aimeejay
Well-Known Member
Are arabians too much for a mature, 5 ft 7,13 yr old with 5 years riding experience???? I know it totally dephends on the horse but speaking to some people they say that arabians have always got 'a streak in them'.
Arabians???
- Thread starter aimeejay
- Start date
SharerSarah
Well-Known Member
Personal experience from the ones i have seen, alot will be ok but i wouldn't let them ride unsupervised at all, however the majority i have encountered have been endurance horses and as such extremely fit.
They do often have a "independent" streak, which can often mean they arent suitable, it really depends on the 5 years experience, if it from having own/loan horses s/he'll be better as a rule than someone who has had a lesson once a week or fortnightly.
I guess what im trying to say is if s/he has guts and is stubborn enough to persevere and have lessons they should be fine
They do often have a "independent" streak, which can often mean they arent suitable, it really depends on the 5 years experience, if it from having own/loan horses s/he'll be better as a rule than someone who has had a lesson once a week or fortnightly.
I guess what im trying to say is if s/he has guts and is stubborn enough to persevere and have lessons they should be fine
the watcher
Well-Known Member
There will be an Arab horse out there that fits the bill - but yes, as a sweeping generalisation, they do have a bit of spark about them - it is part of their appeal I think
Chico Mio
Antedeluvian
As mother_hen says, yes there will be one out there - perhaps an older one as they mature late as a breed. Height wise they don't get much above 15.3hh and tall ones are always at a premium.
I have known several, one was a stallion so laid back he seemed to spend most of his time asleep unless he was training or competing. A gelding who was young and enthusiastic but good natured and a mare who was stressy and hyper but not nasty in anyway.
I think they are a bit different from other horses, they can also have white showing around their eye which can make them look a bit mental and very large flaring nostrils which probably contributes to their 'highly strung' image.
My 60% arab AA looks like a nutter when he spots something, I prefer to think it's the TB in him that makes him an idiot!!
I have known several, one was a stallion so laid back he seemed to spend most of his time asleep unless he was training or competing. A gelding who was young and enthusiastic but good natured and a mare who was stressy and hyper but not nasty in anyway.
I think they are a bit different from other horses, they can also have white showing around their eye which can make them look a bit mental and very large flaring nostrils which probably contributes to their 'highly strung' image.
My 60% arab AA looks like a nutter when he spots something, I prefer to think it's the TB in him that makes him an idiot!!
m3gan
Well-Known Member
I have a pure bred Arab who is a real gentleman and very laid back, having said that, Arabians are very sensitive and can pick up on peoples nerves and subsequently can react to a nervous rider perhaps more keenly than other types of horses would. On the other hand the bond that exists between Arabian horses and their owners is very strong and for me is the most wonderful feeling that you can have!!!!!!
Silverspring
Well-Known Member
Having owned and ridden various Arab over the years they are as diverse as any other breed. Just like cobs can be strong and stubborn you get lots that are lovely gentle willing ride. Arabs are hot bloods which means they are quick to make decisions and can get themselves out of what they class as danger at lightning speed. That does not make them diffcult to ride or train, personally I think it makes it easier. I think you need to find a horse (be it Arab or not) that works well with the young persons attitude, if she rides with an 'electric' seat an Arab might not be the best idea, if she calm and laid back about most things then I think most Arabs would be suitable.
haras
Well-Known Member
I've got arabs... Best breed out there in my opinion. If you look hard there will be one! Of our 6, two would be fine for novices, but the others.... well!
That said, I've yet to find one that isn't forward going!
That said, I've yet to find one that isn't forward going!
dunthing
Well-Known Member
my grand-daughter has an almost pure crabbet arab who is superb with her. He doesn't like showjumping but is excellent at cross country and a real sweetie. She sold her NF and bought him because the newfie was such a handful and she lost confidence with him. Her arab would suit a novice rider, not spooky, very controllable and good to handle
renethebest
New User
I have an Arabian which my 14 year old daughter rides. He is very relaxed and gentle. He is a high percentage Crabbet and has never been shown in Arabian shows. Like any horse I guess, he can get nervous sometimes but he gets over it quickly. He is very forgiving and a great horse. He's 11 now and I'm very pleased with him.
If you get the right sort of Arab (and for me that's a Crabbet) they are great.
If you get the right sort of Arab (and for me that's a Crabbet) they are great.
camilla4
Well-Known Member
Horseylove - everyone else is telling pretty much as it is in my view. They vary as much as any other breed. They are highly intelligent and can often "think" and react a lot more quickly than other breeds, which I think is where they get their feisty reputation from. I am a huge fan but you need to take as much care selecting the individual horse as you would with any other breed or type?
Do you have a particular horse in mind? Is that the reason you are asking about purebreds? If she is looking for something forward going with intelligence and versatlity, have you thought about a part bred?
Do you have a particular horse in mind? Is that the reason you are asking about purebreds? If she is looking for something forward going with intelligence and versatlity, have you thought about a part bred?
Enfys
Well-Known Member
They are like any other horse, a huge variety of characters, I am not sure that the bloodline does have much to do with individuals.
Like thoroughbreds they come in a variety of shapes and sizes too, that is where bloodlines and type DO come into the equation. If you want a slightly chunkier type then you can't do better than something with Crabbet in it, if you want to race then look for French or Russian blood (and they DO look like tb's in some cases) if you want to show then take your pick! All of them will do endurance and general stuff as long as all the equipment is in the right order in the first place.
My Crabbet was a doll, my Egyptian x Polish was a Victor Meldrew but was all mouth and no trousers, I have a Bask bred mare now who thinks she is Lady Muck and has to be treated like it too, otherwise she ignores you. I have ridden and worked with dozens and dozens of arabians, some of the quietist and most polite were racing stallions.
I've had some that look manic to ride but were the safest thing on four legs, none that have ever been nasty, and all of them would have behaved for less than confident jockeys.
You have to go into trying out any horse with an open mind, regardless of the breed, schooling counts for a great deal, basically, a horse is a horse, regardless of the label pinned on it. Yes, they generally are forward going, they are also incredibly loyal, too smart for their own good, and they prefer a subtle approach, they are usually easy keepers, have good feet and are pretty hardy. I quite like them.
Like thoroughbreds they come in a variety of shapes and sizes too, that is where bloodlines and type DO come into the equation. If you want a slightly chunkier type then you can't do better than something with Crabbet in it, if you want to race then look for French or Russian blood (and they DO look like tb's in some cases) if you want to show then take your pick! All of them will do endurance and general stuff as long as all the equipment is in the right order in the first place.
My Crabbet was a doll, my Egyptian x Polish was a Victor Meldrew but was all mouth and no trousers, I have a Bask bred mare now who thinks she is Lady Muck and has to be treated like it too, otherwise she ignores you. I have ridden and worked with dozens and dozens of arabians, some of the quietist and most polite were racing stallions.
I've had some that look manic to ride but were the safest thing on four legs, none that have ever been nasty, and all of them would have behaved for less than confident jockeys.
You have to go into trying out any horse with an open mind, regardless of the breed, schooling counts for a great deal, basically, a horse is a horse, regardless of the label pinned on it. Yes, they generally are forward going, they are also incredibly loyal, too smart for their own good, and they prefer a subtle approach, they are usually easy keepers, have good feet and are pretty hardy. I quite like them.
camilla4
Well-Known Member
They are certainly tough!!! Very hardy indeed - my Arab mare wintered out and grew a coat like a bear. Not bad for a desert breed!
aimeejay
Well-Known Member
I cant buy a horse, Im not as lucky as all you u
, but I have just had a horse on part loan but found her not right so looking for another. There are two, a 15.2hh mare and a 15.3hh gelding. THanks for all the comments, I'm guessing that I might aswell go look at them, and as I suprisingly saw some of u which said u cud let novice riders on them, I realise it does come down to the individual horse. Gathering that they are quite sensitive though and can react to being ridden badly or treated badly??
Tharg
Well-Known Member
Do Arabs (full and part bred|) make good jumpers?
camilla4
Well-Known Member
They certainly can do. They are very athletic, although the height of purebreds tends to exclude them from higher fences so very few showjumpers. Part breds, including Anglos, frequently make great competition horses (Tamarillo?!!). Again, there isn't really a generalised comment you can make - many are. many aren't. Arab/native crosses always used to be very popular as chidren's ponies - you have the toughness of both, intelligence and more forward going nature of the Arab but the sensible, steady side of a classic child's native pony.
Enfys
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Do Arabs (full and part bred|) make good jumpers?
[/ QUOTE ]
Sure, if THEY want to
They are as capable as any other horse of jumping, they know HOW to do it, some just do not see the point in it.
I also find that some arabs are like that with lunging, they know how to do, they are quite capable of doing it, they just seem to think it is completely pointless.
Do Arabs (full and part bred|) make good jumpers?
[/ QUOTE ]
Sure, if THEY want to
I also find that some arabs are like that with lunging, they know how to do, they are quite capable of doing it, they just seem to think it is completely pointless.
Hippona
Well-Known Member
Sharp, spooky, lively......very loyal...
All are different but in general the hot-bloods are best for experienced riders/owners....sometimes they can lose confidence in their owner and the relationship can become fraught.
My arabx jumps, does dressage, hacks out......forward going and can be a ''lively'' ride. He's not naughty at all and is very well schooled but I wouldnt say he is a novice ride as he can be very sharp....
On the plus side, their feet tend to be very good and the buggers live forever
All are different but in general the hot-bloods are best for experienced riders/owners....sometimes they can lose confidence in their owner and the relationship can become fraught.
My arabx jumps, does dressage, hacks out......forward going and can be a ''lively'' ride. He's not naughty at all and is very well schooled but I wouldnt say he is a novice ride as he can be very sharp....
On the plus side, their feet tend to be very good and the buggers live forever
MrWoof
Well-Known Member
Ask Mrs Jenny Lees, who is, basically (in my opinion), "the Oracle" on Arab Horses in the UK. Jenny will tell you the truth, whether you like it or not. Google Pearl Island Arabians in Herefordshire. Please tell her that it was me who recommended her to you.