[mustang_dodger]

i don't have an arabian, but i have rode a few and i love them. my cousin's mare was a great mare. she sure loved to jump.

[MissCriss]

I agree that Arabs are becoming MUCH more popular and versatile. I especially love Arab/WB crosses.

Of the videos above, I wasn't so impressed with the dressage, but it was certainly still fun to watch. The jumper was very talented.

My trainer has had several successful Arabs and a couple OTTBs that made it to Grand Prix dressage. She has had one Arab go up to Intermediate II, another to 4th level I think, a NSH to Intermediate II, and a WB/Arab stallion that had a spectacular trot and was scoring in the 70's in first and training open.

[Fiera]

Of course.

I think I've posted pics of the bay Arab mare jumping 4'9 often enough in these sort of threads

[horseyfrk145]

I have a 1/2 arab, and really love what the breed does to my boy! I am not a *huge* fan of full arabs, but I've seen a ton of really nice ones!

I'm an eventer, and I'm disappointed often to see how few arabs are on the circuit.

[Fiera]

Another thing:

I think why people think Arabs mainly cannot jump is because they do not try it out. People buying Arabs usually don't dabble in the jumping sphere, so they never find out what their horse is actually capable of. Also, people looking for a jumping horse don't tend to look at Arabs, so those Arabs that can jump don'tgo to jumping homes that get their names out there. My barn jumps EVERYTHING, and that's how they find some AMAZING jumper coming from odd breeds, like little Arabs.

[MissCriss]

Originally Posted by Fiera

Another thing:

I think why people think Arabs mainly cannot jump is because they do not try it out. People buying Arabs usually don't dabble in the jumping sphere, so they never find out what their horse is actually capable of. Also, people looking for a jumping horse don't tend to look at Arabs, so those Arabs that can jump don'tgo to jumping homes that get their names out there. My barn jumps EVERYTHING, and that's how they find some AMAZING jumper coming from odd breeds, like little Arabs.

In addition to that, I think part of it is also because of the way people are breeding some of these park/english pleasure/saddle seat/show hack performers. The way you breed them to have that kind of conformation and movement is very contrary to what you would want in the jumper arena. Those kinds of Arabs, although stunningly beautiful, aren't exactly my favorite when it comes to any other kinds of sports besides perhaps things like carriage. The versatile, every day Arab is what I admire the most, more so than the Saddlebred-ish types with extra thin throatlatches and extra long necks and extra long backs, and extra delicate faces and legs, etc. etc.

[lilrider]

Originally Posted by Fiera

Another thing:

I think why people think Arabs mainly cannot jump is because they do not try it out. People buying Arabs usually don't dabble in the jumping sphere, so they never find out what their horse is actually capable of. Also, people looking for a jumping horse don't tend to look at Arabs, so those Arabs that can jump don'tgo to jumping homes that get their names out there. My barn jumps EVERYTHING, and that's how they find some AMAZING jumper coming from odd breeds, like little Arabs.

Originally Posted by MissCriss

In addition to that, I think part of it is also because of the way people are breeding some of these park/english pleasure/saddle seat/show hack performers. The way you breed them to have that kind of conformation and movement is very contrary to what you would want in the jumper arena. Those kinds of Arabs, although stunningly beautiful, aren't exactly my favorite when it comes to any other kinds of sports besides perhaps things like carriage. The versatile, every day Arab is what I admire the most, more so than the Saddlebred-ish types with extra thin throatlatches and extra long necks and extra long backs, and extra delicate faces and legs, etc. etc.

Exactly. The arabs they are breeding these days for halter and park do not have the type of conformation you want to see in a jumping horse. Now the ones they are breeding as sport horses would excel.

[gigga]

I do not know enything about different breeds, but to me (as a kind of an outsider) I think Arabians sure are the most beautiful and graceful and from what Ive heard the breed has been uesd alot to "better" other breeds so that to me speaks like they are good

[StockHorseGirl]

I agree, Arabians are awesome! I do think it takes a certain type of rider to ride an Arabian though. They are very smart and they will test you. I have found that they will be very gentle to an absolute beginner though. I gave my friend who has never ridden a horse a ride on Kismet and she acted perfect. If I am making a mistake she will always make sure she corrects me and she pushes me to get better.

Arabians are showoffs and they love their jobs. While most other horses would rather sit around and get fat Arabians have a certain need for human companionship and like to get out and work.

Sorry, I can't resist a chance to blab about how much I love these guys!

[EquineJessie]

I think what "ruined" the breed's reputation was back when they were SO popular, everyone started breeding them. Kinda like what happened with German Shepherds and Rottwieilers... Instead of superior horses/dogs being bred, everything was bred. With arabs, you ended up with some crazy horses. With the dogs you ended up w/some crazy ones w/lots of health problems.

Now that arabs are "out", only devoted arab people have been breeding them and now we're getting some quality back. JMHO