tumbleweed
Posted : 3/26/2011 5:41:37 AM
I am new to this site and forum. I can't get over the harsh, negative remarks I have been reading against the whole Arabian breed, especially Egyptian-Arabians. First, all breeds have their good and bad eggs. Second, how a horse has been handled from birth has a huge impact on his behavior. Third, I breed and raise Egyptian-Arabians and they are as sweet as pie. However, just because I breed Arabians does not mean that I need to bad mouth other breeds. I am an animal lover! My father owned and operated a boarding stable, so I gained experience with many breeds and types of horses. I barrel raced on quarter horses. I learned to ride American Saddlebreds and they were wonderful, but sometimes a lot of horse for a 14 year old. I have driven and ridden grade horses and other breeds, and my experience has taught me that how a horse has been handled has a lot of bearing on how the horse behaves and what people think of the horse.
I was always told that Arabians were flighty and dangerous, so when I had the opportunity to purchase an Arabian mare, after several years of not having ridden, I was a bit hesitant because of hearsay. I purchased the mare and couldn't have asked for a better horse. The one feature that stood out about her compared to other horses I had been around was the fact that she truly wanted to be with me. She would have come in my house if I had allowed it. She loved watching children play and was always very gentle with them. Other breeds seem to have a "take you or leave you" attitude. They may act like they are glad to see you, but generally it's because you have, or they think you have,
brought them something to eat. Arabians are very intelligent horses and if you don't know much about horses, or if you are flighty or boisterous yourself, they will respond likewise. They are inquisitive and quick. I now breed Egyptian-Arabians and my stud is very sweet. All the foals are people friendly and ready to learn.
I inherited a 3/4 Haflinger mare. While she can open gates and lean on fences until they fall down, I still love her. She is so smart. Again, I have to say, if you don't know much about horses, she will bluff you into being afraid of her. She cannot be "forced" into doing anything she doesn't want to do. But, once she knows you can't be bluffed, she is a good horse. The method used in handling a horse is very important! Just because a person has owned and ridden a horse, does not make them a horseman. People have to be trained in how to handle horses. And, just like people have different learning styles, so do horses. Some horses may respond better to women than men, and vice-versa. Some horses may be quick to catch on and others may be slow. Once a horse has been taught one thing, it's easier to teach it another. Repetition is good, but too much of the same thing can be bad. There are a lot of things to consider before labeling a horse.
I agree that there are some Arabian's who are shown in halter classes that appear to be very flighty. Since the audience wants to see a lot of "flash," they are purposely excited before entering the show ring. In fact, I read a letter in a horse magazine once from a woman who was against Clinton Anderson's methods of desensitizing horses because the horses aren't as flashy in the show ring if they have been desensitized. That's not a horse fault, that's a person's preference. If a horse, any breed, is good or bad, it's mostly due to their handling and training. Bloodlines and temperament can only give a horse it's foundation for the human to work with, the rest is up to the handler. Before getting a horse, no matter the breed, I suggest you study the breed before purchasing the horse, or you might get a horse that doesn't fit your personality and/or preferences. When someone makes a blanket statement about a group - whether it's a people group or an animal group - it generally just spotlights their ignorance. It's okay to prefer one breed to another. We're all different and have different preferences. That's why there are so many choices. No matter what breed you own, be a responsible owner.
And, that's all I have to say about that!