Cross Breeds - What do I need to know about riding an Arabian vs other horses?

What do I need to know about riding an Arabian vs other horses?

I love the beauty of the Arabian horse, and I am in the process of searching for the perfect one to buy. Before purchasing, though, I am wondering what is different about riding Arabians compared to other warmbloods and other hotbloods (besides the obvious difference in looks).

Public Comments

good choice , they tend to be alittle more on the strong minded side thats all. you need a well trained one ,maybe gelded, about 3 or 4 years old sounds fine
Although Arabian horses are Beautiful, They are so..... i guess the word would be fiesty. They ride smoother that horses and when they run it's like riding on wind! But make sure the horse is not a young one. 2-4 years. They are known to be the hardest horses to break! They are wonderful horses though!
My experience with Arabians has been that they are stubborn and not real intelligent. Personally, I wouldn't have another one.
They are pretty much feel the same !!! You pretty much hold on tight and let them run! Some horses are smoother than others but that would be about it.
First of all, great choice. Arabs make wonderful riding horses, but most of all, great companions. They are in no way stubborn or unintelligent, exactly the opposite in my experience. The key to establishing a good riding relationship with an Arab is to work with him (or her) and have respect for each other. Do not buy a young Arab if you are not familiar with training a horse. They can be difficult to train, only because they are so smart. You have to have a very calm personality so as not to excite an Arab. I would suggest getting a gelding about 7-10 years old. This way, you can still teach him anything you want, but he should already be trained pretty well. When you do find that 'perfect Arab,' don't just buy on looks alone, he/she almost needs to choose you, instead of you choosing him/her. My first horse was a 4 year old Arab gelding. My mother bought him for herself, and the two of them didn't get along at all. He wouldn't listen and frequently took off with her. Then I started to ride him, and we had a wonderful friendship. We could go anywhere and do anything. He ended up being a fantastic jumper, could jump 3'3'', and could run like the wind. I used to take him out bareback with just a halter and lead rope and we'd go for long trail rides and go galloping. In the arena, I could ride him even without a halter or bridle, he had that much trust in me and I in him. But no one else could get on him and do the same. Arabs tend to be 'one person' horses. They are very loyal to one person, and will do anything for that person if the respect and trust has been established. As for the riding aspect, there really isn't anything 'different' about an Arab. They do have far superior movement to many other breeds, and tend to be rather bouncy, especially in the trot, due to the loftiness and impulsion in the gait. The canter, however, is usually marvelous. The walk is long and free. Overall, a very nice ride, but not so easy to sit the trot. They make great dressage horses, are fantastic jumpers (although they can get a little 'hot' while jumping), and great trail or endurance horses. They are very surefooted and have great stamina. Good luck in finding yourself a great companion and riding buddy!!
I do agree that Arabians are one of the most beautiful horses. Arabians can be pretty hiper. So I would definately get one that is a little calmer compared to the others. Don't choose one because of its color or marks. Look deeper. For you safety and the horse. All Arabians are beautiful so keep your mind open.
I had an Arabian that I used to ride in the Montana Mountains. we got along great and he was very fast, which I found out when I got chased by a bear once. I would have another one. Mine was very smart and rode like a dream.
Arabian vs. Other Breed of Horse Arabians are hotblooded, and sometimes not very smart, and they can get you into trouble with them.(bucking, being strong,taking off with you, not listening to aids, being heavy on the mouth(resisting the bit)) Arabians...once in a great while you will find a good one, but I'll tell you now Arabians can be just plain dumb compared to Warmbloods. I board at a Warmblood 3 Day Eventing Stable and these Warmbloods are amazing!!! They can take a 3'6" oxer like it's nothing! If I were going to buy a horse and I had enough money, I'd buy a big 17hh Warmblood. If you are going to still get an Arabian, (against my advice) I would get one already trained in the disipline you want, and havve the Arabian be atleast 6 years old. They can be VERY stubborn and VERY hard to train. Remember, looks can be deciving!!! Good luck with your horse search!!!
I was raised with arabs before I went to mules. There are ALOT of similarities between mules and arabs honestly. They both have to trust you to work for you. They both get bored easily and you must change your routine with them to keep them excited about training. They both will give their hearts for you when they know you are WORKING FOR THEM. etc. I like arabs alot, but my mules have my heart. As far as breed characteristics, they are generally more healthier than other breeds, rarely get navicular and leg problems. They have one less vertebrae in their back which makes their backs more stout. They are hot bloods, so that does make them more energetic. They have lots of energy and thats why you must direct that into something positive. Depending on the bloodlines, that can help you know if your horse will be 'hotter' than others. Typically Polish and Crabbet breedings are more muscular than Egyptian and Russian bred. I have felt that Egyptian were more 'hot' than Polish and Crabbet. We used solely Polish and Crabbet bred arabs in my folks breeding program. I have seen arabs used in cattle events, speed events etc. They are able to multitask, but it depends on the horse and their build. They are wonderful animals, but not for everyone, as are mules. Check your bloodlines, talk to professionals in the breed, they can help you find one that works to your specifications. Good luck!! I read alot of the negativity with what ppl commented on about arabs. Sometimes you just have to be smarter than the animal and some people are unable to change routines and look for better training routes. In mules and arabs,you have to, its a must. You can't be a rigid trainer, it just doesn't work. You also can't cowboy them and force them some trainers do. This is where the negative comments come from, lack of training, lack of ability and lack of communication between horse and rider.
They are a little bit jumpy at times, but not as long as there is a confident knowing rider on their backs. Older are great with young kids. The ride, let me tell you is way different! It is sooo comfortable. Their strides just make it better. Their canter is easier to sit too and their trot is easy for western and for English helps with posting. As a rider with back issues, Arabians make my riding much easier. Just look around, find a good one. Depending on your skill I would go for one that is around 15 years old. They live for a really long time. I have a 34 yr old lesson Arab who is in great shape. The older the calmer so that is your best bet, I can say that I enjoy a challenge so, sometimes you need to be ready for a sudden sound to make your horse jump a bit. Some think they are dumb just because they spook, but as far as training and understanding whats going on, I would say they are great at learning. I have trained alot and found Arabs just get it, and they want to work for you. They take it to heart and remember when someone hurts them, and that is where, I believe some of their nieve fear comes from. Good Luck and I hope you find the right horse for you.
well usually Arabian's are a lot more high-sprung and if u look at their temperment scale it is usually clocked between a 5-8 and sumtimes 10 (but rarely) our friend has 3 arabians and always has a hard time getting them to do the very right thing. they like to mess with you and act better then u so that they can get away with anything. so just make sure that you teach them who's boss. and yes they are a bony horse but very beautiful. and they are great for jumping or as a friend, because it sure seems like they want allll the attention! lol so be prepared for a "get up and go" type of horse and make sure u are prepared for everything they put towards you! have fun with ur new horsie :D -mel
Unless you find a rare 16 hand Arabian (yes, they exist), the most obvious difference is that you are closer to the ground. At Arabian breed shows you will often see riders that look too big for their mounts, but that is normal. I've found that Arabians generally have very smooth gaits. They also have a naturally arched neck. One of the biggest mistakes that can be made is for a trainer to try to force them into a stock horse (ie QH) frame. They aren't built that way. They are generally active - as opposed to lazy - but depending on the bloodline can be a calm, sensible horse. Egyptians - which are the typiest - are generally the "hottest". I would recommend a different bloodline, like Polish or Crabbett.
Arabians are very beautiful and very intelligent. They are usually smarter than the average human being, and very sensitive also. Those who do not enjoy them do not understand them. The Arabian breed has been used, abused and exploited, with alot of inbreeding and linebreeding going on in the last 25 years. But there are still many great and honest breeders. Arabians are known to be flightly and difficult, because there have been alot of amateurs trying to train them at home. They need alot of consistant and solid training. I have owned several and they have been loved and disciplined like all of my other horses. An interesting fact is that they have one less vertabrae in their backbone than any other breed. This does not effect their way of moving or strength though. There are different types from different countries, the Egyptian being a lighter boned and less athletic type, good for showing halter and very pretty, dished face. And the Polish and Spanish bred Arabians which are extremely athletic, have more substance, and make excellent riding horses. Arabians have been known as the Jack of all trades in the horse business, not excelling well in any sport excepting Endurance Trail Riding. There have been several that have been outstanding in their jobs, excelling over other breeds in Battle of the Breeds competitions, but very few. What do you want to do on your new horse? Consider the assets of other breeds excelling in certain facets of riding, and choose a breed for what you need it to do. If you want a pleasure horse that is solid on the ground and when you are riding it, and you are a new rider, I would start with a well trained gelding, a quarter horse is the most solid and reliable, but if you are stuck on getting as Arabian, you can find a well trained one with some research. As far as comfortable gaits are concerned, I ridden very smooth gaited Arabians and quarter horses, and very choppy gaited of each. It is all in the individual and how he is built through the shoulders, and the pasterns. Contact a well known trainer and breeder, and don't buy a "backyard" Arabian, as they are the ones that usually have been ruined by their humans. Take your time and don't buy the first horse you look at. Remember, pretty is as pretty does. Good luck. Professional trainer
I agree with mulereiner or horselady. Arabs are great horses, for the right person. Arabs are smart, and sensitive, this makes them less than ideal horses for people that don't know what they are doing. Arabs get a bad reputation because they often get purchased by people that buy them only because they are pretty, these people have no idea how to care for any horse let alone a sensitive horse like an arab, they end up in a mess and the horse gets labled as a "crazy arab", of course it is the breeds fault not the irrisponsible owner. Arabs that are raised and trained by people that dont understand them usually end up as total train wrecks, but an arab that has been bred carefully and trained properly will be a great horse. Don't buy an arab just because they are pretty, go look at some first, take some riding lessons at an arab barn, then decide if the breed is for you. If you buy one just because they are pretty without doing your homework, you will just be another person contributing to the arab's bad reputation. Riding an arab is basicly the same as anyother breed. It also depends a lot on the individual horse. Some arabs are lazy, others are very forward. Most of the arabs that I have had have been just as quiet as any quarter horse I have ever met. I have only had one arab to fit ANY of the negitive arab sterotypes, and that arab was the result of a backyard breeding. A lot of arabs have shorter strides, and more knee action then other breeds, this makes riding them a bit different from say a long strided TB, but it is easy to adjust to. I have also found that my arabs get really bonded to one person, and are very loyal, once you get their trust they will do just about anything for you. Arabs aren't really stubborn or hard to train, they just require a different approach to training, it is really hard to bully an arab into doing something. If you aren't a calm, laid back person it is easy to excite and scare an arab. This is why people get the impression that arabs are hard to train, because they are very sensitive and aware of their surroundings.
Arabians tend to be pretty stubborn and high-strung, but they are one of the best all-around horses. They tend to excel at the sport of endurance riding because that's what they are essentially built for, but I have seen Arabians in almost every equestrian sport. I'm currently training a 12-year-old Arabian mare basic dressage and out of the 11 horses under my belt, she takes the most out of my arms and stamina (even more than my percheron cross!). But, she shows great potential and she can be very obedient when she wants to be. So to sum, if you can handle a high-strung, stubborn, but extremely talented and beautiful breed, go for it!
First of all I couldn't even believe the question was ask. But when I began to read the answers I had to call my daughter into the room to LMFAO at them!! A horse is a horse. You don't judge people by race nor horses by breed. Yes, a horse's breed or bloodline may predispose him to certian traits but that is about it folks!! That would be like saying all blondes are stupid or all black people commit crimes! Get a grip!! The traits of an Arabian depending on their bloodline (foundation, CMK) are that yes they are more family oriented and make great endurance horses due to the fact they were bred this way for hundreds of years. Just as certian bloodlines of quarterhorses are bred to have "cow" in them. Now if we throw the wrong environment and or training into any equation yes you'd get a different horse. Riding a horse is riding a horse.......no difference except english western or such. I am biased however that the foundation arabians are the best arabians. They retain the generations of heart, mind, and soul that were so important to their breeders from Arabia. The Arabs took great great pride in their horses, way more so than any other people. And by the way ALL of our horses here today CAME FROM THE ARABIAN.
Arabs are AMAZING. they may not be the brightest but they bond easily( geldings anyway) and most would give you all theyve got to make you happy. they tend to be a little spookier and more personality. I would recommend an arab to anyone with patience and who wants a fiery energetic animal to be their buddy.
I'VE ALWAYS OWNED ARABIANS, I TRAIN EVERYTHING BUT WOULD NEVER BUY ANYTHING ELSE FOR MYSELF. THE ONE THING TO KEEP IN MIND ARAB OR NOT EACH HORSE IS DIFFERENT BUT YOU HAVE YOUR SPANISH ARABS THAT I LOVE THEY ARE A LITTLE MORE LAID BACK NOT AS JUMPY AS THE EGYPTIAN BREED YOU NEED TO GET TO KNOW YOUR HOURS AND GO FROM THERE. BUT I CAN TELL YOU FIRST HAND ARABS ARE THE BEST IN MY OPPION.