What do you like/dislike about Arabs?

Quadro said:
I have to say i think they are terribly ugly! I also see them as slightly pointless.....................but if you can point me in the direction of a purebred that has reached the top in sj, eventing, dressage i will take it back!
Just my opinion of course ;)
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Yes, in the same way that a cob would be pointless in the desert! As has been said before, the Arabian genes are an essential part of the English thoroughbred make up. They are bred for a job - not to sj, event or do dressage (or even pull a cart...). In their natural environment they are bred for speed and stamina and their ability to cover extremely hostile terrain. I also agree that the problem with many Arabs is their owners!!
 
I agree with Chico, what is there not to love, and as for arab owners thinking that their horse is better than all the rest well I know my arab is better than all the rest .... why? Because he's mine and I love him. I also have the best 2 shetlands in the world, the best ID mare and the best PBA miniature stallion. Don't you have the best horse in the world too!

He's 16hh, in an XXL wide saddle, takes a 52 inch girth and does not have spindly legs!

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Hi Perissa (waves). Perissa's horse is related to my mare, proving that some Arab bloodlines consistently produce big strong horses.
Different horses for different courses isn't it? There are some Arabs out competing (I think there's a thread in the competition board at the moment with photos). However, the breeds that are out doing sj, cross country etc have all been strongly influenced by Arab bloodlines.
 
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I'm loving the photos everyone! :D

Here's my filly (when she was a wee, slip of a thing) doing her 'peacock tail' impression!

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I have to agree with everyone re Quadro's post. I'm not an international SJ'er, dressage rider or eventer so I don't need a horse that can compete to that level. What I want is a horse that can potter about the Welsh hills and can do local level shows. I love my horses and they are well looked after, so it really doesn't bother me if Arabs don't float someone else's boat. I do feel that arabs get a bit more negative comments than other breeds and I don't believe thay they deserve it, but nevermind, it's not the end of the world. :p
 
flamehead said:
Sorry Enfys I meant Chico Mios horse *has blonde moment*. xxxx
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Thank you! He is the most scruffy looking donk imaginable in his paddock - but when he moves he is incredible! He has this extended trot he goes into where his back legs go out round his front feet - OH says he looks like an alien from behind :eek:
 
Aw, lovely baby! (What bloodlines??). All the horses on this thread look lovely to me. I'm sure if people posted photos of hairys I'd think they were lovely too.
 
Well mine's only half arab but he just about manages 3DEs, ODEs, Dressage, jumping and he's one hell of a horse for teaching his rider to sit in the saddle properly!

And don't forget the ears......cute, pointy little ears :D
 
Mm,scraping my brain at the moment, but I seem to remember that an arab held the high jump record for show jumping at one time, and I also think that one won the Olympic show jumping gold back in the 30s.

Henry Wynmalen rode Arabs and competed in dressage, in his Equitation and Dressage books they are doing all the High School moves, pictures of them

When Horse and Hound did a series of famous horses, eventers, show jumpers, hunters, etc. I noticed just how many had Arab blood not very far back in their breeding.
The original Arabs imported by Lady Wentworth were quite chunky and strong looking, with good strong hindquarters. Not quite sure where that went. There are different types of course.

They are notorious for being spooky, but that is because they are alert and were bred for being ridden around the desert and to keep an eye on what was happening. I have always thought they are a very sound breed.
 
Thanks faracat, I saw quite a few comments about arabs hence the post. The controvosy doesn't bother me, but it interested me that there was such a clear divide of feelings re: arabs and I don't see that in other breeds here, but I haven't been here that long, either.

I don't think Mo looks much like an arab, but here's a pic I took of him today :)

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Love - they are funny and loyal and very much individuals

Spud is a simple soul. He's naiive, easily confused, and likes things to be just so. He wears his heart on his sleeve and what you see is what you get. Safe as houses, he's the one we pimp out if we have visitors:
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H is an intellectual. Very serious and a workaholic, if you asked him for the moon he'd give you the stars aswell. I love the very bones of that horse - he's been in my life for 21 years. (And he doesn't do affectionate...oh no....cos he's 'ard....)
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I love everyone's photos, I find arabians beautiful and somehow a little brainier than most other breeds. I love that they have the presence, comfort, speed and athleticism of horses but also the handiness, hardiness, dependability and intelligence of ponies.

I am so proud of my new boy. Partly because even though he's really green he's safe, sensible and straightforward. Partly because he's proving to my yard mates that arabs are not nutters. Partly because he has a temperament like a puppy. Finally, because he's gorgeous like a little Barbie horse.

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Great breeding Faracat! I love to look and see what other people's horses have in common with mine. Quite a lot in the case of your foalie.
My boy is a bit of a Barbie horse, he can't help it though, he was bred in America where they like Barbie Arabs. We meet a lady on her horse when we're out sometimes, she always says "Ah! It's the purdy Arab again".
 
I am sooo happy and each day is even more of a bonus. Those pics were taken just over 2 months ago! Who'd have thought it - not me thats for sure but I never gave up hope.
 
I love Arab's, M's was Welsh X Arab so again I am biased.

I have never known a lame Arab, they are unbreakable and have bucket loads of stamina! However they are very spooky and the fact they can turn on a sixpence usually means I end up on the floor!
 
Like: sheer versatility and enthusiasm to give anything a try. Placed ridden showing at HOYs, jumps higher than I ever want to

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Credit David Sellars
(and he can do it "properly" that one just makes me laugh because he was posing for the camera)

heaves me round the countryside with no adverse comments

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Credit Noble photos

and is sweet with the kids

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Not bad for an entire :D Oh, and he plays nicely with his sons too

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Dislikes: smarter than me quite a lot of the time.
 
I was never a lover of arabs. My sister had one and she was sweet enough but seemed so high maintenance. Since those days I have now how ever aquired a 37 year old one who I adore, she is cross welsh but all the arabness is definately in her! She is sharp, intelligent, a bit of a wuss, fast, terrible in cold weather (probably her age lol) but having been involved with her for over 5 years and owning her for one and a half, my mind has been changed! I have even worked at a palomino arab stud recently and fell in love with the Moonshine horses my boss was breeding.

I can't say there is anything I don't like about them...after all a horse is a horse by any standard! lol
 
marragic said:
I love Arab's, M's was Welsh X Arab so again I am biased.

I have never known a lame Arab, they are unbreakable and have bucket loads of stamina! However they are very spooky and the fact they can turn on a sixpence usually means I end up on the floor!
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Where do you get the 'they are very spooky' from?

Mine isn't, my previous one wasn't and although some are, like most breeds, most I know aren't. They are more aware then other breeds but I don't interpret that as spooky. To me spooky means jumpy and shying,

It is very true what you say about them turning on a sixpence though!
 
flamehead said:
Sorry Enfys I meant Chico Mios horse *has blonde moment*. xxxx
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He is rather pretty isn't he?

I was going to say - can't be one of mine, not only are they palomino, they are Quarter horses;)
Although my mare in the avatar is an arabian by Amurath Baikal and Grand-daughter (and Great Grand-daughter) of the legendary Bask, you do find some jewels caked in mud and starving in a feed lot sometimes.
 
Don't like them simply because I can't find one big enough for me to ride ;)
Damn my 5ft 11ness...
Although they are a little 'too fine' for my liking, I'm not saying I don't like them, they are rather special, but I like something with a little more substance ;)
 
They're a funny shape, and have funny legs. I've known a few, and every single one was a swivel-eyed loony. There's one at my yard atm, and the girl who owns him does so well with him, she rides him beautifully and gets so much out of him ... but he's still a total headcase and she can't do half the stuff that the rest of the kids her age do with their horses because he's so ... sensitive.
 
HATE them. Never owned one, had several on livery at ours, generally didn't like them pushing walls down, their stupid ugly faces, the fact that to me they seem massively useless unless you're into enduro (which I am NOT), they are so highly strung, scared of their own shadow and seem to be mind numbingly stupid.
They are one of the only breeds I can just not get on board with, in any way. I have types I prefer, colours I prefer, I'm a pretty open minded person (hell, I even have a p.ikey irish coloured bog pony) but I draw the line at arabs. I just can't bend that way.
 
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Pretty horses,but a pot plant is pretty.Knew one once that could`nt walk in a straight line cos it shyed at it`s own shadow,it was by then seven years old for goodness sake.Stupid animals in my opinion,as useful as a chocolate teapot.
 
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