that was only about 14.2h, thrashed the pants off a lot of much bigger horses)

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Agree-I used to work at an Arab stud that bred and produced some of the best Arab (ridden) show horses in the UK. The horses they bred were big, chunky type Arabs (mostly Crabbet, Spanish, Polish bloodlines). They were amazing animals, would do anything you asked and competed to top levels not just in showing but endurance and racing as well. I love Arabs
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Forgot to say - H used to keep up with the 'proper' hunters out hunting, jumping everything they jumped, and he got me through my riding exams. In his younger days he would bodge his way round an elementary dressage test, too, only held back by the incompetent muppet on top - who knows what he would have been able to achieve had I actually been able to ride
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We also used to drive him:

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Depends on what you're looking for in a horse, I guess - if you're wanting a badminton prospect a purebred would be too small, but if you're wanting an all rounder I certainly wouldn't rule one out.
 
We had a 16.1 purebred for 19 years and a 15,1 for 7 years. Both very very different. The bigger one was alot more laid back, did everthing except schooling, hated it full stop. The smaller one was flighty,spooky and generally a bit unpredictable, was an amazing Endurance horse though, had real guts and stamina.

Both related.
 
I LOVE ARABS!!,
I have a arab, hes 18, had him since 3,
Hes magic, will try his heart out of you,
but they are quite a spirited breed, so I think thats why people
are put off, but if you work them, regularly, then they are fine, more relaxed. They like to have a job to do, mine competes at novice dressage, and loves it, think he s got a good few years in him yet!! Here he is , with my mummy!!and the second one was us at dressage in the summer
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I currently part loan a Crabbet, who is a 'typical' flighty Arab and a complete wimp. But i think this is more due to his sheltered life as a stallion and showing horse for the first 14 years. There are 4 others there who i also work with. His half sister is more giddy and the typical energetic type who wants to go everywhere at 300mph, but she is pretty bomb proof and very safe, even with complete novices. She's grumpy though and hard to bond with.

Whereas her brother is actually a bit ploddy and lazy at times but will spook like mad and get himself worked up over nothing. But he's very sensitive on the ground and easy to form a good bond with, he's very trusting of me on foot in scary situations.

There are also 2 brood mares who are very highly strung. One of which is very dominant and pushy, the other is very submissive but easy to form a close bond with and very loving.

And a 2 year old filly who is a pretty well behaved and sensible baby, and also loves human contact and is very loving.

I have found that all arabs i've met have been energetic and usually a little spooky, but full of character and that's why i love them. Also some are very hardy and some not so- the brood mares live out all year and cope well, but the others don't. I think it depends what they're used to.

Can't beat a good Arab
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Wow thanks for all the replies guys!
I'll def look into seeing if there are any local endurance groups around.
Did anyone buy their Arabs from any particular places / breeders, or just find them through private sellers/adverts etc.
I think actually finding any would be my biggest problem, haha.
 
Cample I have to agree with Enfys the days of small arabs are gone you can easily find a bigger arab these days my 2 year old already stands over 15hh I can say exactly as its been ages since I measured him but this is not uncommon, and also to say that they wont make good jumpers or cant do high level dressage is a bit naive on your part. Any horse can do anything. Arabs are kind, gentle very quick to learn but yes can be quick and sharp too (maybe thats why they get a bad press) I was at a show in the summer and my boy went into the young handler class with my friends daughter and was an absolute star which put the mean spiritied old couple sat at the side of the ring who everytime the young child walked past them said out loud OH I hate arabs they are useless, the look on their face when he came 2nd was priceless. Midi good luck on your quest for an Arab, try arabian lines website it is full of very knowledgeable arab lovers and they can point you in the right direction. Salimali I would love to see a pic of your Ben Rabba baby although he is 17 you know what I mean
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we have an arab, 17 going on 3- he's a Crabbet too.(grandfather was Ben Rabba,) as you say the kindest,gentlest horse you could wish for, but highly intelligent.

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Oh I do like the Ben Rabba line, who is he by? Seeing as you are in Wales would your chap have been bred at Bychan?

I bred a super colt by Ablak, a not very well known Ben Rabba son, in fact, I think Ablak was in Wales at one time too. Very sadly had to sell him and have been trying to find him ever since, so if anyone has an 18 y.o chestnut, with high whites (what else) Ben Rabba grandson in Sussex...?
 
I bought an Anglo about a week ago, shes coming up 3 and she is standing around 15.1.
shes lovely and I cant wait for it to be summer so I can do more with her.

years ago I had a full arab on loan, who I loved hacking out on, we'd go out for hours and I always felt very safe with her and we had some lovely adventures.
Before that the only full arab i'd ridden was a liveries on the yard I was at, he was lovely.

this is my part bred (hoping to get her registration sorted soon as she is an Anglo really)
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Oh I recognise your handsome boy, he always reminds me so much of my grey.

I had an Al Hakim gelding that looked so much like yours, just 6" smaller.
 
(Waves to Dennis
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My Arab girl has some bloodlines in common with Perissa's boy and she is also 16hh, built like a brick sh it house as well. On the other hand, my Arab gelding is 14.3 hh, rather dainty to look at, but still a good strong horse.
Yes... I love Arabs.
 
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we have an arab, 17 going on 3- he's a Crabbet too.(grandfather was Ben Rabba,) as you say the kindest,gentlest horse you could wish for, but highly intelligent.

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I too have an Arab, 17 this year, thinks he is 3 too. V clever boy. I assume yours is chesnut as Ben Rabba was very prepotent. My boy is grey mixed with large amounts of mud, his fav outfit! My boy is High % Crabbet.
 
Enfys, have just read your post(belatedly!) about my arab, he is 15.3, by Aurabba- was bred by Daphne Pogson at Rhosfach, Nebo. we went to Bychan looking for an arab before getting our boy(whom we eventually found advertised in the local paper) found Emrys and Sue Jones charming people, but the horse we went to see was more suitable for a lady. our lad if a well built boy!!
 
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