Just a quick query about arabs

J

JosieSmith

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I really don't want to jinx myself *crosses fingers* *touches wood*, but,

I have had my arab for 1 year now on part-loan, past 2-3 months full loan. In that time we have had vet once for mud fever this time last year. Owner reckons in the 4 years she's owned her that's first time she's had vet out, and I believe her, having not needed vet at all for a year now.

Is this an arab thing? I know some horses are accident prone and some aren't, but I wondered if maybe arabs were known for being quite hardy?
 
They are an extremely tough breed Josie! Remember, they were originally bred to go long distances in the desert - they have dense bone, hardy constittutions and great stamina. Seldom known one sick or sorry. My last Arab was out all year round (rugged in winter!) and thrived but was never bothered by extreme heat either. Never had the vet out to her once!
 
My mum breeds arabs and they spend a lot less time sick than my irish x or my suffolk! In the last few years i cant tell you one single issue with any of the arabs at the stud but can tell you at least 6 or 7 lameness / injury issues ive had with mine who look a bloomin lot more hardy than the flashy arabs!
I dont think out of about 25 at the stud any have suffered with mud fever, ever.
 
As said, they can be tough old birds.

I have one 18 year old broodmare that has lived out in Canadian winters ALL her life (never been rugged until I had her) and the only time in the three years I have had her the Vet has seen her is for a retained placenta after foaling this year.

My arabs back in the UK DID suffer from mud fever, but that was due to the flaming awful rice paddy of a field they had to live on, dubious as to whether the fact that they had white legs had anything to do with it. I also had one break down on the racetrack and the same one also had colic surgery, poor girl, she was just having a bad year.

They aren't immune to everyday field mishaps, warwounds and other injuries/ailments that any other equine succumbs to though. I don't think that not having a Vet attend for 4 years is really anything to do with her breed, probably a lot more to do with her management.
 
Mines quite accident prone but he's PBA so blame the TB part of him on that
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He's in his 20's and fit as a fiddle (the grey in the sig)
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Aw Poppymoo I can't see your sig cos I'm on the work comp and it doesn't display them, I'll have a look at home later.

Mine's 20, grey and fit as a fiddle too, maybe they're siblings, I know she's got plenty half-siblings!
 
had my arab mare 14 years and she never had any ailments, bless her - then i had a tb and boy did i start learning about horse ailments!
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I used to work at an Arab stud, in the 50+ years the owners had been breeding them they only lost a handful (apart from to old age) and the majority of them retired and lived well into their 20s. Very hardy breed-lived out 24/7 in the north of england and never looked poor for it!
 
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