Arabians as dressage / hunter horses?

GiddyUpScoot · 01-28-2008, 09:34 AM

Arabs are suited for so many different diciplines, but like all horses, it just depends on the build and the breeding. For example, I rode a 1/2 Arab for a friend of mine a few years back. They purchased him as a 1/2 Arab English Pleasure horse for herself and her daughter. He had the motion all right, but he was VERY uncomfortable picking his head up and would shut down completely. So, I offered to ride him huntseat and he was a totally different horse. He LOVED it and had a blast jumping... he was pretty good at it too! As for his motion... he still had some, but when he was shod more like a hunt horse I was able to get some AMAZING extension out of him... I just wish that I had taken videos after I worked him for the summer... the only videos I have were from his 2nd or 3rd ride. But, he did well and once he was allowed to do what he was built to do, he was a much happier, healthier horse.

I had someone give me a great piece of advice once and say, you want to be a horseman first and a competetor second... if you reverse those roles, it's time to get out of horses.

Best of luck!

StockHorseGirl · 01-29-2008, 05:41 PM

Thank you for the info guys! I have decided to get the Arab mare. She looked very dressagey (yeah, I don't think that's a word

) but I think she would do great in Arabian hunter classes too. She had also had some basic professional reigning training so I can ride her in some western classes too. I think she will be a great mare for me and I am so excited to get into the Arab showing world and also open dressage shows.

I'll post pics when she comes here! She is hopefully being picked up on either Sat. or Sun.

*Psylocke* · 01-29-2008, 06:52 PM

Congrats, whatever venue you decide to show her in!

AlmostFamous · 02-01-2008, 03:05 PM

Me and my arabian never had problems placing, actually we usually win at the B rated and place at the A rated hunter shows. I think it is because he is barreled bellyed and isnt as refined. Although he has the dished head and tail up, we have a very pretty headset and he jump over fences is to die for. Rounded yet perfectly squared and tight knees. I think it all has to do with the judge but you can make arabian things less obvious with a little work.

CowGirlUp1833 · 02-01-2008, 03:24 PM

I *personally* think arabians can be very sporty and can do well in both sports.

HOWEVER, it really doesn't matter what you and I think, now does it? It matters what the judge thinks at the end of the day. If you just want to go out and have fun and don't really care if you get snubbed (Because, lets face it you will) then I say go for it!

But if winning or at least placing matters, then you may want to consider a more common breed such as TB, WB or appendix to do these sports.

From experience, I KNOW that arabs can do these things...I had an arab mare (gasp, I know!) that I did cross country and hunters with and she did well.... I never showed her because I know how it is. Because I didn't own my own horses as a kid I was always forced to show the fat little school horses- a 14h qh mare and a 15.1 loudly color, typical old style app.... we never got higher then a 5th, even when we really did deserve it.

That is the chance you take when you "think outside the box".

It has nothing to do with ability ....although not all will have the talent for it... but even the ones that do very often get overlooked for little more the discrimination...

grandchampion1 · 02-01-2008, 05:45 PM

Arabians can be successful in the open dressage and hunter A circut shows, however, it depends on the horse. Some arabs would not be suitable and others would be excellent. My advice for you is that you should ride the horse and have your trainer evaluate the horses potential. It also depends what level you plan to show at. But i used to have a registered 1/2 arabian and he did exceptionally well at the shows and beat thoroughbreds and warmbloods at the shows many times. Unless it is actually a breed show the judges are not judging your mount on it's breed they are judging on its poise, movement, overall look, and performance.
Good luck on your search for a new horse!
=]

01-28-2008, 09:34 AM	#21
GiddyUpScoot Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: in the stix of New Hampshire :P Posts: 1,887 Images: 36	Arabs are suited for so many different diciplines, but like all horses, it just depends on the build and the breeding. For example, I rode a 1/2 Arab for a friend of mine a few years back. They purchased him as a 1/2 Arab English Pleasure horse for herself and her daughter. He had the motion all right, but he was VERY uncomfortable picking his head up and would shut down completely. So, I offered to ride him huntseat and he was a totally different horse. He LOVED it and had a blast jumping... he was pretty good at it too! As for his motion... he still had some, but when he was shod more like a hunt horse I was able to get some AMAZING extension out of him... I just wish that I had taken videos after I worked him for the summer... the only videos I have were from his 2nd or 3rd ride. But, he did well and once he was allowed to do what he was built to do, he was a much happier, healthier horse. I had someone give me a great piece of advice once and say, you want to be a horseman first and a competetor second... if you reverse those roles, it's time to get out of horses. Best of luck! __________________ ~Nikki~ Scotland's Commander In Chief 2008 NHH&TA ASB Hunter CP Champion 2007 TSASA ASB Western & Sr. Versatility Champion; ASB Hunter CP Reserve Champion

01-29-2008, 06:52 PM	#23
Psylocke Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: I.....AM....CANADIAN! Posts: 5,142 Images: 68 Blog Entries: 32	Congrats, whatever venue you decide to show her in! __________________ You just have to consider the possibility that everyone else may be wrong -- Sean Penn I've been snowballed.....twice!

02-01-2008, 03:24 PM	#25
CowGirlUp1833 Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Holland Lake Shore, West Michigan Posts: 16,575 Images: 411 Blog Entries: 37	I personally think arabians can be very sporty and can do well in both sports. HOWEVER, it really doesn't matter what you and I think, now does it? It matters what the judge thinks at the end of the day. If you just want to go out and have fun and don't really care if you get snubbed (Because, lets face it you will) then I say go for it! But if winning or at least placing matters, then you may want to consider a more common breed such as TB, WB or appendix to do these sports. From experience, I KNOW that arabs can do these things...I had an arab mare (gasp, I know!) that I did cross country and hunters with and she did well.... I never showed her because I know how it is. Because I didn't own my own horses as a kid I was always forced to show the fat little school horses- a 14h qh mare and a 15.1 loudly color, typical old style app.... we never got higher then a 5th, even when we really did deserve it. That is the chance you take when you "think outside the box". It has nothing to do with ability ....although not all will have the talent for it... but even the ones that do very often get overlooked for little more the discrimination... __________________ www.Equine-Endeavors.com Proud mom of Rusty and Stevey - the 2 best red-heads anyone could love!

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01-29-2008, 05:41 PM	#22
StockHorseGirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Northeastern AL Posts: 788 Images: 69	Thank you for the info guys! I have decided to get the Arab mare. She looked very dressagey (yeah, I don't think that's a word ) but I think she would do great in Arabian hunter classes too. She had also had some basic professional reigning training so I can ride her in some western classes too. I think she will be a great mare for me and I am so excited to get into the Arab showing world and also open dressage shows. I'll post pics when she comes here! She is hopefully being picked up on either Sat. or Sun.

02-01-2008, 03:05 PM	#24
AlmostFamous Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 7	Me and my arabian never had problems placing, actually we usually win at the B rated and place at the A rated hunter shows. I think it is because he is barreled bellyed and isnt as refined. Although he has the dished head and tail up, we have a very pretty headset and he jump over fences is to die for. Rounded yet perfectly squared and tight knees. I think it all has to do with the judge but you can make arabian things less obvious with a little work.

02-01-2008, 05:45 PM	#26
grandchampion1 Full Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: USA Posts: 127	Arabians can be successful in the open dressage and hunter A circut shows, however, it depends on the horse. Some arabs would not be suitable and others would be excellent. My advice for you is that you should ride the horse and have your trainer evaluate the horses potential. It also depends what level you plan to show at. But i used to have a registered 1/2 arabian and he did exceptionally well at the shows and beat thoroughbreds and warmbloods at the shows many times. Unless it is actually a breed show the judges are not judging your mount on it's breed they are judging on its poise, movement, overall look, and performance. Good luck on your search for a new horse! =]