What are arabs like to ride?

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Minnies_Mum

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I've never ridden one and in my search for a new borrowed equine to ride at uni I've come across a 22yr old arab that needs some exercise. Only heard about her today, just putting feelers out at the moment, but I wondered what they are like. I know they are not reknowned for their jumping, but I don't jump anyway so I'm not worried.
 
I have a TB/arab x - he's sharp, forward going- jumps very well ....very schoolable...very supple ...loyal and loving....I love em, I would have a purebred next time, but them I'm biased!
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Absolutely brilliant. As a akid I would ride nothing else
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(given the choice!). Usuualy ended up on a hair welsh A but never mind. They're smart, fast and very quick-reacting. The ones I rode I found you either loved them or hated them. (the reason I rode them was because no-one else would - not even their owners!).
 
I had an arab mare (pts in Feb at 21) and she was an AMAZING jumper and excelled XC. She was a dressage and showing superstar with her old owner. Had cracking paces, was well schooled but very clever and knew every evasion tactic.

She was a chestnut mare too and had "issues" but all in all was a fun ride. Forward going, didn't love going out alone, used to try to tank, or at least jog home, took ages to "fix". Was a stress head and used to weave badly but was the sweetest horse on the ground. A fellow livery used to let her 4yo bring her in (I wasnt' there!) and she wouldn't put a foot wrong. She was really gentle and loved being fussed over.

Every one is different. I'd just go and see the horse then take it from there. You'll either click or you won't. Good Luck
 
I had a chestnut (four whites/blaze) mare who sadly died when she was just 13 years old - i'd had her since she was 2. She was always 100% safe, loved jumping, x country and everything else that any other horse could do - she just done it all with that little extra presence about her, and a little excitability but never dangerous.

If you like her go for it. Good luck.
 
Well there different but boy is it a nice different, there great to ride in fact the only danger there is ....is getting too used to riding them as you wont like riding anything else!
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Me and my friend used to ride out on her Arab x welsh C and a pure bred arab who was in his early thirties!! Acted like a 6yr old and was very excitable. He was very gentle though and an absolute star.

Also used to be at a yard where one of the liveries had an arab for showing and he was the ploddiest thing going until you rode him.
 
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the only danger there is ....is getting too used to riding them as you wont like riding anything else!
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I really wish someone had told me this before I've started. I've had mine for 4 years, she can jump and she can run (we don't do circles, it's a mutual agreement) what more could you want from a horse
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I have two and wouldn't change them for anything. The older one used to love Xcountry and showjumping - you name it he would throw himself over it! He was also pretty good at flatwork but hated it. (The younger one won't even go over a pole on the ground in case it eats him.)

They're forward-going, intelligent, fast, hardy, not fizzy unless you wind them up. They can have the most amazing extended trot that's quite hard to ride as it's so active!

Give the mare a go and I bet you enjoy yourself.
 
Thanks for the views guys! I heard about her through a friend who currently rides the mare's son, and apparently she's pretty laid back and gentle. I'm not a very brave rider so I don't want something too daft and excitable, but at the same time I want it to go forward and have a bit of life about it. It's a fine balance! There is an outdoor school at the yard where she is, so at least I can try her there first. Won't be for a couple of weeks as the owners have gone on holiday, but I guess I'll just suck it and see, as the saying goes.
 

What else is there to add to the above posts. My boy is also a chestnut with white blaze who is an absolute gem, he is my first horse.

I used to share horses or ride for other people and I have to say that my Arab is far nicer, trustworthy to ride then the cobs I have ridden or the TB's!! But he is not boring he is forward going but never stupid or frightening. I love him !
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i have an arabx tb, related to hyperion :P chestnut mare :P

immense jumper, xc bigger than 3'6, she 14h2. she is quick, scatty, responsive. but affectionate, trainable, incredibly supple 4 a 17 yr old.

probably not an ideal first pony... but i have learnt so much, a much better rider. and i couldnt have asked for anything better. i love her too pieces, i hope you have a great time with your new ride
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In a word - FUN!

If you chill, they chill. They are generally very sensitive and tend to look after their riders. If you are used to riding a long necked horse it may take a while to get used to their slightly shorter necks and higher carriage, depends on the type of arab this mare is. They come in all shapes and sizes, I have never met one yet that I wouldn't happily get on, whereas faced with some cobs and ALL warmbloods I would cry off.
 
Arabs and anglo arabs and part breds are generally .............................................................................................. Brilliant !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They can be very spirited , Very scatty , or not at all , depends on the individuals temperament really .
They can be very fast , very good jumpers if they fancy it when you do , 3ft , 4ft , 5ft has been known by my friends 15hh as well as my own 16.2hh anglo arab !!
They can be the worst horses ever if the two of you disagree, but they can be the best horse ever , your horse of a lifetime usually !!!

I love my anglo arab !!!! Im sure you will love riding one of these little horses !!!!

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Like all breeds there's good ones and bad ones to ride. I've only ever ridden one Arab that had no brakes but I think that was a lot to do with the owner and lack of schooling.
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My most memorable experience of riding an arab horse was riding a Berber Arab stallion on a 14 day holiday in Tunisia, a daily trek camping overnight, we ended up in the Sahara desert. He was a great horse, well mannered and excellent to ride, the only problem was you had to vault on!

But he was great, a lovely, spritited horse to ride, just wished I could have brought him home with me.
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From my experience probably the bravest horses you will meet-but only once they trust you. They can be neurotic but if they trust you they will do anything for you. You cant argue with them though-you will never win! I have been converted to Arabs since I started working with them when I graduated, a fab breed.
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In a word: wonderful!

Quite a lot of people regard Arabs as the perfect riding horse - and they are after all the origin of all light-horse breeds...

Of course within any breed there are all sorts of different types and temperaments, but Arabs are generally fun, responsive and forward-going to ride.

They do have a very low boredom threshold, though, so avoid doing repetitive exercises or endless monotonous circling, as they will get frustrated - if you are riding in a school, do lots of transitions and changes of direction, etc. The upside of this is that repetition is usually unecessary, as they tend to be very intelligent and very quick learners.

I'm sure you'll have lots of fun!
 
I rode an Arab stally on the weekend for the first time, and I really liked him. He was obviously very inteligent and very nosey! Always looking at everything around him, but not at all spooky. A little bit of a diva though!
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In a word - wonderful!

My mare was backed in March and she is quite honestly the smoothest, most enjoyable horse I've ever had the pleasure to ride.

There's no harm in trying, and who knows you could make a great partnership!
 
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