Arabs

[Lilybetsey]

Talk to me about Arabs. I’m a middle aged woman, 10 stone who has recently started riding again. I rode from a young child till my mid 30’s then stopped when I had young children. I’ve recently started riding again with a horse share but I would love to have my own horse, I have always always wanted an Arab.

It would be a full livery situation in a very experienced yard, with the option of onsite lessons ..

Fortunately the finance is not the main issue, I’m more worried that I might not be able to handle an Arab horse as all the ones I have ridden have been quite spirited ,

I had a PBA Welsh Cross as my first pony and partner in crime for over thirty years . We were a bit had over by the person she came from - she turned out to be 4 instead of 7 . She was fortunately very forgiving as she could have really played up , but instead she taught me how to ride using my weight instead of my legs and hands . She was very very sensitive to the leg , so much so that putting a leg on had to be done very carefully or you’d be away ! But she was bombproof in traffic , even if she had an absolute belief it was her place to lead , and tough luck on everyone else . She was the best mounted games pony I ever knew . I miss her every day.

I'd say don't look for a particular breed. Look for one that is established in what you want to do, is the right size and has a nice temperament

This. Unless you have a specific activity in mind a certain breed is better suited for, don’t restrict yourself.

Look more generally for height, age, and activity type. If you want a nice hack, doesn’t matter what the breeding is, as long as it hacks. Same for dressage, jumping, or the “good all rounder”.

I had an arab x as a child. No more of a problem than my friends cob or tb x. They all had “issues”. Best horse i had was an ex riding school, tb x, had been in an accident and failed the vet test. Sold as the riding school couldn’t get a saddle on it and had turned it away for two years. Bought on a hunch and with the right work turned into a super little novice competition horse. Just not suited to a riding school.

Previous full Egyptian Arab owner here.
Mine was super clever, trusting, never sick or sorry, wintered out, always clean, a good doer generally.
Very well schooled beyond medium level (by someone else), loved hacking alone or in company. Jumped like a stag.
Negatives - he was VERY sharp & spooky, even in his teens. Literally, my heart was in my mouth doing anything with him, especially if it was windy. And it wouldn’t just be obvious things he would spook at - a bent nettle would often do !

Did I enjoy having him - yes.
Would I get another one - no way.