Sort of follow on from the 'what horse do you not like thread' arab lovers especially

[htobago]

Yay the daddy of my boy. Have been watching this thread hoping she would come on too lol

Only just came across this lovely thread - you all have so many gorgeous Arabs!

Thanks to all those asking for Tobago-pics!

gemfox your Tobago-baby is looking super.

I think the distinctions between the various 'nationalities' (Russian, Egyptian, Crabbet, etc.) no longer apply so much nowadays. Almost all of the top in-hand show horses are now bred from a mix of different 'national' bloodlines, and the same applies in endurance, etc.

All one can say is that VERY high-percentage Crabbet horses, with a few exceptions, tend not to be quite 'exotic' enough for the modern in-hand show ring (although many of the top winners have around 50% Crabbet/Old English lines). Ridden showing, on the other hand, is still dominated, in this country, by Crabbet/OE bloodlines.

Oh, and the best (most powerful/elevated) movement still tends to come from the Russian and Polish lines.

My boy H Tobago is a mix of Russian, Polish and English lines - but if you analyse his pedigree, the dominant influence is the straight Egyptian stallion Aswan, who was a gift to the Russians from Egypt, and appears in many 'Russian' pedigrees.

Tobago is a typical in-hand show Arab - dishy head, flashy trot and all. Not everyone's cup of tea, of course, but life would be very dull if we all had the same tastes! Here are a few pics of him and his babies:

A few baby-pics

I could show you more but you'd get very bored as they all look pretty much the same, and pretty much like their dad! Even the part-breds - here is his latest foal out of a Trakehner mare:

As a breed, I think the Arab's greatest strengths are soundness, stamina, speed, agility, movement and intelligence - and of course beauty and refinement. Perhaps most important is their genetic prepotency - their ability to pass on these qualities - which is why Arab blood has been used for centuries to refine and improve other breeds.

And there endeth the sermon!

 

[millikins]

Thankyou Rhino.

 

[jazkhali]

Ahhhh Tobago, how I want to give him a big kiss on his soft nose!!! I'd love Shantih to have a Tobago baby one day, I just have to have another chestnut lol!! I just love how he stamps his stock too, all so like daddy. They are all so breathtaking.

Victoria25: Your mare is just stunning, so gorgeous no wonder you love her she looks like she has a great character too.

 

[htobago]

Ahhhh Tobago, how I want to give him a big kiss on his soft nose!!! I'd love Shantih to have a Tobago baby one day, I just have to have another chestnut lol!! I just love how he stamps his stock too, all so like daddy. They are all so breathtaking.

Gosh - thank you! I know Tobago and his babies are not to everyone's taste; quite a few people here prefer the more traditional Crabbet type, I think. But actually almost all of his foals are out of this old-fashioned, substantial type of mare, so he's proving to be quite useful as a 'refiner'.

Shantih is gorgeous and adorable too - and yes of course you really do need yet another blingy chestnut!

I love your photos, by the way: you are very talented. Have you thought of doing horse-photography as a profession? You seem to be really good at capturing character.

 

[SarahRicoh]

Htobago-your arab is stunning!! i want a baby from you...

 

[Orchardbeck]

Here are the two that I have been lucky enough to be acquainted with

Indi, my first ride after smashing up my knee (even though I was only riding him because he'd chucked off a customer)

And the grumpy ginger beast that I knew well

jesstickle, the grumpy ginger beast that you refer to, what is his/her name, and do you know his pedigree? He looks very much like an arab I used to ride in the scottish borders back in the early 90's called Sacha, that got sold on somewhere in Scotland.

 

[Orchardbeck]

Another ArabX(Welsh B) fan here!

I couldn't believe it when I first started hearing people talking about their arabs on here that what I had learned from my old girl is totally typical of the breed, and I love that about them. I don't know many people locally with Arabs so have never been able to compare notes, it is great to hear other people's opinions.

I have learned things with her that are totally different to other horses/breeds I have owned:

• You definitely cannot 'tell' her, you must ask, very politely
• You will receive incredible loyalty in return
• She will tolerate other people riding/caring for her, but only tolerate it - she prefers it when I am there even if it is just riding another horse in her company and definitely has me at the top of the hierarchy (my husband has to watch out when I'm there... and as for the dog...!)
• She is amazing to lead/work with on the ground - she almost watches my feet to see what speed she should be doing

She loves to explore new places, and although needs a 'hug' for reassurance from my legs now and again, doesn't need to be told what to do all the time.

I fell in love with Arabs as a child - too many Shantih books I think - I love it that someone owns a 'Shantih' on here! And I was lucky enough for my first pony - sorry horse- to be a chestnut Arab cross Welsh B. I have learned so much from her, we have been together 15 years now and she will have a home with me forever - other horses have been and gone, but she won't go anywhere.

 

[FoxedOff]

I hate people who say arabs can't jump!
I adore my part bred anglo! He has a beautiful head and would jump the moon for me. I've only had him since september and I'm already 100% in love with him & his breeding.