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Arabian types

8K views 37 replies 20 participants last post by  goneriding 
#1 ·
Hi guys,

I'm curious on the origins, differences, etc of different types of Arabians(Polish, Russian, Egyptian, any others there are) what distinguishes one type from another? What physical characteristics and what are the general temperament differences? Are certain better for different disciplines? And, just for fun, do you have a favorite type and why?

If there have already been threads on this topic can someone just point me in their direction? Any websites with good information would also be welcome.

Thank you all in advance!
 
#4 · (Edited)
That was supposed to be CMK. I like the ones that are built for endurance. They share a lot of similarities with barbs, but phenotypically I'm not a huge arabian fan. I can appreciate a nice old type, but I keep an eye out for my one friend who loves arabians, not for myself. Sort of like this:



I also love their horses:

http://fairviewarabianstud.com/

Especially the crazy colors
 
#5 ·
I clicked the link and went to the first stallion, Aur Golden Topaz. He is gorgeous and his color is amazing. I just don't understand why on earth they would pose that magnificent guy without even combing the tangles out of his mane.:?: Wish I had the time to browse through the rest. I hope they are better groomed.
 
#6 ·
Not sure about definitive differences, but I love Egyptian Arabians. I have one, she's pretty hardy and has good endurance. She's mid-twenties and still loves to go out on the trails - she'd gallop the whole time if I'd let her. Also, I find them to generally be daintier. Regardless of what type Arabian, they have those gorgeous floaty trots...favorite breed by far. :)
 
#7 ·
I think I've read somewhere that Polish and Russian bred horses are more stocky, larger, bigger in cheSt, barrel, etc. And don't have the Super dish face like some others. Typically speaking, I'm sure there are exceptions. I've read that Egyptians are finer boned and have smaller frames. I'm not sure about crabbet or Spanish types. I had a mare growing up who was mainly polish bred and she was awesome. She could go for miles and barely break a sweat and she was on the wide-ish side so she was fairly comfortable to ride. My sister's arab is a mix of polish and Egyptian, but she's so narrow, it's like riding a ridge pole!
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#22 ·
I will have to see if I can find any good videos of some Arabians, and their movement.

In general, the Arabians of yesterday (like the 1970's for example) had a more natural way of moving, sadly, today, way too many Arabians are trained to move like Saddlebreds. I saw the Arabian stallion *Aramus back in the early 1970s, he was a National Champion in halter and performance, now that horse could really move, and really move well, he literally floated, he was very balanced (none of that dragging along of the hind legs seen too often now due to the training methods used). *Aramus was Polish. Also, the Egyptian stallion *Sakr, was known to be quite amazing, he was a Park horse like *Aramus was, I have read that *Sakr was shown barefoot.

For present day Arabians, the Polish stallion Monogramm really blows the other horses away, he's amazing and passes it on, natural big trot. I know there maybe some videos of him out there, I'll find them if I can.
 
#9 ·
You got the Egyptian, Anglos, Polish, etc. Egyptians have the real dished faces, bug eyes, and dainty build. They are bred for endurance and are generally very spirited. The build of the Anglos and Polish are more filled out compared to the Egyptians. Anglos have a more straight face. They have a lot of pep in their step, but are not as spirited as the Egyptians, but still have a lot of endurance. Polish Arabs' faces begin to dip in then immediately straighten back out. Their temperament, in my experience, is similar to a Quarter Horse's. All Arabians have one less vertebrae and one less rib on each side.

Arabs are very social and in tuned with their surroundings. They seem to have that one person they bond themselves with and really feed off of. They have a heart of gold, are big people pleasers, and eager to learn. I never met a breed more dedicated and hardworking than them.

This is my personal experience. That is not to say that most of what is written above is not subject to debate.
 
#11 ·
Not all Egyptians are of the same type. A lot of the more modern ones are very dishy with thin legs and bodies. The older types (closer to the desert bred) are much stockier and have a fairly straight profile with a fine muzzle. I have a Refky granddaughter who fits this last type.
 
#16 ·
I've got a big weak spot for Polish Arabians, always have. I'm determined to own one in my lifetime, although the island I live on is mostly big draft horses used to haul wood so I'll likely be importing one from somewhere else. Someday. :)
 
#18 ·
If my mother didn't buy me an Arab at age 9, I'd have the same jaded view as most about the breed. I would frown upon them without really knowing the breed. It boils my blood the ignorant remarks I hear "horse people" make. My Polish Arab made a wonderful police horse, but the breed's reputation and the ignorance of the group subsequently dismissed her of her duties. Two mishaps that were no fault of her own would have only been overlooked if she were another breed.

Sorry about my rant.
 
#20 ·
People demean what they cannot control. Arabians react quickly and people new to horses are afraid of this. I remember "Corporal" seeing me at the water tank (when I used to rent turnout/shelter,) started walking towards me and cow kicked my OTTB, who, at the time was giving me problems. He was like that, ALWAYS looking out for me. Best horse, EVER!!! (Don't tell me mare bc she'd weep!) =D
Btw, I do apologize for not posting pictures of Corporal and my other, now passed on herd. I need to make time to download them from DH's computer, so one of these days I'll make a thread. He IS on my opening page on this laptop, which will probably be picture #1.
 
#24 ·
#25 ·
AH! Thank you those videos were PERFECT! Gorgeous movers. I see some similarities and differences and I love it. I'm interested in how they (arabs and spanish horses) compare in movement style because they are put together different. (found this paragraph to describe what I mean my mind is fuzzy as I have a migraine):

"Even more important are differences in the hindquarters. The Arabian is famous for its “flagging” tail, created by the unique construction of the pelvic and sacral bones which orients them more horizontally than in most other breeds, and which places the root of the tail comparatively high. The Barb by contrast retains from its Iberian ancestors the rounded haunches, sloping croup, and low tail-set of a horse built not as the Arabian is to race over flat ground, but to coil and spring. The hindquarters of the Barb are those of a horse that can easily perform the war maneuvers most valued in hand-to-hand combat. The Arabs excelled at raiding and their horses are bred for this style of warfare: quickly swooping down upon the enemy, shooting with bow and arrow or (later) the rifle, or throwing the light lance and then racing away in retreat. North African warriors preferred instead to close with the enemy, flashing scimitars whose curving blades were designed to slash the enemy without hurting the horse. They needed a mount that could cavort and wheel, and both the Barb and the horse of Iberia are built precisely for this."

I would love to do a expo or something with the two breeds they are so similar and different it is fascinating.
 
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