calling those who have ridden both arabs and highlands

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dorito

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My first horse -arab. Spooky hack, beautiful school ride - lovely light comfortable paces.

My next possible horse - highland - a pretty one ;-)
Presumably safe hack (?)
Schooling/paces ???

Your opinions/experiences please, and thank you!
 
I've had both :)

My Arab (Skye) was the opposite of yours he was fab to hack, a bloody sod to school. Was a grummpy sod as well.

My Highlander (Stanley) was fab in the school, fab to hack loved being with both horses and people. His paces where very light for a well built pony. Was so sad when he went back from loan :(

I think you will love having a highlander, they try so hard where as an Arab looks good but from my experience will have a paddy if things don't go their way.
 
My Arab mare Bankara is super to ride in the arena and out hacking.She is very honest and never does anything deliberate.She spooks occassionally at things like drains but can always be encouraged forwards and past the scary object.Although only 15hh she rides bigger,has a huge heart and lots of stamina.She will plod if required,and go fast when asked,always pulling up nicely.She is 27 years old and still quicker and has more stamina than much younger horses.She is an angel to handle as well.There is a highland on the yard who is nice,but very different to ride in that her paces are choppier.
 
Never owned an arab, but those I have ridden were lovely, but could be so stubborn - if they didn't want to do something, they just didn't. Perhaps that's just an unfortunate section of the arab population I've encountered though. I've ridden arabs with beautiful light paces, and one or two who were choppy, short and unpleasant :o Not very spooky given their stereotype though.

My highland's a nicer ride than any of them (biased, obviously!) - he's very keen to please and though he can be stubborn, you just need to distract him and he'll remember how much nicer it is to do as he's asked ;) He's quite forward, certainly not a plod, but he's young and still very much learning to open up / gaining confidence. He's lovely to school - he's very light in the hand, carries himself nicely and has the smoothest paces I've ever encountered. He's spooky to hack alone, but good as gold in company.

I've ridden highlands who are like yaks though. I know plenty who are stiff, choppy, unwilling and heavy. Partly there's conformational variation within the breed - heavier stag pony types, shorter legs, more barrel like bodies - and the sportier riding type. However, I think, as with most horses, they are what you make them ;)
 
I have ridden many Arabs but no Highlands, the Arabs varied from the most sensible and unspooky to the sharp but still fun, safe ride.
I dont think you can presume anything is going to be a safe hack just because of its breeding, as JFTD says they are what you make them to some extent.
 
Ridden 2 or 3 Arabs, all mares!
2 of them (7-9 years old) very sensitive, had to mount very gently, very easy to control (compared to a highland) ponced about everywhere on the roads, did nothing untoward and honestly felt rather safe, purely because I found them easier to control. Went beautifully everywhere, tail up, outlined.
The other Arab was 14 years old, slightly less sensitive, STUNNING in the school. Insane to hack- I felt like getting off and walking...!
They all were very prancey, but never bucked or threatened too!

Highlands- Uber uber safe hack, but once they have decided to go- there is no stopping them! When they want to go well they can top any Arab's beauty! When they don't want to go beautifully... they look like deformed elephants :P
Mine enjoys an insane bronc and buck (never found that with an arab) and once he's off on a gallop- he will stop himself (there is not a point in me trying) very loyal little animals- but very stubborn and much more hardy than an Arab.

I'd take the Highland anytime - Arabs are fun for a while- but when you want a quiet hack after a stressful day, they are useless :P

:D
 
I have one of each:D

Arab..forward going - not spooky but sharp. Needs riding properly.Cracking paces- not one for jumping (yet;)) Total show off.


Highland...also forward going but not sharp...if I want a nice relaxing ride I take him out. Totally bombproof but not a plodder......loves jumping but more so XC than coloured poles.

Both great in their own way.

ETS.....I have to keep the highland interested- otherwise he can just totally shut-off schooling wise. Highlands do mature late though so aged 7 he's starting to come together nicely.:)
 
i have a 2 yr old highland and have ridden plenty of each,
I'd recommend Highland personally but have you contemplated a part bred?

There are a few studs breeding Highland x Arabs or Highland x TB (Melfort/ Cloughwood/ Fleetmead) which may be the best of both worlds for you ? :D
 
Thanks all for the replies, keep them coming!

BuzzLightYear, the idea of a highland x arab had vaguely crossed my mind, but didn't think to ask about them - not sure if there are many about?

I am getting much wimpier as I get older so really do not want an 'exciting' hack - just a nice active marching walk for about 80% of the time, with a bit of trot/canter when and where appropriate. And to get home safe without incident!
 
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