Owners of Arabian horses - laughing stocks, ignorant, not normal etc:

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Burmilla

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I'm referring to the post on Latest News about the horse owner who has been found guilty of fraud. Would the trial have become so prominent if the woman had not owned Arabs?
The discussion in the thread became sidetracked into the morality, mental state and alleged ignorance and general stupidity of owners of this particular breed.
I have read a number of threads in which those involved with Arabians, and especially those who post on ArabianLines, are rubbished with extraordinary venom.
Any ideas why? I could start a post reflecting on the apparent instability, ignorance and general stupidity of the German Warmblood fraternity: I have had many years experience of it! But I wouldn't, and I haven't seen anyone else do so.
I love Arabians, have owned them for the last 30 years and have had great enjoyment from all the disciplines we've had a go at. I only have one now : he is fun, very striking, quite talented and a great character. Like loads of other non Arab horses. I work full time at a very stressy difficult job to keep him.
Again, like a great many others.
So, why us?
 
I know nothing about Arabs, & haven't had anything to do with anyone into Arab showing. So the only knowledge I have of those high up in that world, are the things that are done badly. But, I've got enough sense to know that happens in every aspect of the sport, & that amongst Arab owners, there will be good, average, & morons like anything else. Tbh though, I've never really heard of general bad feeling towards the Arab world, real life or on-line. We've had rapping in sj, xc being dangerous, beachers brook, dubious height measurements & side reins in showing, hunting, rolkur, & it stands to reason Arabs will come in for bashing too.
 
Agree with Littlelegs, look at the vitriol that is often thrown around about Welsh owners, breeders and showers. I think there will always be those people who are lazy in thought and speech, who use 'easy' stereotypes as that means they don't have to think.
 
I think as said it applies to most breeds. All have general stereotypes for horses and owners.

I am not an Arab fan myself, though have ridden an amazing cross and have a few out in the field who are nice enough. But they aren't my cuppa. Would be pretty boring if everyone liked the same thing though.
 
Personally I dont think it is the arabians that are the problem, it is fact they attract idiots and their forgiving nature makes them prey to a**holes.
 
What an interesting comment, Fimbacob. Why does this particular breed attract idiots, do you think? Oh, and a**holes, too, of course. I don't think Arabs have particularly forgiving natures, especially for a**holes. My old stallion was good at frightening the living daylights out of people if he sensed they had a touch too much arrogance - good with children and aged grannies though.
 
Fimbacob said:
Personally I dont think it is the arabians that are the problem, it is fact they attract idiots and their forgiving nature makes them prey to a**holes.
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I'd sort of agree with this, I think, but I don't have any answers. It does make me sad every time I read a news report of neglect or another scandal.

I find arabs quite easy to do, and if they do get a bit bonkers it's generally 'all talk and no knickers'. So you've got a very flashy looking horse who isn't actually going to get you into a lot of trouble, and I think that always has the potential to attract the wrong kind of person. I also think they get broken spirited and 'lost' quite easily and they are very vulnerable to abuse in that respect.

I know it's not just arabs (welshies seem to cop for more than their fair share of muppets too), but it does make me sad.
 
I adore arabians and had my own purebred mare for 12 years. Would never deny they aren't everyone's cup of tea, just like any other breed.

Whenever out and about with her, comments from strangers were only ever complimentary - particularly, people would say how nice it was to see an arab out being ridden, which for me speaks volumes. I do think a lot of arabs are sent out into the world by breeders so focused on showing that they fail to educate their youngsters for a ridden life. Ok, true of many breeds, but the arab's sensitivity means, I suspect, they more easily go wrong in the wrong hands.

Was never aware of any negative press towards arabs, tbh.

On the other hand, I have never witnessed, on a forum, such vicious aggression and sheer nastiness as that regularly exhibited by the AL members towards one another. Go figure...
 
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I agree with EY and Fim! I have had Arabs and AA for 50+ yrs. I have always found them easy. However they are not tolerant of nervousness nor abuse, have huge egos too! They have pretty heads, huge expressive eyes, thin skin and often flashy coloured coats. So they do attract many novices who are attracted with their showiness. (Still I realise most breeds do to some extent.) They are a manageable size too. The showing world come in for challenges as they make them stand badly and do not necessarily ride them well. However this too is not limited to Arabians. Most people can recognise the breed too! I have had lots of adverse comments over the years by biased antis, I never bothered as they just didn't realise what they were missing. I am Arab-less now and I still miss their friendliness and love. :(
 
Fimbacob said:
Personally I dont think it is the arabians that are the problem, it is fact they attract idiots and their forgiving nature makes them prey to a**holes.
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I think I get what you are saying. They are a bit like sports cars and could attract owners who are more interested in having a flashy looking horse rather than because they have an appreciation for the nature of the breed itself. I know someone who bought a youngster last year. I suspect because of it's looks. It's currently being ruined by poor handling and training and riding and is well set up to become a problem horse unless something changes. Person in question loves hot blooded types who look the part but whose riding ability is somewhat deficient.

I personally love the breed and have only had good experiences with them.
 
Agree with littlelegs on this one. Plenty is thrown around the forums about all sorts of equestrians... This is just flavour of the week it seems.

Cheltenham festival will be on soon and all of this will be replaced with criticisms about all of that I am sure!
 
Im a HUGE arab fan by far the best breed in the world and I speak from biased experience, I dont think they neccasarily attract a**holes but arabs are hyperactive and over sensitive and in the wrong hands disasters are inevitable! I generally think its people ignorant of the breed that are the problem ive had stupid comments like arabs cant jump or do dressage and are too spooky to do road work! Wtf! I love proving stupid people wrong!
 
I don't know about these flighty crazy Arabs... My friend is a huge fan and she has had a few who have been very level headed, sensible, hardworking AND beautiful.

So, the stereotype does not fit with me. I mean I have been to shows at three counties where I have seen the odd one or two mad Arab, but really, all I could see was a whole host of perfectly behaved pretty horses.
 
Tallyho I agree! My farrier thinks mine is the best behaved quietest arab hes ever met (he hasnt seen him do his mad half hour round the field) but my previous chestnut arab mare was even better and completley bombproof in any situation!
 
In all honesty there are unpleasant and dishonest people in all walks of life.
Staying with the horse world though, the Arabian breed is a bit different to others due to the massive in hand showing practice.
Most breeds are shown in hand whilst growing up and waiting for their ridden career. Then the numbers remaining in the in hand show ring reduces hugely.

The Arab is different. They are bred in huge numbers without ever the intention to put a saddle on them. It is very sad that a horse, once perfectly constructed to be ridden is now being selectively bred to be a cat walk model. Many would physically never be able to be ridden due to the in hand breeding practices.

The Arab horse, looking beautiful, on the end of a long lead rein attracts the attention of many who don't ride for various reasons, and inflates the ego like no other breed.

Those that are successful in this world command huge prices and ridiculous stud fees and seem to attract many unscrupulous people.

With all respect to the welsh breed, the most perfect example will never reach a fraction of the price some Arabs change hands for. For this reason it will attract the attentions of dishonest people with no interest in the horse itself.
(I am talking about top level here, the ordinary Arabian owner generally adore their horse for all the attributes this wonderful breed has)

I'm sure there is bitching, back biting and some cheating in the world of welsh and other breeds, but nothing can compare to the world of international Arab in hand horses.

The beauty and honesty of this genuinely wonderful breed has been it's downfall. It is chosen by some to increase their own ego and bank balance by fair means or foul.

The Arab horse does not make people unpleasant and dishonest, it just attracts some that are naturally that way inclined. Which is why I'm never surprised when another one is exposed.

So very sad for the breed in general, some of the individual horses, and not least, the real Arabian lover, because to the rest of the horse world, all are tarred with the same brush.
 
I had a beautiful Arab mare for over 20 years. She was loving, sensible, could jump like a stag and was my first horse. She was whizzy, but only where it wouldn't put her or me in danger. I did get derogatory comments about Arabs on occasion but people soon shut up when they saw how much fun we had together.
 
ribbons said:
The beauty and honesty of this genuinely wonderful breed has been it's downfall. It is chosen by some to increase their own ego and bank balance by fair means or foul.

The Arab horse does not make people unpleasant and dishonest, it just attracts some that are naturally that way inclined. Which is why I'm never surprised when another one is exposed.

So very sad for the breed in general, some of the individual horses, and not least, the real Arabian lover, because to the rest of the horse world, all are tarred with the same brush.
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Yup, this too.
 
An Arab isn't my type of horse as I prefer the chunky monkeys but I have nothing against them and in their own way are beautiful animals but I have noticed that Arab owners have a paranoid personality and think that nobody likes them or their horses.
There is a lady on our yard with a lovely grey Arab but constantly bangs on about how people don't like Arabs and in non arab showing classes is marked down as the judges don't like them, she thinks the worlds is against her and her Arab.
Not the case it's just that we're not complimenting her all the time...you own an Arab, I'm happy for you but get over it.
 
Hippona said:
Please dont judge all arab owners by the one paranoid mentalist on your yard....bit of a sweeping statement there.....
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I'm not judging anyone...you own any horse you like but there seem to be allot of threads on this forum about people hating Arabs and I think there could be a bit of paranoyer from (some!) Arab owners.
Just because people don't walk around swooning after an Arab doesn't mean they are hated, disliked or thought of as stupid.
This thread is another post started by another Arab owner discussing how people don't like Arabs and how they are preceved by others...so the woman on my yard isn't the only one?!
Each to their own, I personally like but wouldn't own an Arab but that's my choice. I dont think they are ugly, stupid, unpleasant and that goes for the horses as well :)
 
ribbons said:
In all honesty there are unpleasant and dishonest people in all walks of life.
Staying with the horse world though, the Arabian breed is a bit different to others due to the massive in hand showing practice.
Most breeds are shown in hand whilst growing up and waiting for their ridden career. Then the numbers remaining in the in hand show ring reduces hugely.

The Arab is different. They are bred in huge numbers without ever the intention to put a saddle on them. It is very sad that a horse, once perfectly constructed to be ridden is now being selectively bred to be a cat walk model. Many would physically never be able to be ridden due to the in hand breeding practices.

The Arab horse, looking beautiful, on the end of a long lead rein attracts the attention of many who don't ride for various reasons, and inflates the ego like no other breed.

Those that are successful in this world command huge prices and ridiculous stud fees and seem to attract many unscrupulous people.

With all respect to the welsh breed, the most perfect example will never reach a fraction of the price some Arabs change hands for. For this reason it will attract the attentions of dishonest people with no interest in the horse itself.
(I am talking about top level here, the ordinary Arabian owner generally adore their horse for all the attributes this wonderful breed has)

I'm sure there is bitching, back biting and some cheating in the world of welsh and other breeds, but nothing can compare to the world of international Arab in hand horses.

The beauty and honesty of this genuinely wonderful breed has been it's downfall. It is chosen by some to increase their own ego and bank balance by fair means or foul.

The Arab horse does not make people unpleasant and dishonest, it just attracts some that are naturally that way inclined. Which is why I'm never surprised when another one is exposed.

So very sad for the breed in general, some of the individual horses, and not least, the real Arabian lover, because to the rest of the horse world, all are tarred with the same brush.
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Good post ribbons.
My first horse was an Anglo the most fantasic horse fantasic hunter took me it my first BE events taught my OH to ride hunted until she was in her early twenties.
I would have loved a Arab to work but I am whatever you look at it to big if I was petite I would have one like a shot
I think endurance having a higher profile was done something to redress the balance in letting people see they are not just for showing.
 
Your right spit that out. Each to their own.
Personally I wouldn't touch a cob with a barge pole. They don't please my eye, I find them rude and pushy and to ride are like driving a tractor.
But one of my dearest friends has two, she adores them.
As you say each to their own.

There are many who don't like cobs, but that breed will never attract the wall to wall criticism that Arabs do.
As I said earlier, that is thanks to the low life owners that get all the publicity, tarring the others with the same brush.

There really is the idea in the general horse world that Arabs are pretty but useless. It's not paranoid imagination.
 
Ribbons.....yes, thats why I prefer riding my arab to the other two. They are ok to ride, not bad......but the agility and responsiveness of the arab is a joy....it makes me smile to ride him. Plus hes a stunner. I actually had a bus driver lean out of his cab and tell me how stunning he is....
 
ribbons said:
Your right spit that out. Each to their own.
Personally I wouldn't touch a cob with a barge pole. They don't please my eye, I find them rude and pushy and to ride are like driving a tractor.
But one of my dearest friends has two, she adores them.
As you say each to their own.

There are many who don't like cobs

n.
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I'm not a cob fan either...I'm a Clydesdale, shire kinda girl.

Their are some People who don't like this type of horse and that's fine but I wouldn't start another "some one said something bad about a breed if horse I like" thread

I'm sorry you think that Arabs and their owners get bad press...I'm sure their have been many threads over time slating one breed over another but as long as you love them then that's all that matters and Arab owners or any other owner of a breed shouldn't get so hung up over what other people think about their breed of choice.
 
My mum had a chestnut Arab mare who she had spotted on a field. The mare was very thin and nervous. Turns out the guy had bought it for his none horsey daughters because it looked like there Barbie horse. When the mare became tricky the just chucked it away on the field. My mum managed to get her to a yard and put the weight on her and she physically looked great but mentally she was a fruit loop but I guess my mum is a bit of a fruit loop and she still swears she was the best horse she ever owned
 
I can appreciate the beauty of any good stamp of horse. Plenty I wouldnt want to own.
Hotblooded horses can be trickier to manage....but if you "get" them theyre not any more loopy than most horses. Certainly my arab is less spooky than the highland.
Horses for courses...
 
I have an Anglo....does that make me half-crazy??

Seriously, does it really matter? It's the same the world over, assumptions are made on unfounded suspicions....

I don't care two hoots what anyone thinks about the horses I own, I'm happy, so that's all that matters, right....?
 
There are certain breeds of all animals/birds that attract a certain following of highly strung, precious and barking mad owners

There are a couple of breeds of dogs, a clear case in the chicken showing world and I dare say cats are no different

They are ok as long as they don't have ro do more than hug and look at the animal!

Unfortunately Arab horses are out of the same mould so these owners will hone in on them

It doesn't make all arab owners bad of course but a bad few that shout louder than the rest always makes things look bad!
 
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