[*BaRrEL_BaBE*]

Believe it or not, I am considering branching out. After being informed by Blistering Winds that Arabians are starting to come out in the rodeo circuit, I opened my eyes. I have not known many Arabians in my lifetime, to be honest. One was a lesson horse that I fell off of , another was a training horse I took in that was just a plain nutcase, and I know of a couple that are killer gamers. Then of course there are all those other ones that people "attempt" to compete with. God forbid I should look like a "wannabe," let alone on an Arabian. What advice can you give on this breed as far as a riding horse, the market, and anything else of great significance?

[arabkid]

Advice.....make sure you know pedigree's or know someone who does! Oh and always show up to ride a horse after the first time without notice...that way they can't work them and tire them out for ya lol Other then that, they're a blast, I would know!!!

[Blistering Winds]

I'd go with an Anglo-arab. Arabian/TB cross to do Barrels on. hopefully, if you do your research,you'll get the shorter arab, and some of the positive stamina of the TB.

Those were popular in team penning down south. Man fast little buggers.

[wyldterv]

The problem with our part of the NW is there are a few REALLY well bred Arabians that have athletic qualities, along with temperament and health.... They're out here but you will expect to pay at least $7,500 on up for one, and that's usually for a young gelding.

We have ALOT of Arabians in this part of the NW (Western, WA), but, in all honesty, many of them, while registered, are products of back yard breeding programs and do not have the athleticism nor temperament and health you should expect. You can find many of these from $500-$1,500 around here.

There are, though some good, quality breeders out here and if you have the $$ and love a horse that requires YOU to think on your feet 24/7 with the energy (not to be confused with hyper-activity!) and athleticsm to go all day long, well to me nothing is more beautiful then a well put together Arab.

Once in awhile you can find a good gelding in the $2,500-4,000 price range, generally not much has been done with them but they have enough quality to hold together under a work load.

I'd suggest Contacting RO Lervick Farms in Stanwood for a tour (they're an AHA Destiny Farm) and spend some time around a few Arabs to see if you'd like their heightened attitude. While wonderful (IMO anyway, LOL) they are very different from the majority of QH/Paints in disposition and energy level.

[arabkid]

Originally Posted by wyldterv

There are, though some good, quality breeders out here and if you have the $$ and love a horse that requires YOU to think on your feet 24/7 with the energy (not to be confused with hyper-activity!) and athleticsm to go all day long, well to me nothing is more beautiful then a well put together Arab.

AGREED!

Yes, you get what you pay for, if you want a good one, they are normally pretty expensive...but if you ask me it's worth it in the end

[wyldterv]

Originally Posted by arabkid

...you get what you pay for, if you want a good one, they are normally pretty expensive...but if you ask me it's worth it in the end

Now to figure out the HOW TO PAY For part... LOL... I've found SEVERAL I'd have in my barn Something about the horse costing more then my and Roger's combined income for the year, just isn't impressing Roger's sense of financial viscitude!!!! ROTFLMAO.... **sighs and shakes head... I HAD to find a guy who's FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE... what was I THINKING!!!** LOLOLOL

[arabkid]

Originally Posted by wyldterv

Now to figure out the HOW TO PAY For part... LOL... I've found SEVERAL I'd have in my barn Something about the horse costing more then my and Roger's combined income for the year, just isn't impressing Roger's sense of financial viscitude!!!! ROTFLMAO.... **sighs and shakes head... I HAD to find a guy who's FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE... what was I THINKING!!!** LOLOLOL

lol I don't know what you were thinking you crazy girl!!! lol I hate to tell ya this.....but ya only live once! haha

[wyldterv]

Originally Posted by arabkid

lol I don't know what you were thinking you crazy girl!!! lol I hate to tell ya this.....but ya only live once! haha

I was thinking he had a NICE SMILE and cute behind, ROTFL... Yes you do only live once, but WHILE living you DO need to pay the electric bill, feed the mutts and have a bit left over for hay and petrol for the truck... ROTFL....

[g1bass]

There is a general consensus that Arabians are unmanageable or nutcases that is just plain wrong, some are, some are not. The biggest case I see against Arabians is people with questionable horsemanship skills trying to train them. They are hot and those training them need a great deal more finesse, they simply won't tolerate bullying. Most of the nutjobs you see are the results of mishandling. Now in saying that I will tell you some breeding is prone to being hotter than others and if you are looking for a good Arab with terrific performance capabilities, who just won't quit, try to stick to the Crabbet or CMK bloodlines or the Polish bloodlines (most of them also dont have that awfully flat croup that minimises their performance ability). Arabians are racing in a lot of states, you can usually buy horses of the track for $2000-$3000 and have a horse that WILL run and your job will then be putting a handle on him. BTW as for them being crazy, my old stallion, was used as a lesson horse, a show horse in combination classes. That means I drove him in the arena in a show buggy then stopped him
unhitched him, saddled him and completed the class undersaddle. I helped pen cattle on him and rode him in a few parades, he also did tricks and managed to be my best friend along the way, he was much of a horse and very very sane. Good luck in finding a good performance bred Arab horse and if I can help recommend where to look for Arabs with some racing background, feel free to message me.

[willodean]

My only experience with an Arab was my first lesson horse. She was Awesome, because of her, I have a soft spot in my heart for them. But, I would listen to wyldterv and arabkid because it seems to me they know what they're talking about! Good Luck!!