talk to me if you have owned an arab but then went for a native breed

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dorito

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I would be very interested to hear from arab-lovers who, after having an arabian, chose a native breed for their next horse, and whether they regret the decision?

What is better/not so good?

I am NOT looking to start any silly arguments, I want the - as far as possible - objective opinions of people who have experienced owning/riding both arabs and natives.

TIA!

(just so you know where I'm coming from, I had an arabian and still love the breed but am now older and wimpier - am now looking at possibly a fell or highland. Tried a fell recently and was very impressed)
 
Ah....well....I currently own both an arab AND a highland:)

I love them both for totally different reasons.....you know exactly why I love riding the arab;).....the highland is totally different- less adrenaline filled if you like but still fun.....I tend to ride the highland if I want a steady ride and can't be bothered with 'antics':D

If I had to have just one....it would be a hard choice. I think the highland is probably more versatile and less of a challenge......but the arab just puts a smile on my face. I like the 0-60 effect of the arab instead of going through the gears on the highland:D


Sorry....that was in fact totally useless and I have been no help whatsoever....:o
 
I haven't owned an arab, but ridden plenty.

I ended up buying a native (fell) as I wanted a good all round family pony that would turn its hoof to anything.

I ended up with an unbroken mare that I brought on and I honestly have no regrets, she has a wonderful loving, if sometimes cheeky temperament, will jump, ride through the busiest towns, do dressage or plod about enjoying the countryside if that's what I want to do. She can be surprisingly speedy when she wants to be too.

Most of the arabs I have ridden I have loved, but most of them would be quite spooky and look for excuses to spook if they could, whereas with my fell this doesn't happen.

I would say though that there are huge variations within the breeds, and you can get some that are slugs to ride, others that I wouldn't touch with a bargepole, but find the right one and you'll be fine. :D
 
I have had both arabs and many different natives, as with all breeds there are good and bad, it is really down to each individual.

One of the best ponies I ever had was a Dales, he came to me as a fairly unruly just gelded 31/2 year old to be broken, I later bought him when the owners no longer wanted him. He was, and still is in his next home, the most wonderful, sensible, yet fun and forward thinking ride, he would go anywhere do anything always with a big smile on his face.

If you are thinking of a native go and try some, if well schooled they will give as good a ride as most arabs they may not move quite as freely but they are so much FUN:D
 
Typed out a long reply and HHO ate it. :(

Anyhoo... the jist was-

I did it the other way around and went from an old Fell (he was super-fun) to a young anglo-arab. The AA was the easier, safer, less spooky, more sensible horse (loved him).

I've known/ridden lots of natives (different breeds) and arabs/PBA's and they really do vary even when closely related, so I judge the individual, not the breed.
 
Just to add....although my arab is the speedy-prancy sports car of the two......he is by far the most obliging and actually less spooky of the pair....

Possibly an arabXhighland would be best of all......I do believe its a nice looking cross? I have seen pictures but don't have any.....
 
I've got an anglo arab and a cob. The arab type is a faster, prancy more spirited ride but he is high maintenance and costs me a lot of money each month. I have a rug wardrobe for him to make any horsey person green with envy. A rug for everything as he loses weight so easily.

I went for a cob youngster as I wanted something lower maintenance and a bit easier going. He's not broken yet but he lives on fresh air and costs me a bag of lami light and a hoof trim every 6 weeks. He has one rug for terrible weather otherwise he is out without and very happy!

the arab costs me bags of dengie, baileys number 4, blue chip pro, sugar beet, devils claw, shake relief and shoes every 6 weeks. He has crap hooves so I also have to spend copious amounts of money on cornucrescine.... But I love them both dearly for their very different characters and needs.
 
Couldn't fault my arab. She has stressful seasons being so hormonal on a busy yard and will kick you up the back side if you brush her legs without letting her know... But she never fails me. She's a schoolmistress in showjumping, dressage and will turn her foot to anything. Had her for many years and wouldn't part with her as she is reliable and successful.

Saying that, I am soon hopefully getting a Connemara if he passes the vetting, also have a Welsh D and a Welsh B. None are more favoured than the other. But I love all breeds, only reason why mine are what they are is mostly down to height as I am only a small adult myself.
 
I've got an Arab and a section D. The arab is confident and brave - does the whole 0-60mph thing, but straight back to walk if I want it. She's really fine but actually takes an extra wide saddle and lives off fresh air-would rather be out in the rain rugless, than tucked up in a stable The D is a big pansy - spooky, sharp, strong. As others have said, judge the horse and not the breed.
 
Hi Dorito, that's an interesting question - are you thinking of going from Arab to native?

I've done this but only by accident, i always liked Welsh Ds but I'm an Arab Person really. And then when i was at uni along came welsh D and i ended up buying him through default (I did say no but got a phone call after a few weeks saying 'please take him, just pay us whenever you want....!!!). For a bit i had an arab on loan as well at the same time which was great as I had some welsh-D-respite time...

For me Arabs are definitely the right horses, they are sensitive and fun and quirky and I like that they think forwards, while the Welsh D thinks forwards, backwards, sideways, upwards, all at once (he is a bit like me!). However, Welsh Ds are different to many natives so might be just a one-off, and he is particularly silly (scared of own shadow type).

I find I go through days with welsh D where I say 'that is it, I am never having anything but an arab again' and days where I think 'aaah he's so lovely I would consider having another welsh d'. But of all the time I've been with Arabs I've never thought 'God I'd never have an Arab again' (well, unless I'm looking at my feed bills in the winter).

Tell us why you're asking! Are you getting an Arab? Pics, pics!!! xx
 
Totally take the point about judging the individual, not the breed; however, breed characteristics (aka 'stereotypes') do exist...with good reason - no?
 
dorito said:
Totally take the point about judging the individual, not the breed; however, breed characteristics (aka 'stereotypes') do exist...with good reason - no?
Click to expand...

agree - totally true. You only hvae to look on here for threads about Welsh Ds, for example. So yes you have to judge the individual but I agree there are massive behavioural trends in many breeds! What are you thinking of getting???
 
Have had Arabs all my horsey life, still have one who is now 21, going on 3. Shes a "lively" ride, not always predictable, but actually very safe. Cant keep weight on her, and she refuses to eat at all if I try anything new that might actually help, so i accept that shes of the "leaner persuasion" and try not to get upset about it, anyone that lively cant have much wrong with her.

Also had natives , over the years have covered every breed except Highland, only because I am very small and my legs just wont go round one. Currently have Welsh D. Shetlands and my wonderful New Forest. The natives reassure me that not all horses are slim, have in the main very good feet (we are all unshod here). Totally unfussy about what they eat, just as long as they do, and anything you want to achieve is helped by food bribery, which has absolutely no effect on the Arab who views bribery with huge suspicion.
As I am now officially past my prime, the current Arab, who I have owned for many years, will unfortunately be my last. If I do buy another it may have to be a rocking horse.
 
dorito said:
Totally take the point about judging the individual, not the breed; however, breed characteristics (aka 'stereotypes') do exist...with good reason - no?
Click to expand...

No. :p

I've never met a 'typical arab' yet!

My grey is pretty much like Kipper (greedy and cheeky), just with longer legs. :D

Listener-9813893-Ponies8.jpg
 
I have best of both, my boy is part Arab part Newforest, so you can't wear him out, don't know where he gets it all from, and he's pretty hardy and clever :)
 
My Arab was spooky when she felt like it. Bombproof until she felt like dancing in front of trucks and certainly had a mind of her own. Beautiful and clever, but not a horse for a relaxing ride.

Fells- love them. Great natures, but sometimes the stride can be choppy.

Dales- great trots and certainly have more spirit than most natives, but sensible too. Easy to keep and turn their hooves to most things at a decent level.

Highland- well, I adored mine. Comfortable to rise, forward going, safe, loving, a bit bargy until trained and willing to try most things. I preferred the Highland ride for dressage- smoother paces, and most will have a good jump on them. Very sensible and intelligent. I'll always miss my boy. I would have another like a shot.
 
My Arab is doing a fabulous job of teaching my sharer to jump at the moment :) I've never ridden a horse I have felt safer on.
 
thanks for the useful replies, ie those that have answered my OP in the spirit it was intended.
sorry to say that some of you, I suspect are AL'ers!!! you know who you are, please please butt out of this thread.
I mean that most respectfully :D:D:D
 
I used to ride a native scared the pants off me spun out in front of cars buck and drop shoulder and generally made riding miserable. He now has a young rider who he adores and really takes care of her never horrid. I suppose they are like people some you like some you don't.
Love my arab she gives me confidence never spooky and very forgiving when I do something wrong.
That said last night I met part bred 25% Arab other 75% connie/ID. wow is all i can say 6 yrs old stunning and seemed to have all the best bits of the three breeds. I wanted to pop him in my stable.
 
I've got two arabs and a New Forest who are all completely different. My friend has Fells who I think are beautiful and she does loads with them but you might find them a bit stuffy after an arab. I'd definately recommend a Forester though, some of them do have some arab blood in them so can be slightly more refined than the other Native types. Hope you find your new forever friend but don't completely rule out another arab as if you can find a good one (very difficult as once you've got them you tend to hang on) they can be safe but fun.
 
Or get the best of both, I have had 2 arab cross natives! First was an arab x new forest, second was an arab x welsh, and both have been the most gorgeous and amazing horses!
 
I went from my highland to getting an arab to jump with....he just didn't click with me, and now I've got my new fell!! Tbh wouldn't ever stray from my chubby hairy natives again :D
 
I still have my Arab - I got him when I was a teenager.

Some years ago I got a second horse - strapping 16.1 draft.

The idea was that the bigger horse would carry me more easily and that he would be calmer and 'easier'.

And he fulfills that role.

But on the other hand, he is big and powerful and more scary when he gets mad.

I know I can trust the Arab 100% and that even when fly bucking and misbehaving - he will ALWAYS take care of me.

I love the big lad....and he is a lovely chap....but I don't trust him like I do the Arab.
 
My sister has a Welsh D and I have an Arab, so we have both breeds in the family :D
They're both lovely horses and you couldn't fault them temperament-wise, they're both great to handle and also nice to ride though neither has done anything fancy. The Arab is the calmer of the two and is definitely less spooky, but she is also 10 years older than the Welshie so has a bit more life experience. I love both of them and will hopefully get to look after the Welshie for a few months before he goes to join my sister at uni. I find the welsh boy very wide compared to my girl but he's still lovely to ride. So I don't see any reason for you not to adapt just fine to having a native. Although my Arab is much more chilled than a lot of the natives I know :D
 
The most intense relationships I have had with horses have been with Arabs. It really depends on what you feel you are going to need most as you get older, the one to one demanding relationship and ensuing satisfaction or the more relaxing, "I like you but I am perfectly happy without you" kind of horse. Tough one and may also depend on how 'sound' you are going to be physically.
If you end up needing something with a shorter less onward bound stride for instance you may have to 'go native'. Whatever you do I hope you have fun and go on enjoying your horses for a long time.
 
I have an Arab x Welsh, but I think of her as a straight Arab as she holds more of the breed characteristics. I have owned her since I was 13, (i'm 30 this year) and trust her more than any other horse I have owned. Along the way i've had a Welsh d x TB so not technically a native but put me off Welsh D's indefinitely, an overgrown Welsh A, who was fab but an older lady, a Highland x Cob who was the cheekiest, naughtiest little pig but I loved him and would def have another highland type, and a connemara xtb who was gorgeous, but just came to me at the wrong time ( I got pregnant 3 months after backing her). I wouldn't rule a native out, in fact I would really love a highland and we're thinking of getting one so my husband can ride out with me.
 
I've always liked arabs and ponies, and Wolf is half Welsh D (plus a bit of arab so the best of both worlds). I wouldn't say poinies are 'easier', just different. If arabs fart around, they tend to be all talk and no knickers and will deflate like a paper bag if you handle them right, whereas other horses may be more likely to follow through. Wolf needs a fairly clear set of boundaries or he loses confidence in you, which has been quite a learning curve for me as its a different approach to the one I've needed with the arabs.

Personally if I wanted an easy life I'd go arab, but that said you can't beat a bit of native spirit and toughness. They're all funny in their own way.
 
Another in support of the "look at the individual" line :D I think with all breeds there are lines that correlate with particular characteristics - its just that with arabs I could have a fair idea off the breeding what I might find, and I could still be wrong. I used a connemara stallion on my TBx mare and found out many years later that the talented but opinionated and actually downright argumentative offspring I got was about right for one of his... My daughter's connie is much slower thinking than the arabs and part-breds I have and for that reason she is the one I use as the "nanny" when taking the youngsters out hacking :D She also has a phenomenal and very honest jump but oh boy do I miss the arabian "sprung suspension" when I'm on her.

My other daughter's section B is a real feisty performance pony and I only regret that at 12.2hh I am never going to shrink to the point where I can hooley around on her myself...

I have ridden a Highland in my youth who had elevated paces and a lightness of going to rival any warmblood (in my memory anyway :rolleyes: ) but would run away from his own forelock on occasion and I remember hammering up a road trying to shake off the piece of bracken that was caught on my foot so that he would stop running away from it :D - and his 1/2 brother that was so laid back that he verged on downright lazy.

Breed characteristics yes, individuality definitely :D

PS, get one of each?:D
 
Avonbrook said:
PS, get one of each?:D
Click to expand...

Thats what Ive done!
Went for sensible option of buying a young highland to bring on as my last horse, then son took arab mare on loan as a games pony and I remembered what I was missing.
Now have arab x british riding pony as well!

Havng had fells, you should try before you buy, I found their gait a bit choppy, didnt like the canter at all.
Highlands paces are very comfortable, could trot all day (not that she would :D)
 
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