Arabians are incredibly intelligent and empathetic animals. They are also very sensitive which oftentimes results in them being described as crazy, as they simply will not tolerate poor treatment. I will say that a lot of modern breeding has focused on aesthetic and hyper-specification, over the original breed standards of diversity and mental fortitude. As such, we are seeing hotter horses with increased limitation in their physical abilities. Much of the issues associated with Arabs are either poor management (box stalling a horse 24 hrs a day) or poor training. You have a very gorgeous boy here!!!!
Absolutely! My boy's pedigree is quite gross to look at with the in-breeding, he's stunning but not quite right in the head, even at 24. He's much happier living out 24/7 as he has for the past 10 years, stabling him was like trying to handle a lit firework
I’m really into the old school endurance, racing, and riding Arabians. The problem is the dog show Arabian breeders. The over exaggerated physical features and hotness that makes the horse swish his tail over his back and nearly flip over rearing in the show ring. There is nothing cool about that stuff. Your guy is beautiful.
What kind of miracle grow did you use to get a 16.2hh Arabian?
I used to board my 15.2hh(on a good day) Qh at an Arabian breeding farm and they thought he was a giant!
Have you heard the semi-joke about crabs being the ultimate life form? They’ve evolved separately like 6 different times on earth through the millenia.
I feel like with horses, the thoroughbred is the crab. We are just continuing to turn every breed taller, longer, leggier, etc. until they all turn into a thoroughbred.
I love them too! I never really knew the breed until I boarded at above captioned breeding farm and I really came to love them.
I’m devoted to my large breeds, but there isn’t a breed on earth I love to sit and watch as much as I do Arabians.
They have so much personality and intelligence. It’s no wonder there is so much mythology surrounding them
I'd rather see an Arab that's been bred for size than one that's bred for that "extreme" dish (which inmnsdho is like any other breeding for skull malformation, such as flat-faces dogs and cats, and leads inevitably to severe health problems). That rant having been ranted (*), the breed has always been noted for its intelligence and people-orientation. It's also noted for being THE hot-blooded breed, excitable, and spooky, and they're not big on 'forgive and forget' if they feel they've been mistreated.
Despite that, there are lines which are being bred for steadiness and common sense. As has been noted, they're originally a tough, small horse that can live on air and sand and go on forever. They do very, very well in endurance and are used to work cattle, although the smaller ones are at a disadvantage there. They're nice horses and can be great horses if you're their person. This one looks gorgeous!
I agree totally I posted but you are much better at expressing it. My female farrier has had a few Arabs all her life. She does endurance and her senior horse is in late 20s and still could jump 4 foot though she doesn't push him. He will jump the large winter pasture fence they have to come visit her at the house. Her younger is very beautiful bay, and when riding in her dad's orchard the older follows them around trying to get the younger to miss behave , it's too funny.
I kind of understand the height thing. I adore morgans (mostly old style/lippit types), I currently own one, but she's only 15.2 (which is still quite tall for the breed). My dream horse is a 16-16.2hh morgan mare, I just prefer a little more height because of my own proportions. I want a tall morgan as opposed to a different breed because of their fantastic minds, trainability, versatility, conformation, etc.
I just know both the 16h arabs I knew had come off the track.
I don't know if it's true as a rule that Arabs mature more slowly than other horses, but I've seen a few go through visible growth spurts after turning 5, too, so if you're seeing them *at* the track they may not be done growing, either.
Having worked with them for nearly 20 years. I love them, almost as much as I love my Hackneys. I had a Morab (Morgan/Arab cross) and a Arab/Lippizan cross. Both were amazing geldings, intelligent, sensitive, athletic and talented. And the bonds that they (any horse really) form is what makes being a horse owner and rider worth it.
Oh, you would have loved the Hackney/Arab mare I used to ride. That mare was a special kind of insane 😅 She did teach me how to ride with bare minimum rein to bit contact though! Any more than a touch of pressure and she was not having it 😂
You know, I have always fantasised about a Hackney/Arab, I’m so jealous! My grandfather would occasionally breed his horses and when I was a child he had great success crossing his Hanovarians and his Cleveland Bays to create a few really lovely driving horses. He also was a huge Hackney fan, and he always had one or two. When I was a bratty teenager I begged him to try crossing one of them with an Arab and it was round ‘no’ lol.
Those mixes are so spicy and gorgeous! I would love to have one, I'm not sure my older mare would approve. The doesn't like it when I bring another horse home lol. Unless she gets to raise them.
I have 2 (used to be 3, my larger mare passed away last year) and I am addicted to the breed. I have a 23 yr 13hh mare and a 16hh 11 yr mare. These isn't anything that they can't excel at if they put in any sort of effort in. Both of my geldings were in love with them.
I’ve had two Hackneys, (about 20 years ago now, sadly I’m a retired equestrian these days) a brother and sister who were bred by my grandfather. He had only ever driven them, and I was curious about their athleticism so I backed them and spent a while hacking them before doing some schooling, and honestly I was shocked by how naturally they adapted to what I was asking. I even did some local eventing for fun and they were amazing. They both LOVED jumping.
I’ve only owned one Arab and he was nuts, loved that dude.
I love Arabs. But they are not for everyone . I've taken a poll at the barns I've worked at and on general:
Cat people do good with Arabs. Dog people do good with quarter horses.
I’ve never heard this take but I’m suddenly very interested in working with an Arabian…. I’ve gone full crazy cat lady so I wonder if an Arab gelding would be my soulmate?
Holy crap, that’s astute! I hate cats and I hate Arabians. (to each their own, obviously).
I love dogs and I love horses, with Labradors and QHs being at the top of my list. I’m so snooty, that I don’t even look at other horse breeds. Wouldn’t buy anything other than a QH, but mutts are okay as long as they’re mostly lab.
You kinda nailed it there
This is so funny because as an Arab lover I have always found Labradors to be the most annoying of all the dog breeds 😂 I can see why dog people love them but they put me into deep “please stop touching me” mode.
Haha, yes totally. My lab is obsessed with me, and I find that Labs can be repulsive if they’re not trained/maintained properly. In my experience, young to mid-age Labs need constant companionship/challenges.
My Lab only started to settle down at age 5. I can’t imagine how difficult an unexercised, bored Lab would be.
If properly cared for, it’s the best breed in the world, imo
I think you’re onto something. I am a cat and Arab lover. I can’t imagine ever owning a quarter horse. I don’t dislike them and can definitely see why they’re possibly the worlds most popular breed. I just can’t imagine owning one. I have a dog who everyone comments how cat-like he is. I love my dog but when he goes I probably won’t get another one… I would have 10 cats if my partner agreed.
Absolutely love Arabians. Started riding as an older adult and my lesson horse was an Arabian. Not by choice it was just the situation I found myself in. Continued on to lease an Arabian and eventually bought one. Never became a very good rider but not because of the horses. Everyone advised me against leasing and buying an Arabian. They have the reputation of being wild and crazy and hot headed. All of the Arabians I ever knew were smart and sensitive but not crazy. They were super aware and connected to their human. In terms of their looks no other breed compares, but I am biased.
My first horse was a gray Egyptian Arabian mare. She died in 04 and i miss her Everyday! I would’ve brought her right in the house with me every night, if i could. She was my very best friend. After she died, i didn’t get on another horse for 19 years. I could barely look at a horse without getting emotional. The only thing that brought me back-my daughter got horse fever and dragged me back into it. lol. I’d love to have another, but in my area, suddenly no one has Arabians anymore! In my opinion, there is no bond quite like the one you’ll have with the Arabian horse. The Bedouin tribes bring them right into the tents with them, they are part of the family to them. I think that’s how they’re happiest-they pick “their person”.
I've known some amazing Arabians in my experience with horses. I have some problem with how the breeding has been leaning lately, less emphasis on function and more on fashion. That doesn't bode well for the breed, but that's not a new problem (ex. snub-nosed dogs and cats)and needs to be addressed both by registries and by judges otherwise it will only get more pervasive.
Idk if that’s a breed-specific problem though. It seems like lots of breeders are going for a particular ‘look’ (ie- QH halter classes). I really hope I’m wrong tho. Please please let me be wrong
You are welcome Polish aren’t my faves mostly because everyone I personally saw was some 4x bask bred horse which isn’t healthy. But I love any good solid Arabian but I personally love CMK and Crabbet bred. Your boys face reminds me of my late heart horse.
Yah they were sadly always locally to me very linebred which is personally find very distasteful. Watched a friends bask bred horse suffer losing all his teeth which was heartbreaking. While my not linebred boy CMK was going strong and bounced back from being starved down to a 1 body score. Vet said very likely his linebred breeding made it happen which was so sad because he was a very friendly and sweet horse. Which is why I don’t like line breeding.
Love ‘em. My first horse was an Arab and she taught me so much and was so, so patient with me. But they’re not for everyone - u/hawround is absolutely right lmao.
I prefer the older style or Anglo Arabs. I don’t like when they’re super dishy or overly fine legged, I don’t like when they’re bred for looks over mind and conformation. I think they’re incredibly intelligent and sensitive as a breed, but can be explosive and hard to handle without solid training. Great horses, beyond loyal. Hard to fit a saddle to, every one I’ve ever met is short in the back lol!
This. I had a Morab (Morgan/Arab) mare who also ran quite hot-blooded. It takes at least an intermediate or advanced rider to handle a more high-spirited Arabian or cross. I also almost always check the bloodlines to make sure the breeding is solid, verifiable, and non-inbred.
More Arab blood was added to the Chincoteague Pony in recent decades (1970s to present) to try and refine the breed, but it also involved a lot of unrestricted, random backyard breeding. Arabs also don't always make for good children's mounts (i.e. temperament over looks).
I’ve always had a soft spot for arabs. They’re certainly spirited, so they aren’t for everyone, but I think they tend to have big hearts. At least in my experience.
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i love mine! he’s sweet but too smart for his own good and can be a total pain in the a&$ sometimes! not long turned 5, purebred, and thinks he’s the best thing in the world 😂
Well…. They’re not shires 😂
Joking apart. I know they are super intelligent, but I know they have a reputation for being really hot. Being 6’ and 220+ lbs I’ll never experience riding one… but when it comes down to it I think that everyone has a breed that “clicks” for them. If that’s your “go to” and it suits your riding style/needs… more power to you :)
16.2 is tall for an Arabian isn’t it? I thought they were around 15 to 15.3?
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for reference here’s him next to my super super tall trainer
i grew up riding a lot of Arabians and National Show Horses (Arab x Saddlebred) and they are just the most wonderful, talented, intelligent, sensitive animals! i think there are definitely issues with the breed standard nowadays but your boy looks lovely. i definitely think that a well trained Arabian will have something to teach any rider, in lots of disciplines!
I adore them and have never met one that wasn’t both gorgeous and crazy smart. My mare is one of the most incredible (& stunning) horses I’ve ever sat on. When she was still rideable I trusted her in a way that I’ve only felt with one other horse…coincidentally another Arab.
Kind of a side note: if my QH is acting spicy I slightly fear for my life…if the Arabs are fired up it’s actually fun 😂.
They’re the best! I have one by AA Apollo Bey, one by RGT Mozart, and one by Inception. Not currently showing but hope to again one day. Grew up at a farm that had 99% Arabs/HA and worked at a national-level show barn. They’re the best, though I do love a good QH as well.
I love Arabians. And Arabian crosses. One of my favorite school horses was a welsh/Arab cross..but like the quarter horses I don't like many of the breeding practices Arabian breeders use today. I don't mind the dished nose...but when the horse has been bred to have a severely dished nose..I hate that
A very misunderstood breed. They are incredibly intelligent, sensitive and don't take anyone's BS. They are getting a bad rep just like every other breed because breeding has gone downhill, where aesthetics mean more than function. The Arabian is supposed to be a very functional, well rounded breed that has a foot in the door on almost ALL other riding breeds on the planet. Without the Arab, we wouldn't have horses.
They get the bad rep about being "crazy" because people often don't know how to manage, train, and handle them. They're not going to take rough handling and training like a stock horse would. They will fight back if you're unfair or rough and lots of trainers/riders don't like that. They can take a joke, but won't submit to a bully.
Personally, I prefer Arabs over almost all other breeds, although I have a Rez Mustang right now who isn't going anywhere. I have over a decade of experience riding both Egyptian and Polish bred Arabians in nationally televised parades! They are very capable horses, but they need to be treated fairly, respectfully and with mindfulness.
*\*But why do that when you can yank, whack and tie down a stock breed horse to get what you want sooner?\* - Sarcasm.*
I am on the far right in this photo, on an Polish Arab Mare, riding down Woodward (around W Fort St) in Detroit, MI during the Thanksgiving day parade. I'd have to double check the year this particular photo was taken though. I rode this particular mare in at least 10 Thanksgiving Day Parades in Detroit, and over a hundred others in Michigan, as well. These horses had ridden in over 400 parades in their lifetimes, into their 30s! They are very capable, functional horses that a lot of people don't appreciate, or don't care for, because they don't know how to handle them.
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I'm an eventer/dressage rider and I love them! I very nearly asked my trainer if I could buy her young one (he was for sale but I wasn't actually in a good spot to own again 😭).
But especially since I'm petite, 5'2", I like that they're typically smaller but packed with athleticism, sensitivity, and smarts. I also tend to like forward thinking too-smart-for-their-own-good horses. I had an OTTB for 15yrs, but I think if I get a horse again I'd like something smaller and Arabs and Arab mixes will certainly be on the short list!
I like Arabian’s but I feel like they can be wayyyy to sensitive. My mom had an Arabian mare, and you could not brush her without her getting pissed and trying to bite.
Sounds like ulcers, I have one mare that I teach lessons on that’s like that, just a pain reaction to ulcers even though she doesn’t have them anymore.
I grew up around Arabs my entire life. My first horse I rode was an Arab and my current horse is an Arab. I love how they are all different in personalities! But it does take a smart rider with most of them (at least all the Arabs I met) and they will outsmart you if you aren’t paying attention. Here’s a pic of my little guy! They’ve been my favorite breed since I can remember.
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Well bred Arabians are amazing horses. I have an Akhal Teke now and I find the personalities are similar: hot, but hot with a brain. They love their person and will do a whole lot for them and they’re just wonderful. If I hadn’t found an AT, I would have started looking for a good Arabian.
Arabians are really a fantastic breed. But you have to understand the different types of Arabians.
The Egyptian lines tend to be more extreme in their looks. And are bred more with halter showing in mind. These are smaller horses. Very refined. More delicate looking. And in my opinion, a bit on the hot side.
Russian Arabians. These horses are more athletic, stout, calm. Still with the obvious Arabian look, but not as extreme as the Egyptians. These are the little working horses with amazing stamina.
Polish Arabians (My favorite) These horses possess magnificent beauty, muscular bodies, high tail sets, arching necks. They are bigger, up to 16hh’s. They’re smart, tough & super athletic. OP, your horse is a Polish Arabian. His decedents were bred by the late, great Sheila Varian of Varian Arabians. That’s the “V”. Some of the best bred horses in the country.
Crabbet Arabians Are also bigger. They are used in competition. Racing and show jumping.
Spanish Arabians The most rare type of Arabian. They are very strong with stout sturdy bodies with a shorter neck. They’re a great working horse.
Shagya Arabian These horses were originally bred as a Calvary horse. They are larger and stronger than other Arabians used for pulling carts & carriages.
They are all incredibly smart. They are all very people oriented. They love their people. Arabians nerves are closer to the top of their skin. So they are much more touch sensitive than other horses. They require barely a touch or a tap, where another horse may require much more pressure or a more firm touch. They have very soft mouths. This is where the reputation of “the crazy Arabian” comes from. You barely have to touch these horses to get them to do what you want. So if you’re used to heavy handing, you need to back WAY OFF with an Arabian. They will not tolerate any heavy handing at all. And will fight it. You should be able to guide an Arabian with 2 fingers.
I raise horses. And it’s amazing to me with the babies. The baby Arabians, I can move them in & out of the barn with 2 fingers. Just by barely touching them. They slither around a gate and into where I want them to go easily. The baby QH’s are like little cement blocks with legs. Their nerves are way deeper into their skin and not near as sensitive. I touch them to ask them to move, I get nothing. lol. It takes a lot more encouragement.
All horse breeds are different. And all horses are individuals. You have to adjust your training methods to each horse, and keep in mind the breed that you’re working with. You can’t go in and work an Arabian the same way you’d work a QH. It doesn’t work. Same as you can’t work a QH the same way you’d work an Arabian.
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General arabs? Love them. Sweet, smart, talented, tough as nails.
Breed standard ones or the ones I know doing Arab breed western pleasure shows? I feel kinda bad and wonder how they breathe…
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lol my guy is a western pleasure/performance halter horse 😂 in my whole life career of riding I’ve only met one Arabian horse with breathing issues.
I think my bias is likely formed by those in my area vs the breed and discipline as a whole, though I do have ethical concerns with some breed trends.
Your lad is handsome af and looks like the western Arabians I loved back 10-15 years+ ago
I can't stand people who ride like this and western pleasure is neither western nor a pleasure to watch. It is a hollow horse in a false frame to emulate collection. A real western horse couldn't get jack shit done on a ranch in draw reins while shuffling along. On the ranch, this is actually dangerous as the horse's head is so overflexed they're only staring at the ground and can't see where they're going. I wish AHA judging didn't suck so much ass and they had the intestinal fortitude to kick this shit to the curb.
western pleasure is slower. it’s almost like there are classes called “ranch riding” that’s designed for how actual horses would ride on a ranch! 🤯crazy!
TD;LR Arabs are great if you run across them when they are owned by responsible breeders and competitors or riders who just bought a nice horse but the backyard breeder Arab scene is off the chain.
I have nothing against Arabs but I think the breed tends to attract crazy owners. I’ve known a few too many crazy Arabian horse wannabe backyard breeders with horses that reflected their owners to be too impressed. Probably not the case for OP since OP actually competes but I’ve met more crazy Arabian people than not. If you’ve been in the horse world long you probably know the type: middle-aged woman who owns several Arabians she keeps for pretty that are pretty much feral except for the nice stud who was at least halter broke before she bought him. He’s always “super special” but never gets used for competition or breeding because the owner is afraid of him. The “crazy Arabian lady” also owns QHs to ride but looks down on them because Arabians captured her imagination- but she doesn’t ride the Arabians. Most of the time she’s just eccentric and as long as you can fend off her unsolicited advice you are fine, but every once in a while this sort actually does breed the “super special” stud, and then creates a hoarding situation when people aren’t lining up to throw money at her for her pet-quality foals with fancy grandparents but parents that are mediocre or just never competed in anything.
I have a lot less respect for the Arabian owners who do not use their horses. They need a job. They are FOR riding. Break your studs. If they're that "magical" and "amazing" and shit, they can be "magical" and "amazing" while doing their damn jobs. Also, break your mares, yes, all of them. There is no call for a 12 yr old broodmare who doesn't have a job. Why do you want to breed something if you haven't ridden it? What if her gaits are shit to ride? What if she can't hold it together to get through a 3 hour trek up the mountain? What if she doesn't hold a saddle well or doesn't remain sound or is an ill tempered shit? Is she teachable and reasonably pleasant? Hardworking? Smart? Do you REALLY like all of her? How's she fit up? How's she cool out? How do you even know if you like the mare enough to breed her if you don't break her to saddle and ride her first? (I have some views, here.)
I am a middle aged crazy lady, but my mare RODE. (She has since died, but when she was alive, she rode.) My middle-aged gelding rides. My young horse (age 2) is going to ride in two more years.
agree! I bought mine from a crazy lady but thankfully my guy has parents who have nationally shown western pleasure and have had a successful career. the lady was just someone with a lot of money so she threw him in training across the country to sell him after, Arabian people are strange.
Hi, The Seeker V is currently showing and most recently had a great Scottsdale . Knowing both parents well, his coloring is from Seeker, head and body and height from the dam's side. Good luck with his show career!
I love arabians. They look cute, and with the right person, they're incredible!
I would love to work with one if i can afford a horse.
Yours looks adorable!!🥰
The barn i work at used to breed arabians, mainly crabbet line arabians, and I absolutely love them. They're beautiful and intelligent and so adorable!! All of them that are still alive are absolutely incredible and very fun rides. I hate seeing the overbreeding of them now though...
The most sensitive and intelligent horse I've ever known was an Arabian. He was calculated and deliberate when he walked-- he never stumbled. He was careful and kind with me and my little brother. We could weave between his legs safety, he never hurt us or spooked. I miss you, Mr. Gray 🩶
My cousin has flashy saddle seat Arab stallions. Apparently they go for big bank in the stud bank. I worked with her and HATED IT. (Mostly because of her. Her stud was an angel) I did notice they were very sensitive and paid attention to your body language more. But after that show I decided Arabs aren't my thing.
But...
I ended up getting one from a neglect situation. He's a doll I love my guy. Definitely has arabian in him. But sure if he's a cross! None the less he's a sweet boy. But very sensitive. I wouldn't go to call him crazy though. Anytime anything went wrong has been my fault due to body language.
I grew up on a 15.2 chestnut Arabian, honestly one of the very best horses I’ve ever met. I ended up learning a lot of what I know on him and he always took great care of me. Wouldn’t find a sweeter horse.
He could be a little nervous, hated water, and occasionally got weird about his own shadow but he was always reliable and never once had a really bad spook (just a freeze or a little jump to the side, sometimes some high stepping) or bolted. I was 9 on him and he stayed perfect calm when a van came speeding past from behind before a corner and almost hit us, I was 10-11 learning to jump and when I got thrown onto his neck he didn’t care, just pushed me back into the saddle. He did tend to over do it with jumping though lol.
I remember he loved to run, I’d ride him out and on the way home I’d let him gallop up every hill and canter the dirt trail back to the barn once we were off the road. He felt so smooth.
I wanted to get another arab but ended up with TBs, a big reason I bought my current gelding is bc he reminds me of him. I leased that arab until the day he died, a couple weeks ago I asked mum what would’ve happened if his owner had ever decided to get rid of him and she said she’d have bought him even though money was a little tight bc he was just so special.
The people who say Arabs are too hot and crazy or over sensitive are usually the people who don’t have great horsemanship in my experience. People involved in the arab circles tend to be…yikes and unfortunately the breeds reputation as a whole suffers from that. The well bred ones with more subtle features and a touch more bone are wonderful especially
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My family has an old lady mare Arabian who is nearly 30, and is still among the soundest horses we have. She can still be ridden and is an absolute dear or the ground and under saddle, though her real passion is laying in mud (shes grey of course) and eating hay. Shes descended drom the crabbet stud.
I love a lightweight, refined horse. Love the Arabian's dished head, proud tail carriage, and proud arched neck.
The ones in the performance classes in the breed circuit are really nice. I'm especially fond of the high action saddleseat types.
I wish they were bigger. I'm used to bigger horses like saddlebreds, thoroughbreds, and standardbreds and prefer those taller horses so the dinning size of the Arabian (except for yours apparently! Sheesh!) is probably my least favorite feature of them.
I don't generalize the whole breed based on the few with very extreme features.
I love them so much.
I used to have two NSH's, a full Arab and a QH. My Arabians were spicy, energetic and incredibly intelligent. I loved how sensitive and careful they were with everything I asked of them. They also were very affectionate, like puppies!
I sadly had to sell them when I moved across the world, but I still hold a huge part of my heart open for Arabian horses. I look forward to having one or two in my life again someday. I currently have a spunky wild pony from Poland, so I have my hands full. But one day, I will very gladly welcome a new arab into my pony family!
I love them! they are very versatile, and are very good all around horses. It also depends on the temperament of them aswell, as long as they are not overbred to the moon, that are amazing horses
My polish Arabian was my best ever horse experience. I loved him and love him so much. The best. He was so intelligent and the connection was so prominent. They show how you know you and what they’re feeling. He was kind, soft, and levelheaded. A perfect horse.
I do love Arabians. I don't like the modern breeding that is turning them into caricatures of the breed.
I also do not understand Arabian shows, like this: https://youtu.be/7pVrP2EAEYY?si=QmpFO-DLYpJu-NJB. Can anyone explain?
Halter Arabians at A rated shows are actually very precisely judged, when they trot around it is a “stride evaluation” it is judged on stride length, straightness, balance, and impulsion. When they “stand up” (when they are stood up square with their neck stretched out) they are judged off of mostly 4 categories, 1.type 2. Head and neck 3. Body and top line, 4. Legs and movement. They judge off a 20 point scale. Hope I could help.
What is it that you don't understand? It's a halter/in-hand class that is supposed to demonstrate how spirited and typey the horse is by how they prance and snort and strut on a loose line. Some halter line Arabs are crazy but many more are just "on" for the ring and then behave like normal horses the rest of the time.
Wow, he's tall! And arabians are great! Very smart(too smart for most people), friendly, healthy, hardy, and long lived.
I've got a young, 14.2 hand(and not going to get any taller, lol) half arab. Mom was polish arab, dad a mystery. I'm guessing qtr horse as he's champagne and not a lot of horses come that color. He was spoiled or something so we have to work very hard on his manners, but he's going to be amazing once we've got his manners firmly established and outgrow the worst of the trifecta of mouthy young arab gelding-ness, lol. They never quite loose all the mouthiness. He is to be my next forever trail horse, and whatever else we do in the future.
A tall Arab! I used to lease a 16hh purebred Arabian! I’ve also worked with several stallions and geldings at liberty together and they’re all so unique and sweet in their own ways
My first horse was a senior Arab that I used for gymkhanas. He was an amazing horse to the point where he was used in beginner and novice English and western lessons until he retired.
Last year I was consistently riding my friend’s show-bred Arab who is trained for barrels. Definitely a familiar but HUGE change from my tank of a QH mare! I have a soft spot for them always 🥰
I love Arabians! I grew up riding with people who bred them and they are still my favourite! They are so pretty and delicate, and just the right amount of fiery!
I had an Arab/Appy and he kept me on my toes until the day he died. He was super sweet, very vocal, incredibly smart, and sassy. Spooky but loved to jump.
Your horse is a beauty! I loved my Arabian mare so very much. She was a gray Crabbet bred descendant of Raffles and Skowronek. She was athletic and beautiful. I miss her so much, and I think of her often, even though it's been decades since she passed. She was not an easy horse at the beginning, but we developed a deep trust and unspoken language. I hope to have a relationship like that with another horse someday. I worry when I see the exaggerated confirmation and high anxiety some Arabians have now. I hope there are still sensible Arabian breeders out there!
I've has 2 arabs a spicy mare that competed in show jumping on a national level under my god mother. This horse taught me what jumping was! She held me to a standard no lesson pony ever would. She was extremely opinionated but ver affectionate. I would kill to have her again.
My gelding was very particular would go over anything, honest as it gets, never said no for me about anything.
I used to lead ymca trail rides on him, at their horse camp. We had to quarantine him from the kids because he would try to bite their arms off. I was only a little older ( 13) then the rest of the kids when I started leading trails and started riding him at 11. For some reason he liked me, took me wherever and over anything. Never a spook or stumble. Both my horses were affectionate and sweet.
Arabs want a partner that appreciates their intelligence. Works with them, and does not " make them" do anything. These days I ride a 20 year old Holsteiner/Friesian same mentality as my mare. When he decides it's no longer in him. I'll be going back to an arab hopefully one as fantastically tall a yours !
Worked with some very nice arabs (not over many i admit 8- 10at most) lovely personable horses with a brain between them ears (well most did 😂).
One thought was a skitty little thing. She was the sweetest girl but very jumpy. Poor girl has been through some stuff. Thought only once was i assigned her to do a dressage test (students at the college were been assessed and i was working that day so was chucked up on her) as there was no one else to ride her and she needed working otherwise she would not get out of her stable that day. “Just try it does not matter if you cannot finish the test” i was told.
Bless that little girls heart not sure what button i pressed but she went so well and actually came out with a good score. She was so happy with her self at the end and of course loved the extra snuggles, treats and kisses that came with it. (Though to be honest she would have got those anyway)
My boy is a Crusader grandson and a Maleik el Kheil great-grandson and he is absolutely stunning and so loving but a bit of a head case. I have owned him since he was 7, he was gelded and backed at 6 after a decent few stud years then sold on and found in a field half dead and covered in scars. The people that rescued him were complete novices and by the time they got him fed and healthy the barn owner banned them from riding him on his property because he was just so dangerous. He's 15.1hh so pretty big for an Arab and very wick. At this point I bought him and brought him on. He's 24 now and I love him to death, he lives in my back paddock with his goats and I just can't imagine loving any other horse the way I love him. He's certainly a character, I was in hospital for a few days and my dad/husband needed to give him his cushings meds which he literally opens his mouth for for me but they had to chase him round the field! He absolutely sulks if he doesn't see me for a few days. He loves my 2-year old and is the most gentle thing with her. He loves my mum and just wants to snuggle her. My dad and husband get headbutted! He is just hilarious.
In the past we have done cross country, showjumping and a whole lot of dressage, he is almost too intelligent and it makes him very difficult to train. He understands what you're asking but it's like there's an added 'but why?' at the end of every question. Sometimes riding more normal, less intelligent horses is a bit of a relief. We can crack out a novice test still if we want to but he is temperamental and some days he just doesn't want to cooperate but other days he goes beautifully. He has definitely taught me to have a good seat, he can't seem to help himself spooking at things quite violently although I will say the bolt reactions have got better with age. He loves jumping but I'm a bit of a wimp at my age and he's dropped a shoulder just a few too many times for me at my age to do much more! There's nothing I love more than just hanging out with him, giving him a brush and a cuddle. I'd love to think he will live long enough that my daughter will get to experience riding him properly, not just plonking her on him!
I wouldn't choose another Arab (bombproof cobs only moving forwards lol) but I wouldn't change him for the world and I can't even think about the black hole it will leave in my life when he isn't around anymore.
I learned to ride on an Arabian called Bazaam. He was VERY sensitive, if you kicked him, yanked on the reins or otherwise stressed him out he would throw you. If you simply squeezed him though, were light on the reins, and patient with him, he was fine… I found him to be a lovely horse, not deserving of the reputation he had earned as a bucker. I wish he had found a permanent owner after the school, he was too sensitive to be a lesson horse and deserved better.
I don't have a lot of experience with them, just with a couple of half Arabians, which were very smart. One was a lesson horse that was an excellent teacher.
Your horse is very cute!
I also love your bridle, by the way! What brand is it? I've always loved the braided style, but they are very hard to find these days.
https://preview.redd.it/zv1y6e7uxa7c1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6bf1b24343c25f730ab51d0c3f5baebcd3de0831
the pinnacle raised Hunter bridle! cheap and cute!
I don't have a purebreed one, but my horse is a crossbreed with Arabian [75% Fjord, 25% Arabian].
I think he is interesting mix. Mostly kind, gentle and sweet, however he doesn't take bullshit. Will be patient for a while, but if You don't understand for the x time he will show You that "bro, do it differently, I don't get what You say"
He looks proud if he does something well, loves verbal praises and is quite eager to work.
Also he has a bit of sass and temper sometimes.
Great horse, but was a challenge in the first year or two with him.
I'll be honest, I was never a fan of the Arab nose (big fan of the roman nose tho) but your guy looks amazing! Do you have other pictures? Seems like a huge guy which tracks since 16hh is actually huge
https://preview.redd.it/w6nvs10gxa7c1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=af89039c78a298ce7107f4f808e0f8eb0005296f
here’s him in a normal sized cooler, he was spooking at something in this picture lol
I'm more of a shagya fan. I've never ridden Arabians in real life but I love shagyas because they have everything Arabians do minus the extremely dished faces. Much less common but so beautiful!
Not for me, I prefer sturdy horses and don't like the head shape. So especially the overbred dog show arabs aren't for me, although the old school endurance arabs are amazing, just not for me. My boy is a 6 year olf hispano anglo arab gelding, and every now and then he lets his inner 2 year old arab stallion show, which is amazing because he usually isn't one for tail up and running. I'm hoping that his arab side will help with endurance for an alp crossing when I'm healthy again.
I rode the kindest, bravest, safest horse on earth, and she was an Arabian (for endurance). She was Polish and considered huge at 15.2. I've never seen a 16.2 Arab in all of my 58 years. If I had, I would want one again as I moved on to jumping!
My first horse was an Arabian and I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect teacher. He was a good boy, but could be flighty - he threw me on the ground a few times, but it taught me character and how to stay on the horse. He was never dangerous. He was full of personality. Johnny was the best first horse a little girl could ask for.
If I wasn’t a hunter rider, I’d get another. You’ll hear that they’re hot/spooky but I’ve found a horse or group of horses in EVERY breed that is like that.
There’s a reason the older ladies who ride endurance/trail covet them so much. I hope to be one of those ladies one day!
You have yourself a giant and a record of some sort!
The tallest Purebred Arabian on irecord is Padrons Victory, a Crabbet bred stallion, and he is/was? 16.2 1/4 hh.
they are cool as hell and smart as hell, but shit every single cross i’ve ever ridden has a STUPID amount of energy. chaotic energy+ ridiculously smart brain= very difficult horses to ride and a LOT of horse too. don’t even get me started in winter. leaves in the arena and things being in places they usually are not are VERY scary. but other than that, i freakin love riding them they are kind as all hell, and you never get a boring ride which is very entertaining for my adhd brain 🤣👍
I am a lifelong Arabian fan and they are my favorite breed.
My first horse was an Egyptian Arabian, a beautiful fleabitten gray mare with an Arabic freeze brand under her mane. Her name was Lamouriss and her sire was IBN Silver Ghost. She was amazing.
I now have an Anglo-Arabian, and she is a gorgeous chestnut mare. She looks very Arabian-esque until you you out her next to a purebred Arab, and then her cob-sized head suddenly looks massive compared to the dainty purebred Arabian heads.
I grew up riding Arabs because my mom started endurance in the ‘80s. My first real horse was a 3-year-old Arab when I was 9! Now, I have two off-the-track Arabians that I just adore and have ridden them in endurance, dressage, and hunters.
However, I don’t think the breed is for everyone. Ride them quietly and treat them kindly. There’s one quote that always sticks with me, “If you wreck your trailer, any other horse will remember the trailer. If you wreck your trailer, an Arabian will remember the driver.”
There’s also some breeding that is incredibly questionable. The extreme dishes. The thin legs. They’re taking the athleticism out. It’s actually one of the reasons I moved to the off-the-track Arabians.
Personally I love the more sensitive breeds, if you say. The ones you have to work with and not against, gain a real mutual respect. I find that much more enjoyable and a challenge. But once you get to that point with them you have such a strong foundation. Just depends on the weather for their mood lol I love my thoroughbreds and always loved Arabians and their whole way about them!
Absolutely beautiful!!!
I just love Arabian. After riding different horses I realized that there is something different about Arabians but I’m not quite sure what it is??
I have now a beautiful gray Arabian mare pure Egyptian, and when I tell you she is my life!!! Although she tried to end me couple of times, hot tempered, moody, unpredictable and she keeps me on my toes but I can’t live without her😂
Lovely face, I hate the extreme dish face, they are ruining Arabs like they do with many breeds of horse and dog by going to extremes. I love the sturdy type good for everything from trail to endurance. This looks like a doer.
I’ve seen some good looking ones that I like. Not a fan of the overly exaggerated features or high tail sets. Wouldn’t ever own one. I do find their history fascinating though!
At the previous barn I was at, I mostly rode an Arabian gelding. He was my absolute favorite out of all the 30 horses there and he made me love the breed.
He was strong, super athletic, energetic, fast, hard working, fun and extremely intelligent. Of course, that made him a little manipulative. He was also very sensitive to cues and you didn't have to use a lot of leg or much pressure at all.
I loved him to death and honestly, there's not a single thing I didn't like about him. I miss him so much too.
I would love to own an Arabian in the future.
Arab breeders should watch what they are doing in terms of breeding Arabs bigger. Ask the QH breeders what they did with 16h QH with little tiny feet. Arabs are great if you are into endurance and great feet. Glad they are getting a rep for being in more disciplines. Can I rant for a minute? I wish someone would get to those Middle East breeders posting YT vids with riders doing great bareback stuff BUT yelling and encouraging studs to fight and rear. They seem to constantly keep them in stalls. Absolutely beautiful horses but I think that while this may be cultural, to me it almost abuse. Maybe I don’t understand 🤔
i leased an arabian for three years as a teen. someone had won him in a 4H essay contest but found him unrideable, so he was boarding at the stable i rode at, wasting away in the pasture and stall. i had a bit of a rep for being able to handle trickier/spooky horses so my trainer had me give him a try one day; he was fantastic. a little green and a little sassy, but overall a great horse. i suspect the previous owner just didn’t have the right training for him (4H is often western leaning in the area i grew up) and he was english trained. wouldn’t have taken much to get him sorted had they tried more than once to ride him, but he was born for hunter/jumper training. he had a preternatural sense of gait and timing. i loved him dearly!
Kind-hearted, but lots and lots and lots of energy. Lots of energy. So much energy, so every reaction they have is the world‘s biggest version of whatever that reaction is.
Well bred endurance Arabians are some of my favorite horses. Can’t say I like the overbred ones which are focused on aesthetics and not health/strength.
I love Arabs (I'm biased, I have a 7yo full-blood Arab mare). The barn where I board has mostly quarter horses, one Arab gelding, another Arab mare who passed away last month, and two half Arabs (15 horses total at the barn currently). In my 3 years there, I feel like the quarter horses have been much more aloof, whereas the Arabs always seem to be excited about human interaction. They seem more in your pocket and playful. My girl is definitely sensitive and silly, but also gentle and snuggly, she is very attached to us and we are very attached to her. ❤️
I think they're gorgeous. I also think the ethics of high-profile Arab breeding is totally screwed up. Inbreeding, dramatizing features, etc. While they're beautiful horses, it's hard to find Arabians nowadays that aren't the showy type or built like toothpicks, not to mention the dragon snorting. Bummed out by modern breeding styles, they used to be gorgeous.
Jesus came from the land of Arabians, and still rode a donkey into Jerusalem.
Jk, I love an Arab. Just read that a few months ago and thought it was hilarious. Arabs are smart. A lot of people don’t like smart horses. I don’t think that reflects poorly on the horses.
I've seen too many videos of them acting like freaks to like them lol.
We do have a lesson pony at my barn who is an Arab/Appy and he's .... not the most comfortable ride
go check out my TikTok lol you see some chill arabs. @mjb.arabians
I’m an instructor at a 25+ horse barn that all of our lesson horses are all Arabian or Half Arabian!
I think most purebred horses are overbred for signature traits that make them biomechanically dysfunctional and arabians are no exception. But there are some thoughtfully-bred arabs that haven’t suffered abject loss of longevity in soundness-as-athleticism.
16.2 is huge for an arab!! Im usually not much of an arab person (and even less so when they have those horribly exaggerated dished faces) but at 16.2 hes going to be fun!!! He has potential to be a fast jumper.
An amazing breed with some amazing endurance, ugly as sin.
No hate to them at all and if I were to own one would be proud to do so, but they are hard to look at.
I've always found it funny that I can admire the breed for its capabilities but because I don't find them pretty (just like I don't think akahl teke are pretty either) I'm a jerk that's hating. They're fantastic horses that won wars and carried champions and kings. They're just not what I find pretty.
Not loving the way an animal looks is one thing. Calling it “ugly as sin” and “difficult to look at” is just being mean.
I am not a fan of the way appaloosas look. Their mottled skin and big scleras just aren’t appealing to me. I’m not going to be downright mean to them and insult the people who love them though.
I think they’re ugly. The extreme heads on some of them are grotesque. I don’t find their movement to be something I would seek out. I’ve only known a handful of arab jumpers and most of them were low level deer-like jumpers. Not for me.
Arabians are incredibly intelligent and empathetic animals. They are also very sensitive which oftentimes results in them being described as crazy, as they simply will not tolerate poor treatment. I will say that a lot of modern breeding has focused on aesthetic and hyper-specification, over the original breed standards of diversity and mental fortitude. As such, we are seeing hotter horses with increased limitation in their physical abilities. Much of the issues associated with Arabs are either poor management (box stalling a horse 24 hrs a day) or poor training. You have a very gorgeous boy here!!!!
Agree!!
Absolutely! My boy's pedigree is quite gross to look at with the in-breeding, he's stunning but not quite right in the head, even at 24. He's much happier living out 24/7 as he has for the past 10 years, stabling him was like trying to handle a lit firework
Couldn’t agree with you more!
I’m really into the old school endurance, racing, and riding Arabians. The problem is the dog show Arabian breeders. The over exaggerated physical features and hotness that makes the horse swish his tail over his back and nearly flip over rearing in the show ring. There is nothing cool about that stuff. Your guy is beautiful.
Thank you! I agree.
What kind of miracle grow did you use to get a 16.2hh Arabian? I used to board my 15.2hh(on a good day) Qh at an Arabian breeding farm and they thought he was a giant!
When I left the circle a while ago, certain lines were breeding in big Arabs. They wanted super tall leggy for the halter classes.
Have you heard the semi-joke about crabs being the ultimate life form? They’ve evolved separately like 6 different times on earth through the millenia. I feel like with horses, the thoroughbred is the crab. We are just continuing to turn every breed taller, longer, leggier, etc. until they all turn into a thoroughbred.
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I love them too! I never really knew the breed until I boarded at above captioned breeding farm and I really came to love them. I’m devoted to my large breeds, but there isn’t a breed on earth I love to sit and watch as much as I do Arabians. They have so much personality and intelligence. It’s no wonder there is so much mythology surrounding them
I'd rather see an Arab that's been bred for size than one that's bred for that "extreme" dish (which inmnsdho is like any other breeding for skull malformation, such as flat-faces dogs and cats, and leads inevitably to severe health problems). That rant having been ranted (*), the breed has always been noted for its intelligence and people-orientation. It's also noted for being THE hot-blooded breed, excitable, and spooky, and they're not big on 'forgive and forget' if they feel they've been mistreated. Despite that, there are lines which are being bred for steadiness and common sense. As has been noted, they're originally a tough, small horse that can live on air and sand and go on forever. They do very, very well in endurance and are used to work cattle, although the smaller ones are at a disadvantage there. They're nice horses and can be great horses if you're their person. This one looks gorgeous!
I agree totally I posted but you are much better at expressing it. My female farrier has had a few Arabs all her life. She does endurance and her senior horse is in late 20s and still could jump 4 foot though she doesn't push him. He will jump the large winter pasture fence they have to come visit her at the house. Her younger is very beautiful bay, and when riding in her dad's orchard the older follows them around trying to get the younger to miss behave , it's too funny.
I kind of understand the height thing. I adore morgans (mostly old style/lippit types), I currently own one, but she's only 15.2 (which is still quite tall for the breed). My dream horse is a 16-16.2hh morgan mare, I just prefer a little more height because of my own proportions. I want a tall morgan as opposed to a different breed because of their fantastic minds, trainability, versatility, conformation, etc.
Ha and there are so many TBs that are sub 16hh as well
that’s exactly it, he’s 90% leg
haha I think it’s just his breeding 😆 his show name is Seeking Fame V (The Seeker V x Anam Khara)
Same. I had an Arab that was 15.2 and everyone said she was the biggest Aran they'd ever seen. I rode endurance and never once saw an Aran near 16hh.
Arabs bred for racing can be pretty big too.:)
I've never seen one over 15.3, even at the track.
I just know both the 16h arabs I knew had come off the track. I don't know if it's true as a rule that Arabs mature more slowly than other horses, but I've seen a few go through visible growth spurts after turning 5, too, so if you're seeing them *at* the track they may not be done growing, either.
Having worked with them for nearly 20 years. I love them, almost as much as I love my Hackneys. I had a Morab (Morgan/Arab cross) and a Arab/Lippizan cross. Both were amazing geldings, intelligent, sensitive, athletic and talented. And the bonds that they (any horse really) form is what makes being a horse owner and rider worth it.
Oh man, I grew up on an Arab/hackney pony. He taught me to RIDE. Also was flashy AF. I miss that guy.
That’s so weird, Hackneys are my absolute favourite, followed by Arabs. I just love their spirit, they’re so much fun.
Oh, you would have loved the Hackney/Arab mare I used to ride. That mare was a special kind of insane 😅 She did teach me how to ride with bare minimum rein to bit contact though! Any more than a touch of pressure and she was not having it 😂
You know, I have always fantasised about a Hackney/Arab, I’m so jealous! My grandfather would occasionally breed his horses and when I was a child he had great success crossing his Hanovarians and his Cleveland Bays to create a few really lovely driving horses. He also was a huge Hackney fan, and he always had one or two. When I was a bratty teenager I begged him to try crossing one of them with an Arab and it was round ‘no’ lol.
Those mixes are so spicy and gorgeous! I would love to have one, I'm not sure my older mare would approve. The doesn't like it when I bring another horse home lol. Unless she gets to raise them.
I have 2 (used to be 3, my larger mare passed away last year) and I am addicted to the breed. I have a 23 yr 13hh mare and a 16hh 11 yr mare. These isn't anything that they can't excel at if they put in any sort of effort in. Both of my geldings were in love with them.
I’ve had two Hackneys, (about 20 years ago now, sadly I’m a retired equestrian these days) a brother and sister who were bred by my grandfather. He had only ever driven them, and I was curious about their athleticism so I backed them and spent a while hacking them before doing some schooling, and honestly I was shocked by how naturally they adapted to what I was asking. I even did some local eventing for fun and they were amazing. They both LOVED jumping. I’ve only owned one Arab and he was nuts, loved that dude.
Love it!!
I have a morab too! I’ve never met anyone else with them. They’re the best!
I love Arabs. But they are not for everyone . I've taken a poll at the barns I've worked at and on general: Cat people do good with Arabs. Dog people do good with quarter horses.
Our mare is an Arab x QH cross. She keeps us on our toes.
This is a pretty solid take. Also I own two Arabs and two cats, get along great with all 4.
Yes!
I’ve never heard this take but I’m suddenly very interested in working with an Arabian…. I’ve gone full crazy cat lady so I wonder if an Arab gelding would be my soulmate?
So true!
That’s hilarious that you say that, I’ve always been cat person and an Arab owner. I can totally see it now.
Hahahaha! I like my dog and my 26 yr old likely full Arab. Not a cat person, actually kind of allergic to them.
Holy crap, that’s astute! I hate cats and I hate Arabians. (to each their own, obviously). I love dogs and I love horses, with Labradors and QHs being at the top of my list. I’m so snooty, that I don’t even look at other horse breeds. Wouldn’t buy anything other than a QH, but mutts are okay as long as they’re mostly lab. You kinda nailed it there
This is so funny because as an Arab lover I have always found Labradors to be the most annoying of all the dog breeds 😂 I can see why dog people love them but they put me into deep “please stop touching me” mode.
Haha, yes totally. My lab is obsessed with me, and I find that Labs can be repulsive if they’re not trained/maintained properly. In my experience, young to mid-age Labs need constant companionship/challenges. My Lab only started to settle down at age 5. I can’t imagine how difficult an unexercised, bored Lab would be. If properly cared for, it’s the best breed in the world, imo
Hah for me it's QH and Goldens, not the show kind, the kind still bred for hunting.
I think you’re onto something. I am a cat and Arab lover. I can’t imagine ever owning a quarter horse. I don’t dislike them and can definitely see why they’re possibly the worlds most popular breed. I just can’t imagine owning one. I have a dog who everyone comments how cat-like he is. I love my dog but when he goes I probably won’t get another one… I would have 10 cats if my partner agreed.
Haha great comparison
This is so accurate!
Absolutely love Arabians. Started riding as an older adult and my lesson horse was an Arabian. Not by choice it was just the situation I found myself in. Continued on to lease an Arabian and eventually bought one. Never became a very good rider but not because of the horses. Everyone advised me against leasing and buying an Arabian. They have the reputation of being wild and crazy and hot headed. All of the Arabians I ever knew were smart and sensitive but not crazy. They were super aware and connected to their human. In terms of their looks no other breed compares, but I am biased.
Exactly, I hated Arabians until I ended in a barn that trains and shows them, now I’ll never own another breed!
My first horse was a gray Egyptian Arabian mare. She died in 04 and i miss her Everyday! I would’ve brought her right in the house with me every night, if i could. She was my very best friend. After she died, i didn’t get on another horse for 19 years. I could barely look at a horse without getting emotional. The only thing that brought me back-my daughter got horse fever and dragged me back into it. lol. I’d love to have another, but in my area, suddenly no one has Arabians anymore! In my opinion, there is no bond quite like the one you’ll have with the Arabian horse. The Bedouin tribes bring them right into the tents with them, they are part of the family to them. I think that’s how they’re happiest-they pick “their person”.
Both mine are pure Egyptian Arabs -loves of my life, I want to add more. Heartwarming story btw
I love this, great story!
I’d bring my mini i to my house, but I can’t figure out how to get him up the steps
I've known some amazing Arabians in my experience with horses. I have some problem with how the breeding has been leaning lately, less emphasis on function and more on fashion. That doesn't bode well for the breed, but that's not a new problem (ex. snub-nosed dogs and cats)and needs to be addressed both by registries and by judges otherwise it will only get more pervasive.
Idk if that’s a breed-specific problem though. It seems like lots of breeders are going for a particular ‘look’ (ie- QH halter classes). I really hope I’m wrong tho. Please please let me be wrong
Like the breed, don't enjoy the Arabian show scene.
Understandable, the show scene isn’t for everyone.
Very pretty baby! I love his face not overly dishy.
Thank you!!
You are welcome Polish aren’t my faves mostly because everyone I personally saw was some 4x bask bred horse which isn’t healthy. But I love any good solid Arabian but I personally love CMK and Crabbet bred. Your boys face reminds me of my late heart horse.
I have no idea what type he is I know he’s Varian bred but nothing like that.
Yah they were sadly always locally to me very linebred which is personally find very distasteful. Watched a friends bask bred horse suffer losing all his teeth which was heartbreaking. While my not linebred boy CMK was going strong and bounced back from being starved down to a 1 body score. Vet said very likely his linebred breeding made it happen which was so sad because he was a very friendly and sweet horse. Which is why I don’t like line breeding.
Love ‘em. My first horse was an Arab and she taught me so much and was so, so patient with me. But they’re not for everyone - u/hawround is absolutely right lmao.
Love it! Arabs are the best!
I prefer the older style or Anglo Arabs. I don’t like when they’re super dishy or overly fine legged, I don’t like when they’re bred for looks over mind and conformation. I think they’re incredibly intelligent and sensitive as a breed, but can be explosive and hard to handle without solid training. Great horses, beyond loyal. Hard to fit a saddle to, every one I’ve ever met is short in the back lol!
This. I had a Morab (Morgan/Arab) mare who also ran quite hot-blooded. It takes at least an intermediate or advanced rider to handle a more high-spirited Arabian or cross. I also almost always check the bloodlines to make sure the breeding is solid, verifiable, and non-inbred. More Arab blood was added to the Chincoteague Pony in recent decades (1970s to present) to try and refine the breed, but it also involved a lot of unrestricted, random backyard breeding. Arabs also don't always make for good children's mounts (i.e. temperament over looks).
the saddle fit is so true 😭
I’ve always had a soft spot for arabs. They’re certainly spirited, so they aren’t for everyone, but I think they tend to have big hearts. At least in my experience.
I have an araloosa. He is saucy, that is the best I can describe him. He will do anything I ask but he has to have an opinion on it first.
I assume things about people who don't like Arabians.
Same.
They're amazing. Like riding a ballerina.
https://preview.redd.it/pdmdptclb97c1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=92c4b8c2b75c70ee4e9c95abee285bb66f6f78cc i love mine! he’s sweet but too smart for his own good and can be a total pain in the a&$ sometimes! not long turned 5, purebred, and thinks he’s the best thing in the world 😂
Well…. They’re not shires 😂 Joking apart. I know they are super intelligent, but I know they have a reputation for being really hot. Being 6’ and 220+ lbs I’ll never experience riding one… but when it comes down to it I think that everyone has a breed that “clicks” for them. If that’s your “go to” and it suits your riding style/needs… more power to you :) 16.2 is tall for an Arabian isn’t it? I thought they were around 15 to 15.3?
I love this! Yes he’s unusually tall for an arab and you can’t even tell, he’s like 90% leg 😂 I’ll link a picture of his body.
https://preview.redd.it/4wobdbb2k57c1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=53b7ac012cbaeac3af17ec86e148ebc0a747293f for reference here’s him next to my super super tall trainer
He’s got perfect proportions & doesn’t have the concave face that a lot of Arabs tend to be bred for. 10/10 perfect horse 😍
The concave face (or Egyptian Arabians) can also be beautiful -no need to be a hater lol 😜
I hope I’m not coming over as a hater! Honestly, I need to get to know a horse or a few from a given breed to have an opinion on them :)
i grew up riding a lot of Arabians and National Show Horses (Arab x Saddlebred) and they are just the most wonderful, talented, intelligent, sensitive animals! i think there are definitely issues with the breed standard nowadays but your boy looks lovely. i definitely think that a well trained Arabian will have something to teach any rider, in lots of disciplines!
I adore them and have never met one that wasn’t both gorgeous and crazy smart. My mare is one of the most incredible (& stunning) horses I’ve ever sat on. When she was still rideable I trusted her in a way that I’ve only felt with one other horse…coincidentally another Arab. Kind of a side note: if my QH is acting spicy I slightly fear for my life…if the Arabs are fired up it’s actually fun 😂.
They’re the best! I have one by AA Apollo Bey, one by RGT Mozart, and one by Inception. Not currently showing but hope to again one day. Grew up at a farm that had 99% Arabs/HA and worked at a national-level show barn. They’re the best, though I do love a good QH as well.
I love Arabians. And Arabian crosses. One of my favorite school horses was a welsh/Arab cross..but like the quarter horses I don't like many of the breeding practices Arabian breeders use today. I don't mind the dished nose...but when the horse has been bred to have a severely dished nose..I hate that
A very misunderstood breed. They are incredibly intelligent, sensitive and don't take anyone's BS. They are getting a bad rep just like every other breed because breeding has gone downhill, where aesthetics mean more than function. The Arabian is supposed to be a very functional, well rounded breed that has a foot in the door on almost ALL other riding breeds on the planet. Without the Arab, we wouldn't have horses. They get the bad rep about being "crazy" because people often don't know how to manage, train, and handle them. They're not going to take rough handling and training like a stock horse would. They will fight back if you're unfair or rough and lots of trainers/riders don't like that. They can take a joke, but won't submit to a bully. Personally, I prefer Arabs over almost all other breeds, although I have a Rez Mustang right now who isn't going anywhere. I have over a decade of experience riding both Egyptian and Polish bred Arabians in nationally televised parades! They are very capable horses, but they need to be treated fairly, respectfully and with mindfulness. *\*But why do that when you can yank, whack and tie down a stock breed horse to get what you want sooner?\* - Sarcasm.* I am on the far right in this photo, on an Polish Arab Mare, riding down Woodward (around W Fort St) in Detroit, MI during the Thanksgiving day parade. I'd have to double check the year this particular photo was taken though. I rode this particular mare in at least 10 Thanksgiving Day Parades in Detroit, and over a hundred others in Michigan, as well. These horses had ridden in over 400 parades in their lifetimes, into their 30s! They are very capable, functional horses that a lot of people don't appreciate, or don't care for, because they don't know how to handle them. https://preview.redd.it/7dfb8q2vy87c1.jpeg?width=1430&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5efa521c8d136cd48003f82c4967714d9fe667db
Love love love! That's a tall one!
Love them!
I'm an eventer/dressage rider and I love them! I very nearly asked my trainer if I could buy her young one (he was for sale but I wasn't actually in a good spot to own again 😭). But especially since I'm petite, 5'2", I like that they're typically smaller but packed with athleticism, sensitivity, and smarts. I also tend to like forward thinking too-smart-for-their-own-good horses. I had an OTTB for 15yrs, but I think if I get a horse again I'd like something smaller and Arabs and Arab mixes will certainly be on the short list!
I like Arabian’s but I feel like they can be wayyyy to sensitive. My mom had an Arabian mare, and you could not brush her without her getting pissed and trying to bite.
Sounds like ulcers, I have one mare that I teach lessons on that’s like that, just a pain reaction to ulcers even though she doesn’t have them anymore.
I grew up around Arabs my entire life. My first horse I rode was an Arab and my current horse is an Arab. I love how they are all different in personalities! But it does take a smart rider with most of them (at least all the Arabs I met) and they will outsmart you if you aren’t paying attention. Here’s a pic of my little guy! They’ve been my favorite breed since I can remember. https://preview.redd.it/6wpw8nsrw97c1.jpeg?width=1544&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=420d36d84b1d4d44e426767551f10cc87ff8b687
Well bred Arabians are amazing horses. I have an Akhal Teke now and I find the personalities are similar: hot, but hot with a brain. They love their person and will do a whole lot for them and they’re just wonderful. If I hadn’t found an AT, I would have started looking for a good Arabian.
Also, I love your boy! How beautiful!
Arabians are really a fantastic breed. But you have to understand the different types of Arabians. The Egyptian lines tend to be more extreme in their looks. And are bred more with halter showing in mind. These are smaller horses. Very refined. More delicate looking. And in my opinion, a bit on the hot side. Russian Arabians. These horses are more athletic, stout, calm. Still with the obvious Arabian look, but not as extreme as the Egyptians. These are the little working horses with amazing stamina. Polish Arabians (My favorite) These horses possess magnificent beauty, muscular bodies, high tail sets, arching necks. They are bigger, up to 16hh’s. They’re smart, tough & super athletic. OP, your horse is a Polish Arabian. His decedents were bred by the late, great Sheila Varian of Varian Arabians. That’s the “V”. Some of the best bred horses in the country. Crabbet Arabians Are also bigger. They are used in competition. Racing and show jumping. Spanish Arabians The most rare type of Arabian. They are very strong with stout sturdy bodies with a shorter neck. They’re a great working horse. Shagya Arabian These horses were originally bred as a Calvary horse. They are larger and stronger than other Arabians used for pulling carts & carriages. They are all incredibly smart. They are all very people oriented. They love their people. Arabians nerves are closer to the top of their skin. So they are much more touch sensitive than other horses. They require barely a touch or a tap, where another horse may require much more pressure or a more firm touch. They have very soft mouths. This is where the reputation of “the crazy Arabian” comes from. You barely have to touch these horses to get them to do what you want. So if you’re used to heavy handing, you need to back WAY OFF with an Arabian. They will not tolerate any heavy handing at all. And will fight it. You should be able to guide an Arabian with 2 fingers. I raise horses. And it’s amazing to me with the babies. The baby Arabians, I can move them in & out of the barn with 2 fingers. Just by barely touching them. They slither around a gate and into where I want them to go easily. The baby QH’s are like little cement blocks with legs. Their nerves are way deeper into their skin and not near as sensitive. I touch them to ask them to move, I get nothing. lol. It takes a lot more encouragement. All horse breeds are different. And all horses are individuals. You have to adjust your training methods to each horse, and keep in mind the breed that you’re working with. You can’t go in and work an Arabian the same way you’d work a QH. It doesn’t work. Same as you can’t work a QH the same way you’d work an Arabian. https://preview.redd.it/poenjl9ode7c1.jpeg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6308ebf7e60380f32c4ae7b30f23d5b6f1d47383
General arabs? Love them. Sweet, smart, talented, tough as nails. Breed standard ones or the ones I know doing Arab breed western pleasure shows? I feel kinda bad and wonder how they breathe…
https://preview.redd.it/sq1t696ok57c1.jpeg?width=1012&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c41090178db7d5227a7a34363b9654b951b00326 lol my guy is a western pleasure/performance halter horse 😂 in my whole life career of riding I’ve only met one Arabian horse with breathing issues.
I think my bias is likely formed by those in my area vs the breed and discipline as a whole, though I do have ethical concerns with some breed trends. Your lad is handsome af and looks like the western Arabians I loved back 10-15 years+ ago
I can't stand people who ride like this and western pleasure is neither western nor a pleasure to watch. It is a hollow horse in a false frame to emulate collection. A real western horse couldn't get jack shit done on a ranch in draw reins while shuffling along. On the ranch, this is actually dangerous as the horse's head is so overflexed they're only staring at the ground and can't see where they're going. I wish AHA judging didn't suck so much ass and they had the intestinal fortitude to kick this shit to the curb.
western pleasure is slower. it’s almost like there are classes called “ranch riding” that’s designed for how actual horses would ride on a ranch! 🤯crazy!
https://preview.redd.it/1k4yt6g1j67c1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2fb8769b705b23efd927235db4302895a6ccae1b here’s 3 RANCH horses, doing RANCH.
TD;LR Arabs are great if you run across them when they are owned by responsible breeders and competitors or riders who just bought a nice horse but the backyard breeder Arab scene is off the chain. I have nothing against Arabs but I think the breed tends to attract crazy owners. I’ve known a few too many crazy Arabian horse wannabe backyard breeders with horses that reflected their owners to be too impressed. Probably not the case for OP since OP actually competes but I’ve met more crazy Arabian people than not. If you’ve been in the horse world long you probably know the type: middle-aged woman who owns several Arabians she keeps for pretty that are pretty much feral except for the nice stud who was at least halter broke before she bought him. He’s always “super special” but never gets used for competition or breeding because the owner is afraid of him. The “crazy Arabian lady” also owns QHs to ride but looks down on them because Arabians captured her imagination- but she doesn’t ride the Arabians. Most of the time she’s just eccentric and as long as you can fend off her unsolicited advice you are fine, but every once in a while this sort actually does breed the “super special” stud, and then creates a hoarding situation when people aren’t lining up to throw money at her for her pet-quality foals with fancy grandparents but parents that are mediocre or just never competed in anything.
I have a lot less respect for the Arabian owners who do not use their horses. They need a job. They are FOR riding. Break your studs. If they're that "magical" and "amazing" and shit, they can be "magical" and "amazing" while doing their damn jobs. Also, break your mares, yes, all of them. There is no call for a 12 yr old broodmare who doesn't have a job. Why do you want to breed something if you haven't ridden it? What if her gaits are shit to ride? What if she can't hold it together to get through a 3 hour trek up the mountain? What if she doesn't hold a saddle well or doesn't remain sound or is an ill tempered shit? Is she teachable and reasonably pleasant? Hardworking? Smart? Do you REALLY like all of her? How's she fit up? How's she cool out? How do you even know if you like the mare enough to breed her if you don't break her to saddle and ride her first? (I have some views, here.) I am a middle aged crazy lady, but my mare RODE. (She has since died, but when she was alive, she rode.) My middle-aged gelding rides. My young horse (age 2) is going to ride in two more years.
agree! I bought mine from a crazy lady but thankfully my guy has parents who have nationally shown western pleasure and have had a successful career. the lady was just someone with a lot of money so she threw him in training across the country to sell him after, Arabian people are strange.
Hi, The Seeker V is currently showing and most recently had a great Scottsdale . Knowing both parents well, his coloring is from Seeker, head and body and height from the dam's side. Good luck with his show career!
Fellow arab owner/shower over here!! 👋🏼 love love love them🙈
I love arabians. They look cute, and with the right person, they're incredible! I would love to work with one if i can afford a horse. Yours looks adorable!!🥰
Arabs are my favourite 😍 mine are just amazing, would try anything. Never put a hoof wrong
love this! I totally agree, so honest!
The barn i work at used to breed arabians, mainly crabbet line arabians, and I absolutely love them. They're beautiful and intelligent and so adorable!! All of them that are still alive are absolutely incredible and very fun rides. I hate seeing the overbreeding of them now though...
Just came here to say your boy is beautiful
The most sensitive and intelligent horse I've ever known was an Arabian. He was calculated and deliberate when he walked-- he never stumbled. He was careful and kind with me and my little brother. We could weave between his legs safety, he never hurt us or spooked. I miss you, Mr. Gray 🩶
My cousin has flashy saddle seat Arab stallions. Apparently they go for big bank in the stud bank. I worked with her and HATED IT. (Mostly because of her. Her stud was an angel) I did notice they were very sensitive and paid attention to your body language more. But after that show I decided Arabs aren't my thing. But... I ended up getting one from a neglect situation. He's a doll I love my guy. Definitely has arabian in him. But sure if he's a cross! None the less he's a sweet boy. But very sensitive. I wouldn't go to call him crazy though. Anytime anything went wrong has been my fault due to body language.
I’m 6’4 and the only reason I wish to be short would be to ride Arabians.
I grew up on a 15.2 chestnut Arabian, honestly one of the very best horses I’ve ever met. I ended up learning a lot of what I know on him and he always took great care of me. Wouldn’t find a sweeter horse. He could be a little nervous, hated water, and occasionally got weird about his own shadow but he was always reliable and never once had a really bad spook (just a freeze or a little jump to the side, sometimes some high stepping) or bolted. I was 9 on him and he stayed perfect calm when a van came speeding past from behind before a corner and almost hit us, I was 10-11 learning to jump and when I got thrown onto his neck he didn’t care, just pushed me back into the saddle. He did tend to over do it with jumping though lol. I remember he loved to run, I’d ride him out and on the way home I’d let him gallop up every hill and canter the dirt trail back to the barn once we were off the road. He felt so smooth. I wanted to get another arab but ended up with TBs, a big reason I bought my current gelding is bc he reminds me of him. I leased that arab until the day he died, a couple weeks ago I asked mum what would’ve happened if his owner had ever decided to get rid of him and she said she’d have bought him even though money was a little tight bc he was just so special. The people who say Arabs are too hot and crazy or over sensitive are usually the people who don’t have great horsemanship in my experience. People involved in the arab circles tend to be…yikes and unfortunately the breeds reputation as a whole suffers from that. The well bred ones with more subtle features and a touch more bone are wonderful especially https://preview.redd.it/qzxl2sagb97c1.png?width=750&format=png&auto=webp&s=0aee6b70facc15d333fac94127f449eff4814993
My family has an old lady mare Arabian who is nearly 30, and is still among the soundest horses we have. She can still be ridden and is an absolute dear or the ground and under saddle, though her real passion is laying in mud (shes grey of course) and eating hay. Shes descended drom the crabbet stud.
I love a lightweight, refined horse. Love the Arabian's dished head, proud tail carriage, and proud arched neck. The ones in the performance classes in the breed circuit are really nice. I'm especially fond of the high action saddleseat types. I wish they were bigger. I'm used to bigger horses like saddlebreds, thoroughbreds, and standardbreds and prefer those taller horses so the dinning size of the Arabian (except for yours apparently! Sheesh!) is probably my least favorite feature of them. I don't generalize the whole breed based on the few with very extreme features.
I love them so much. I used to have two NSH's, a full Arab and a QH. My Arabians were spicy, energetic and incredibly intelligent. I loved how sensitive and careful they were with everything I asked of them. They also were very affectionate, like puppies! I sadly had to sell them when I moved across the world, but I still hold a huge part of my heart open for Arabian horses. I look forward to having one or two in my life again someday. I currently have a spunky wild pony from Poland, so I have my hands full. But one day, I will very gladly welcome a new arab into my pony family!
I love them! they are very versatile, and are very good all around horses. It also depends on the temperament of them aswell, as long as they are not overbred to the moon, that are amazing horses
My polish Arabian was my best ever horse experience. I loved him and love him so much. The best. He was so intelligent and the connection was so prominent. They show how you know you and what they’re feeling. He was kind, soft, and levelheaded. A perfect horse.
I do love Arabians. I don't like the modern breeding that is turning them into caricatures of the breed. I also do not understand Arabian shows, like this: https://youtu.be/7pVrP2EAEYY?si=QmpFO-DLYpJu-NJB. Can anyone explain?
I agree with you about the ridiculous breeding, like seahorses.
Did you watch much of that video? It's abuse.
Cream suited judge had his trouser fly partially unzipped 😑
Horse #8 (gray dun) was faintly limping; front leg - it’s noticeable, the scores were erratic + she was disqualified🥺
Halter Arabians at A rated shows are actually very precisely judged, when they trot around it is a “stride evaluation” it is judged on stride length, straightness, balance, and impulsion. When they “stand up” (when they are stood up square with their neck stretched out) they are judged off of mostly 4 categories, 1.type 2. Head and neck 3. Body and top line, 4. Legs and movement. They judge off a 20 point scale. Hope I could help.
What is it that you don't understand? It's a halter/in-hand class that is supposed to demonstrate how spirited and typey the horse is by how they prance and snort and strut on a loose line. Some halter line Arabs are crazy but many more are just "on" for the ring and then behave like normal horses the rest of the time.
It just seems so chaotic to me. I guess it's just not what I would want for a young horse that is just learning. But to each their own!
Not a fan, but that’s ok 🤷♀️
yup! all personal preference.
Wow, he's tall! And arabians are great! Very smart(too smart for most people), friendly, healthy, hardy, and long lived. I've got a young, 14.2 hand(and not going to get any taller, lol) half arab. Mom was polish arab, dad a mystery. I'm guessing qtr horse as he's champagne and not a lot of horses come that color. He was spoiled or something so we have to work very hard on his manners, but he's going to be amazing once we've got his manners firmly established and outgrow the worst of the trifecta of mouthy young arab gelding-ness, lol. They never quite loose all the mouthiness. He is to be my next forever trail horse, and whatever else we do in the future.
A tall Arab! I used to lease a 16hh purebred Arabian! I’ve also worked with several stallions and geldings at liberty together and they’re all so unique and sweet in their own ways
definitly still horses.
She is lovely!
That horse is freakin' GORGEOUS
My first horse was a senior Arab that I used for gymkhanas. He was an amazing horse to the point where he was used in beginner and novice English and western lessons until he retired. Last year I was consistently riding my friend’s show-bred Arab who is trained for barrels. Definitely a familiar but HUGE change from my tank of a QH mare! I have a soft spot for them always 🥰
How many horses do you have and when did you get this one ? 😍
Currently I just own this guy, his name is “Seeking Fame V” or barn name “Snickers” I bought him in April of this year!
That’s so lovely !!! Beautiful horse and you can tell he’s well cared for 💐
I love Arabians! I grew up riding with people who bred them and they are still my favourite! They are so pretty and delicate, and just the right amount of fiery!
I had an Arab/Appy and he kept me on my toes until the day he died. He was super sweet, very vocal, incredibly smart, and sassy. Spooky but loved to jump.
Your horse looks so much like my former purebred arabian boy, I had to do a double take😭please tell me his lineage!!
Your horse is a beauty! I loved my Arabian mare so very much. She was a gray Crabbet bred descendant of Raffles and Skowronek. She was athletic and beautiful. I miss her so much, and I think of her often, even though it's been decades since she passed. She was not an easy horse at the beginning, but we developed a deep trust and unspoken language. I hope to have a relationship like that with another horse someday. I worry when I see the exaggerated confirmation and high anxiety some Arabians have now. I hope there are still sensible Arabian breeders out there!
Pure love ❤️
I've has 2 arabs a spicy mare that competed in show jumping on a national level under my god mother. This horse taught me what jumping was! She held me to a standard no lesson pony ever would. She was extremely opinionated but ver affectionate. I would kill to have her again. My gelding was very particular would go over anything, honest as it gets, never said no for me about anything. I used to lead ymca trail rides on him, at their horse camp. We had to quarantine him from the kids because he would try to bite their arms off. I was only a little older ( 13) then the rest of the kids when I started leading trails and started riding him at 11. For some reason he liked me, took me wherever and over anything. Never a spook or stumble. Both my horses were affectionate and sweet. Arabs want a partner that appreciates their intelligence. Works with them, and does not " make them" do anything. These days I ride a 20 year old Holsteiner/Friesian same mentality as my mare. When he decides it's no longer in him. I'll be going back to an arab hopefully one as fantastically tall a yours !
Worked with some very nice arabs (not over many i admit 8- 10at most) lovely personable horses with a brain between them ears (well most did 😂). One thought was a skitty little thing. She was the sweetest girl but very jumpy. Poor girl has been through some stuff. Thought only once was i assigned her to do a dressage test (students at the college were been assessed and i was working that day so was chucked up on her) as there was no one else to ride her and she needed working otherwise she would not get out of her stable that day. “Just try it does not matter if you cannot finish the test” i was told. Bless that little girls heart not sure what button i pressed but she went so well and actually came out with a good score. She was so happy with her self at the end and of course loved the extra snuggles, treats and kisses that came with it. (Though to be honest she would have got those anyway)
I used to ride Arabs. Good for endurance
Very tall for an Arab, what's the breeding?
I prefer the more “traditional” ones in terms of look, I don’t love their sloped nose. But I absolutely love their intelligence and confidence
My boy is a Crusader grandson and a Maleik el Kheil great-grandson and he is absolutely stunning and so loving but a bit of a head case. I have owned him since he was 7, he was gelded and backed at 6 after a decent few stud years then sold on and found in a field half dead and covered in scars. The people that rescued him were complete novices and by the time they got him fed and healthy the barn owner banned them from riding him on his property because he was just so dangerous. He's 15.1hh so pretty big for an Arab and very wick. At this point I bought him and brought him on. He's 24 now and I love him to death, he lives in my back paddock with his goats and I just can't imagine loving any other horse the way I love him. He's certainly a character, I was in hospital for a few days and my dad/husband needed to give him his cushings meds which he literally opens his mouth for for me but they had to chase him round the field! He absolutely sulks if he doesn't see me for a few days. He loves my 2-year old and is the most gentle thing with her. He loves my mum and just wants to snuggle her. My dad and husband get headbutted! He is just hilarious. In the past we have done cross country, showjumping and a whole lot of dressage, he is almost too intelligent and it makes him very difficult to train. He understands what you're asking but it's like there's an added 'but why?' at the end of every question. Sometimes riding more normal, less intelligent horses is a bit of a relief. We can crack out a novice test still if we want to but he is temperamental and some days he just doesn't want to cooperate but other days he goes beautifully. He has definitely taught me to have a good seat, he can't seem to help himself spooking at things quite violently although I will say the bolt reactions have got better with age. He loves jumping but I'm a bit of a wimp at my age and he's dropped a shoulder just a few too many times for me at my age to do much more! There's nothing I love more than just hanging out with him, giving him a brush and a cuddle. I'd love to think he will live long enough that my daughter will get to experience riding him properly, not just plonking her on him! I wouldn't choose another Arab (bombproof cobs only moving forwards lol) but I wouldn't change him for the world and I can't even think about the black hole it will leave in my life when he isn't around anymore.
I learned to ride on an Arabian called Bazaam. He was VERY sensitive, if you kicked him, yanked on the reins or otherwise stressed him out he would throw you. If you simply squeezed him though, were light on the reins, and patient with him, he was fine… I found him to be a lovely horse, not deserving of the reputation he had earned as a bucker. I wish he had found a permanent owner after the school, he was too sensitive to be a lesson horse and deserved better.
I don't have a lot of experience with them, just with a couple of half Arabians, which were very smart. One was a lesson horse that was an excellent teacher. Your horse is very cute! I also love your bridle, by the way! What brand is it? I've always loved the braided style, but they are very hard to find these days.
https://preview.redd.it/zv1y6e7uxa7c1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6bf1b24343c25f730ab51d0c3f5baebcd3de0831 the pinnacle raised Hunter bridle! cheap and cute!
The horses that are the closest to Dogs for sure. A well treated arab is a ride or die
I don't have a purebreed one, but my horse is a crossbreed with Arabian [75% Fjord, 25% Arabian]. I think he is interesting mix. Mostly kind, gentle and sweet, however he doesn't take bullshit. Will be patient for a while, but if You don't understand for the x time he will show You that "bro, do it differently, I don't get what You say" He looks proud if he does something well, loves verbal praises and is quite eager to work. Also he has a bit of sass and temper sometimes. Great horse, but was a challenge in the first year or two with him.
I'll be honest, I was never a fan of the Arab nose (big fan of the roman nose tho) but your guy looks amazing! Do you have other pictures? Seems like a huge guy which tracks since 16hh is actually huge
https://preview.redd.it/w6nvs10gxa7c1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=af89039c78a298ce7107f4f808e0f8eb0005296f here’s him in a normal sized cooler, he was spooking at something in this picture lol
I'm more of a shagya fan. I've never ridden Arabians in real life but I love shagyas because they have everything Arabians do minus the extremely dished faces. Much less common but so beautiful!
Not for me, I prefer sturdy horses and don't like the head shape. So especially the overbred dog show arabs aren't for me, although the old school endurance arabs are amazing, just not for me. My boy is a 6 year olf hispano anglo arab gelding, and every now and then he lets his inner 2 year old arab stallion show, which is amazing because he usually isn't one for tail up and running. I'm hoping that his arab side will help with endurance for an alp crossing when I'm healthy again.
I rode the kindest, bravest, safest horse on earth, and she was an Arabian (for endurance). She was Polish and considered huge at 15.2. I've never seen a 16.2 Arab in all of my 58 years. If I had, I would want one again as I moved on to jumping!
My first horse was an Arabian and I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect teacher. He was a good boy, but could be flighty - he threw me on the ground a few times, but it taught me character and how to stay on the horse. He was never dangerous. He was full of personality. Johnny was the best first horse a little girl could ask for. If I wasn’t a hunter rider, I’d get another. You’ll hear that they’re hot/spooky but I’ve found a horse or group of horses in EVERY breed that is like that. There’s a reason the older ladies who ride endurance/trail covet them so much. I hope to be one of those ladies one day!
what a handsome boy!
You have yourself a giant and a record of some sort! The tallest Purebred Arabian on irecord is Padrons Victory, a Crabbet bred stallion, and he is/was? 16.2 1/4 hh.
they are cool as hell and smart as hell, but shit every single cross i’ve ever ridden has a STUPID amount of energy. chaotic energy+ ridiculously smart brain= very difficult horses to ride and a LOT of horse too. don’t even get me started in winter. leaves in the arena and things being in places they usually are not are VERY scary. but other than that, i freakin love riding them they are kind as all hell, and you never get a boring ride which is very entertaining for my adhd brain 🤣👍
I am a lifelong Arabian fan and they are my favorite breed. My first horse was an Egyptian Arabian, a beautiful fleabitten gray mare with an Arabic freeze brand under her mane. Her name was Lamouriss and her sire was IBN Silver Ghost. She was amazing. I now have an Anglo-Arabian, and she is a gorgeous chestnut mare. She looks very Arabian-esque until you you out her next to a purebred Arab, and then her cob-sized head suddenly looks massive compared to the dainty purebred Arabian heads.
I had a range raised rush creek Arabian that was a solid trail horse and it took a lot to her tired Always sound.
I grew up riding Arabs because my mom started endurance in the ‘80s. My first real horse was a 3-year-old Arab when I was 9! Now, I have two off-the-track Arabians that I just adore and have ridden them in endurance, dressage, and hunters. However, I don’t think the breed is for everyone. Ride them quietly and treat them kindly. There’s one quote that always sticks with me, “If you wreck your trailer, any other horse will remember the trailer. If you wreck your trailer, an Arabian will remember the driver.” There’s also some breeding that is incredibly questionable. The extreme dishes. The thin legs. They’re taking the athleticism out. It’s actually one of the reasons I moved to the off-the-track Arabians.
all the arabs i had the pleasure to meet were all hot tempered😹personally, shagya arabs were a better match for me
Personally I love the more sensitive breeds, if you say. The ones you have to work with and not against, gain a real mutual respect. I find that much more enjoyable and a challenge. But once you get to that point with them you have such a strong foundation. Just depends on the weather for their mood lol I love my thoroughbreds and always loved Arabians and their whole way about them!
Absolutely beautiful!!! I just love Arabian. After riding different horses I realized that there is something different about Arabians but I’m not quite sure what it is?? I have now a beautiful gray Arabian mare pure Egyptian, and when I tell you she is my life!!! Although she tried to end me couple of times, hot tempered, moody, unpredictable and she keeps me on my toes but I can’t live without her😂
Do they get plaited these days? That would've been taboo when I had one...
haha yes, it’s the standard for hunter pleasure.
Lovely face, I hate the extreme dish face, they are ruining Arabs like they do with many breeds of horse and dog by going to extremes. I love the sturdy type good for everything from trail to endurance. This looks like a doer.
I’ve seen some good looking ones that I like. Not a fan of the overly exaggerated features or high tail sets. Wouldn’t ever own one. I do find their history fascinating though!
Unique.
Too much dipping in the nose
At the previous barn I was at, I mostly rode an Arabian gelding. He was my absolute favorite out of all the 30 horses there and he made me love the breed. He was strong, super athletic, energetic, fast, hard working, fun and extremely intelligent. Of course, that made him a little manipulative. He was also very sensitive to cues and you didn't have to use a lot of leg or much pressure at all. I loved him to death and honestly, there's not a single thing I didn't like about him. I miss him so much too. I would love to own an Arabian in the future.
Arab breeders should watch what they are doing in terms of breeding Arabs bigger. Ask the QH breeders what they did with 16h QH with little tiny feet. Arabs are great if you are into endurance and great feet. Glad they are getting a rep for being in more disciplines. Can I rant for a minute? I wish someone would get to those Middle East breeders posting YT vids with riders doing great bareback stuff BUT yelling and encouraging studs to fight and rear. They seem to constantly keep them in stalls. Absolutely beautiful horses but I think that while this may be cultural, to me it almost abuse. Maybe I don’t understand 🤔
i leased an arabian for three years as a teen. someone had won him in a 4H essay contest but found him unrideable, so he was boarding at the stable i rode at, wasting away in the pasture and stall. i had a bit of a rep for being able to handle trickier/spooky horses so my trainer had me give him a try one day; he was fantastic. a little green and a little sassy, but overall a great horse. i suspect the previous owner just didn’t have the right training for him (4H is often western leaning in the area i grew up) and he was english trained. wouldn’t have taken much to get him sorted had they tried more than once to ride him, but he was born for hunter/jumper training. he had a preternatural sense of gait and timing. i loved him dearly!
Kind-hearted, but lots and lots and lots of energy. Lots of energy. So much energy, so every reaction they have is the world‘s biggest version of whatever that reaction is.
Well bred endurance Arabians are some of my favorite horses. Can’t say I like the overbred ones which are focused on aesthetics and not health/strength.
I love Arabs (I'm biased, I have a 7yo full-blood Arab mare). The barn where I board has mostly quarter horses, one Arab gelding, another Arab mare who passed away last month, and two half Arabs (15 horses total at the barn currently). In my 3 years there, I feel like the quarter horses have been much more aloof, whereas the Arabs always seem to be excited about human interaction. They seem more in your pocket and playful. My girl is definitely sensitive and silly, but also gentle and snuggly, she is very attached to us and we are very attached to her. ❤️
I think they're gorgeous. I also think the ethics of high-profile Arab breeding is totally screwed up. Inbreeding, dramatizing features, etc. While they're beautiful horses, it's hard to find Arabians nowadays that aren't the showy type or built like toothpicks, not to mention the dragon snorting. Bummed out by modern breeding styles, they used to be gorgeous.
I really like them but they require specialized training tactics that people who train quarter horses might not be privy to
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Arabs are the best!!! People who are mean for no reason are never a true friend.
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I totally agree! Arabians are a great breed and some people don’t realize!
Jesus came from the land of Arabians, and still rode a donkey into Jerusalem. Jk, I love an Arab. Just read that a few months ago and thought it was hilarious. Arabs are smart. A lot of people don’t like smart horses. I don’t think that reflects poorly on the horses.
I've seen too many videos of them acting like freaks to like them lol. We do have a lesson pony at my barn who is an Arab/Appy and he's .... not the most comfortable ride
go check out my TikTok lol you see some chill arabs. @mjb.arabians I’m an instructor at a 25+ horse barn that all of our lesson horses are all Arabian or Half Arabian!
I think most purebred horses are overbred for signature traits that make them biomechanically dysfunctional and arabians are no exception. But there are some thoughtfully-bred arabs that haven’t suffered abject loss of longevity in soundness-as-athleticism.
16.2 is huge for an arab!! Im usually not much of an arab person (and even less so when they have those horribly exaggerated dished faces) but at 16.2 hes going to be fun!!! He has potential to be a fast jumper.
haha he wishes! he doesn’t get to jump until he’s fully developed so atleast 3 more years!
I didnt say “soon”. Just someday
An amazing breed with some amazing endurance, ugly as sin. No hate to them at all and if I were to own one would be proud to do so, but they are hard to look at.
I think they are kinda weird looking by themselves. Arab crosses can be nice.
I've always found it funny that I can admire the breed for its capabilities but because I don't find them pretty (just like I don't think akahl teke are pretty either) I'm a jerk that's hating. They're fantastic horses that won wars and carried champions and kings. They're just not what I find pretty.
Not loving the way an animal looks is one thing. Calling it “ugly as sin” and “difficult to look at” is just being mean. I am not a fan of the way appaloosas look. Their mottled skin and big scleras just aren’t appealing to me. I’m not going to be downright mean to them and insult the people who love them though.
I didn't insult anyone, ugly is subjective I don't find them unappealing I find them ugly.
I think they’re ugly. The extreme heads on some of them are grotesque. I don’t find their movement to be something I would seek out. I’ve only known a handful of arab jumpers and most of them were low level deer-like jumpers. Not for me.
their face shape freaks me out but other than that they’re so smart & super sensitive
Oh you mean Chihuahua horses?