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What is owning an arabian like?

30K views 69 replies 43 participants last post by  blue eyed pony 
#1 ·
I have always wanted an arabian I have riden a few and just think they are the most beautiful horses there are. I noticed people really don't like them seems like everytime I say how much I would like one people have nasty things to say. Why!? I have a TB cross and they can't be challenging too. Tell me why you guys that are into arabians are in love with them?
 
#2 ·
i grew up on an arabian/half arabian breeding farm & for a long time as a kid i didn't know any other type of horse existed. i am fascinated by other breeds but i don't think i can bring myself to buy any other breed.

they are smart, interested in people, playful, downright silly. in my experience the geldings just as much as the mares. they have the endurance to do anything you ask and they will work themselves into the ground for you.

i think people don't like them because they tend to be flighty, spooky, and snorting all the damn time. personally for a trail horse i find that useful. i like that they are aware of their surroundings and interested, and if you work with them properly they will trust your leadership and spooking wont be a problem.
 
#3 ·
Just remember that most hot-bloods - aka TBs, Arabs, Saddlebreds, etc - tend to have a different mindset than your stock horses. Of course, everything is on a case by case basis for the most part, but they do think differently. Mine, for example, is darn near too smart for his own good, curious almost to a fault, and assumes that a cute expression will get him whatever he wants. He's very intelligent, he's energetic, and he lives to please. Show him something once and he may be confused, but give him a little time and the next time he'll likely know exactly what you want from him. Being energetic, I've been told he's crazy and unsafe. Did I mention that he'll lunge in an arena around me with or without a line, even with other horses in there? He's very curious and expressive. It's almost like he wears his thoughts and his emotions in HD (high definition) compared to the more laid back counterparts. He can be a little sensitive - meaning he almost takes it personally if he gets admonished. Personally, I've found Arabians far easier to train from ground to saddle than almost any stock-type. Of course, there are exceptions, but it's my personal experience of working many types of breeds over 16 years.

As far as people not liking them, they are a very misunderstood breed - there's no doubt about that. They're smart. I mean very smart. They test boundaries constantly. They know exactly what they can get away with and what they can't. They are more than happy to see what new people will let them do without realizing it. They do tend to have a lot more energy, which can make a lot of people very uncomfortable. Unfortunately, you'll always have the stereotypical Arabs that give the breed their bad rep, but that's most often a product of their handling (and occasionally of their breeding).

One of my favorite responses to someone's "Crazy Ay-rab" remark when they find out that's what I have is, "He's not crazy - he's smart. I prefer a horse that knows how to think."

As a coming 4 year old, he acts just like a 15/16 kid. As a fresh 3 year old, he acted just like a 12 year old kid. You have to put it in perspective, if that makes sense.

ETA: I agree with the silly and playful remark. I hear stories often about my gelding's antics and everyone gets a kick out of them. He is goofy and playful to the max, lol.
 
#4 ·
I owned one, well my daughter did but I took care of him, rode him, trained him, etc. he's gone now. He spoiled me for other horses, when my horse is no longer with me or rideable (paints, I had them when the Arab still was alive, in fact he weaned my horse), I will be purchasing an Arab. I want to recapture that magic.
 
#5 · (Edited)
My first pony was a little welsh/Arab cross, I got him when he was four and was told he had never been ridden (just found out from an old cowboy that that wasn't true, he just dumped EVERYONE who got on him and was headed to the glue factory until I got him, glad I didn't know that 24 years ago, I might have been scared of him!) My ten year old self trained him that spring, and only had one real issue (getting him used to the sound of a whip so he wouldn't bolt if someone near me used one). That pony would go anywhere and do anything for me. We would load him into the back of the pickup truck to haul him to 4-h shows, I rode him down the roads, swam in the Puget Sound with him, you name it, we did it. I even taught him to lay down and let me dismount so he could roll in the sand on the beach, and then wait for me to get back on before he stood up again.

I currently own two Arabs, one was a sherrif's mount and a certified search and rescue horse. The other was a racehorse, I just took him through 20 hours of mounted police training and although he looked a lot more nervous than the other horses at the start of the training, he did phenomenally well. He is a very nervous, energetic horse, but if he feels he can depend on you he will literally do anything you ask. Sometimes I think he wishes he could climb on my back and hide from the scary things. I find the key with both of them is to be very firm, very calm, and flat out INSIST on whatever it is I am asking. They don't object nearly as hard as my Morgan mare (my true love), and they learn SO FAST!!

The downside of learning as quickly as they do is that if you are a nervous rider, you teach the horse to be scared, and riding a truly scared Arab is like riding a hurricane. You have to be their 'safe place'. If you are their safe place, it really doesn't matter how much they snort or look sideways, because they're just trying to say "hey, look mom! its a horse-eating cement berm! What should I do????" When you say, well of course you should walk right by it because everything I ask you to do is safe, they just walk right by, with a little more snorting. The one arab of mine, when he's nervous and I"m on the ground, will nudge me with his nose to try to turn me in the direction of what he's nervous about. It's pretty sweet really.... If I turn and look, and give him a pat, he gets quiet again and ignores it.

If snorting and blowing makes you nervous, an Arab may not be a good choice for you, but if you can stay calm and relaxed, by all means, go for it!

Just my 50 cents!
Kathy
 
#6 ·
It's never boring! My boy is amusing, clever and I love him to pieces!
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#8 ·
I was once told that the difference between training a stock horse vs training an Arab goes something like this...

Stock horse - turn left when I do this or I will have to follow it up with a 2x4

Arab - look, there is something really kewl over there and we should go find out what it is!


Every time in my life I have gone for a breed other than Arab, I have regretted it. Arabs are dorks, they want to exlpore, they want to RUN. I have owned several who simply couldn't walk. One filly I had simply didn't have a speed slower than a jig. Out on trail with other horses, we woudl do our light trot as everyone else walked.

I love the personality of the Arab. I love to watch them play, and I love to be on thier backs while they play.

Where they get a bad rep is that many people expect a dead head stock horse. Arabs can be very opinionated and unless you prove to them that you are the top horse, they will walk all over you. With the current trends in horseman to never say "no" to a horse, an Arab turns into an unruly monster who is bored and will get distructive.

As a breed, they also can be light in the front end. At least they will tend to toss thier head when they are happy. At worse they will toss the whole front end when they are happy - yes, I mean rearing.

They are good to go for 6 to 8 hours of hard riding, and ready to go again the next day - especially if there is running involved.

I love them.
 
#9 ·
My Egyptian Arab is clever, smart, and witty. He's silly and knows when I really mean something and when I'm slipping up. He's reluctantly brave (he may not like where I'm pointing him, but he'll go), can run for hours and hours and is very athletic. His energy is boundless (he can maintain a canter while other horses/people walk). He's very sweet and willing to work with me, even if he's hurting. He learns tricks pretty fast (I can wave my right or left hand and he will pick up the corresponding front leg) and is very food motivated! He is opinionated and his temper tantrums are silly. He is always willing to try for me, even when he doesn't know what I want.

I don't like saying things like "always" or "never", but I don't know that I'll ever own another breed.
 
#10 ·
So I thought about this last night and I wanted to add a few things. Last summer I got bullied into taking a very nicely bred 2 1/2 year old filly, polish and Egyption lines. She should have started her career as a show horse as a weanling in halter, but somehow got missed.

In fact, she didn't get touched by human hands until two weeks before I got sent home with her. To say she was a wild chid is an understatment. Firefly reminds me a LOT of a filly I had when I was my daughter's name, so I tell her if she ever doesn't want her, I do.

Anyway. As Firefly started to get tame, she started to think that she was much smarter than these pesky humans. She gained a stubbon streak that twice included hooves flying. We went through three weeks of dominance and respect which culiminated as a full join up with my daughter (we do Monty Roberts join ups).

That was that. Dominace and respect issues over. The stable owner, who puts her in and out of her stall every day (and who is a stock horse person) has commented that it was like a light switch was turned on and suddently Firefly is a joy to work with, very respectful.

Now, not all Arabs are this extreme, the respect issue is usually handled as a weanlling; however, if it isn't, and it doesn't get handled, most weekend hores owners don't know how to get past it and the horse becomes a terror. This is where Arabs get that BAD reputation. Well, that and some people can't stand the jiggy - but not all Arabs jig. My gelding walks nicely, but my daughter's filly is going to jig.

If you don't have the skills to push an Arab past that respect issues stage, get an older horse who is respectful. You will find a best friend who loves going out with you probably more than you will know.
 
#11 ·
I love arabians, I was drawn to them for their beauty, stayed for their trainable minds and fell in love with their souls.

Athletic, strong, bold, and a great sense of humour!

I find them easy to train, and
great to ride, with every breed there are certain lines that tend to excel better in certain disciplines and uses.


This my old Black stalllion performing the opening act at the Skoal Rodeo many years ago, he was a young stallion then.

I love all breeds but the arabians seems tailored to suit me and what I love in a horse.

Kristine
 
#16 ·
My mom sold an 11 year old Arab mare to someone who admitted that they had never even thought of ever wanting one. They had heard so much of the stereotype Arabian, that they were very unsure of considering a purebred Arab. But she sounded perfect for what they were looking for, and so they took a look. The wife was stunned that a purebred Arab mare could stand calmly for mounting, not walk forward until you asked, and was very relaxed. They were very impressed with her and proved to them that just because a horse is a purebred Arabian, doesn't mean that they are some crazy, wild, can't stand still, insurance liability.

My oldest sister has two Arabians with one more on the way. The mother is 27 years young, high energy and loves to go. With a child, she is a babysitter. With a familiar adult, she will race her shadow. If she sees a nice, flat straight stretch with that familiar rider, she will lope in place if you don't let her out. Unless you get off her back, then she hangs her head totally depressed and offended that you didn't want to join her on her quest for ultimate speed. She has a bit of snort and blow, but loves to explore. Her daughter is 18 years old and is the absolutely sweetest horse, and the only thing that intimidates her are llamas. That is the only thing that has fazed her and made her believe that she could be eaten. She didn't bolt, but it was the closest she has ever come. She has the stocky polish build from her sire, and the most laid back personality. My sister hopes that she throws that sweetness into her foal with a body build more similar to the sire (he also has a really nice, laid back personality but has more snort and blow).
 
#17 ·
Lol my dad had an arab gelding that was terrified of llamas. He would just freeze in his tracks and tremble! Poor guy. My first horse was an arab. She is super sweet with people who are uncomfortable around horses, but if you know how to ride, you better pay attention because she bucks, rears, and darts in directions you don't plan on going. I also had an arab/saddlebred, she was the most gorgeous horse, and had so much personality. She would get so mad if I rode a horse other than her, she would watch and then turn her back on me when I went to apologize to her, lol. She was a one person horse, she did not like my family. She was the jiggy horse that had to prance the whole 5 mile trail ride. And that is what it was, a prance. Tail up, neck arched, gorgeous prance. I felt like she could understand what I said to her, she was just so smart. I would totally own one again. There is another JG Key To Your Dreams filly on craigslist that I want so bad, as that was her daddy.
 
#18 ·
My first two horses were full Arab and a very Arab Quarab.
I of course loved them to death and didn't know any different on their personality quirks. Both were so athletic I could ride for weeks on end without worrying about their feet, legs, backs, perfect tough mares for a young girl to ride the tar out of!
I trained my Quarab myself at 11! My parents literally threw the 18 month old mare into the pasture and said there you go. Being that she was part Arab is probably the only reason I'm still alive today! Once she fought off a pack of dogs when we were out trail riding, saved me, and came back to me instead of tearing off home. I haven't found another mare like her. Riding my non-Arab's now is like riding dead lice, but I need that right now. In the future? A big sturdy Arab all the way!

When I was in Egypt I exercised a group of racing Arabian studs. I'm talking about full tilt galloping over sand dunes, miles upon end, never a break, often times barefoot and holding on for dear life! Most exciting time of my life! Could my shuffle footed QH or even my RNSH at home then done that? Never.
I loved how collected and brave they were, arched necks, dancing feet, light as air gaits. Totally blew my stereotypes of stallions and Egyptian Arabians out of the water. They were gentle, so well started, you would never have known they were studs. The first horse I started riding there looked EXACTLY like the black stallion, when they brought him out of the dark black house/barn he was rearing, blowing, dancing! At first all I could see were the whites of his eyes rolling in there! I had a heart attack and couldn't believe I was about to ride him and at that time I thought I was invinceable! The handlers asked me if I wanted to go western or english... Uhhh, WESTERN! As soon as I got on he was completely a different horse, I rode him and the others english every day after that.

I absolutely love an Arabian or a cross. Brains, stamina, sound, and absolutely breathtaking. Of course any horse can be flighty or untrustworthy without proper handling, but if you get a good Arab you'll never look back!
 
#19 ·
The arabs bred them to be real people horses. Altho many are a bit energetic they also listen well. Arabs can often be disciplined with a low "quit". They are sensitive both to voice and touch. I find many qh don't like them "too flightly". Arabs aren't flightly, they just look like they are.
 
#20 ·
When the uninformed put down arabians always remember.... Success breeds contempt.
They are beautiful, spirited, loyal, and sensitive,
All these qualities result in a horse that has in its history changed the world.
Within 100 years of Mohammeds revelation the muslims conqured an empire larger than Rome. They did it on the back of the Arabian horse.
Their use in developing and refining the modern horse is a historical fact without dispute.
Their is an arabian for any activity you wish to pursue. All you need do is look and not very hard. Shalom
 
#21 ·
I rode an Arabian mare for five years and despite not technically owning her, for those five years she was mine. I fully believe that the horse chooses the rider, and with Arabs that is more true than with any other breed. I have never felt so safe on another horse as I did on that mare on a good day. On a bad day...I have never been more terrified.

I fell off of her countless times, but at least 90% of the time it was my fault. She also saved me from falling more times than I can count. And every single time I fell she would stop, turn, and come back to nose at me, as if to say; 'What are you doing down there?'. She taught me more than any other horse I've ever ridden, and not just about riding. Yes, she could be flighty, spooked at shadows, bolted for no apparent reason, and reared on more than one occasion. But she took care of me.

If I had the chance to buy another Arabian like her, I do it in a heartbeat.
 
#22 ·
My first and second horses were Arabians and I ADORED them! And I was green as grass when I got my first horse. No riding lessons, no mentors to speak of. My only experience was with rental horses. And I rode trails, by myself, and had to ride through a busy neighborhood to get to the trails. My Arabians took my everywhere I wanted to go.

So I got my first Arabian and he was lazy and gentle and took good care of me. And while I still owned him, I got my second Arabian who was more spirited and energetic and full of life and loved to run! I got so sick of hearing the "crazy Arab" comments that finally I just had to say "hey, the proof is in the pudding." These horses carry me all over the place safely and I ride everyday, in the city, by myself most of the time. If they were crazy horses I would have been killed a long time ago, lol!

I just loved them! Kept them until they passed away at ages 24 and 26. I now own other breeds just because that's what I ended up with when shopping for trail horses, but I would own another Arabian in a second, assuming it was well trained and large enough to carry me.

I now own a Missouri Fox Trotter who is very much like my Arabians were. Sensitive, energetic, maybe a touch spooky, but oh-so-in-tune with you and trusting once you have gained her trust. I love that quality about Arabians. I called my Fox Trotter my "big Arabian." :lol:

All that and beautiful too. What more could you ask for?

Yeah, I also have friends who dislike Arabians. They just don't "get it." They like a horse that doesn't challenge them I guess. More like a dictatorship. Rider demands, horse responds. With Arabians, it's more like a partnership. Like your riding with your best friend- your horse. :)
 
#24 ·
I too have heard the stories of the hot blooded arabian not so long ago. I have always loved the breed ever since I can remember and have the most wonderful fortune of having one in my life at present and also when I was a teen. My partner is a half arab half american saddlebred and in some people's opinion two hot blooded horses in one equals danger. He is unlike the quater horses where I board him and I think some people are intimidated by him-some were outright frightened by him. He is a smaller horse with a larger than life persona-which is why I love him. He is very intuitive and lets you know exactly how he is feeling. I am never more secure on any other horse than I am with him. He has an intelligence unrivaled by any horse at the barn and I would trust my life with him. When we canter in the field it feels like we are untouchable- in our own little world- flying across the grass as one being.
 
#27 ·
I'm so spoiled by my Arabians and halfs. They are as everyone says, so smart and in tune with their person. I bought a cremello stallion for a color/half Arab breeding program and while he's very sweet, he's just SUCH a QH. I mentioned to someone that bouncing ideas off and Arab is like using a real tight trampoline, you get instant feed back. The QH is more like, "huh? were you talking to me?" and you may or may not get feed back. The Arabs are a lot less fearful over all than the QH, they may spook and snort and blow, but it's mostly for show. My stallion walks in, around, under the flappy blue tarp and stands peeking out at me, after he spooked once. The QH is more, "NOPE, no way, no how, not even maybe." about the whole thing. He'll eventually desensitize to it, but it's going to take a concerted and deliberate effort on my part to make it happen. Given his druthers, he'll avoid it forever. The Arab's natural curiosity compells them to go check it out and by doing that, they get right past most scarey stuff.

Riding my Arabs is like another poster said, riding with my best friend. I don't need to have another human to go riding, I just go.
 
#40 ·
they may spook and snort and blow, but it's mostly for show.
THIS! My yearling decided to go nuts the other day when I was shaking off a feed bag to put in the burn pile. Snorting, white eyes, ears up, bolting from here to there. I just looke at him and said "Really?" he instantly stopped, walked over, then stood on the bag and started trying to chew on it! He had NO fear of the bag, he just thought the racing around was a fun game.
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#28 ·
The first thing is, get a good one. Some bloodlines are better than others for pleasure horses. There are plenty of crazy arabians out there(like any other breeds). There are some super spooky ones, I have seen the good and the bad. I work with a bad one, get fed up, end up with a few other breeds for a while, but always come back to them.

The first horse i did compeditive trail with was an arab. He had been through many owners before us and wasn't super interested in people. He was a great trail horse though. After him I worked with a few different arabs and I was impressed with the fire, personality, intelligence and conection with people.

Then I worked with a gorgeous, well bred, well broke arab mare. She spooked at every thing, all the time. The arena was ok, but it didn't matter how many miles we put on her, trail rides were exhausting. She was lacking the intelligence side of things. She spooked when her foal was a few days old and stepped on his hock. Then she spooked in the pasture and nearly ran him over. She was not mentally a good example of her breed. She is now a ladies pleasure horse, and is ridden almost exclusively indoors.

I rescued koko from an auction. His owners thought he was crazy. What he was was a big, athletic, powerful diva. When we had a good day, we were like one creature, i could walk/t/c gallop bareback with a string around his neck. it was amazing. On bad days he would buck me off on a whim, throw tantrums, and generally act like a total diva. I sold him to hard core endurance racers.

I just got Lady and I'm so excited. She 'talks' back to me, doesnt have the spook or the crazy side, but she can snort with the best of them. Never a dull day with an arabian. My dog is a mutt, but basically the canine version of Lady.
 
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