Most of you arabian horse lovers are probably aware of these things, but I am just wondering about the truth behind these claims.
#1 People are saying that arabians have breathing problems due to their head shapes. Of course most people know that the head shape of an arabian is bred to AID in breathing, although I suppose it could be possible that when bred to an extreme there could be issues. People also say things like they are too delicate, which is untrue (although their bones are smaller, they are also much more dense). But I have never seen or heard of a case where arabs have had issues due to their build, which makes me suspicious that these statements are just rumors starting by people who dislike the appearance and want to disguise their opinions as fact. I could be wrong.
#2 Then there is this thing people are saying about how "real" arabians do not look like this, that in the beginning they were much "healthier" and "normal" looking. I suppose I could agree (with not much research) that most of the older photos of the breed have not looked quite the same, but is that not always true for every breed? Every book I have read states that the arabian breed in particular is more similar to its ancestors than almost every other breed.
#3 "Arabian horses are abused in the show ring, especially the halter-bred arabs." This one I disagree with a great deal. Most of what these people talk about includes shaving, waxing, and greasing of the facial areas, and apparently plucking of the eyelashes which I have never heard of. Another thing that I have never seen is the eye tattooing. Equipment-wise, people have said the shanks, etc are abusive. I do not doubt that these things exist, and I would also say that the waxing, eyelash plucking, and tattooing sounds fairly abusive, although having never seen it firsthand I would not know. As for shanks, they can of course, like any other piece of equipment, be used wrongfully. However, not only is the abuse recognized by judges in the showring and punished by the AHA, but is rare. You can find abuse for EVERY breed.
Please do not reply to this thread if you do not have anything to say that is not based on experience or fact, or basically try to be mature and not hateful. If you want to share something you have heard or that someone told you go ahead, just like I said be mature not hateful. This is meant to be more of a scientific evidence conversation than a moral one, although morals obviously do have a place here.
#1 People are saying that arabians have breathing problems due to their head shapes. Of course most people know that the head shape of an arabian is bred to AID in breathing, although I suppose it could be possible that when bred to an extreme there could be issues. People also say things like they are too delicate, which is untrue (although their bones are smaller, they are also much more dense). But I have never seen or heard of a case where arabs have had issues due to their build, which makes me suspicious that these statements are just rumors starting by people who dislike the appearance and want to disguise their opinions as fact. I could be wrong.
#2 Then there is this thing people are saying about how "real" arabians do not look like this, that in the beginning they were much "healthier" and "normal" looking. I suppose I could agree (with not much research) that most of the older photos of the breed have not looked quite the same, but is that not always true for every breed? Every book I have read states that the arabian breed in particular is more similar to its ancestors than almost every other breed.
#3 "Arabian horses are abused in the show ring, especially the halter-bred arabs." This one I disagree with a great deal. Most of what these people talk about includes shaving, waxing, and greasing of the facial areas, and apparently plucking of the eyelashes which I have never heard of. Another thing that I have never seen is the eye tattooing. Equipment-wise, people have said the shanks, etc are abusive. I do not doubt that these things exist, and I would also say that the waxing, eyelash plucking, and tattooing sounds fairly abusive, although having never seen it firsthand I would not know. As for shanks, they can of course, like any other piece of equipment, be used wrongfully. However, not only is the abuse recognized by judges in the showring and punished by the AHA, but is rare. You can find abuse for EVERY breed.
Please do not reply to this thread if you do not have anything to say that is not based on experience or fact, or basically try to be mature and not hateful. If you want to share something you have heard or that someone told you go ahead, just like I said be mature not hateful. This is meant to be more of a scientific evidence conversation than a moral one, although morals obviously do have a place here.