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Thoughts on ARab size and crosses, was Re: [RC] Rios brother - SullivanThis was true of the original Arab horse, and the ideal of Arabs until....when? How come people started wanting 16 hand Arabs? I knowthereare some absolutely splendid tall Arabs, both in endurance and other disciplines, but WHY? Is bigger equated with better, as in hamburgers, cars, boats, whatever? Maybe it's because we became taller people,throughbetter health care and better nutrition. Welll......I am just under 6 ft. and could never find a tall Arab...so went to ARab crosses. I had a lovely, petite Arab/appy that was barely 14.2, that an endurance vet said I was "too tall" to ride, and that I would upset her balance. At 135 lbs (me), it was not a matter of weight. I also rode, for many years, one of those barrel-shaped little Arab mares, not even 14.1, who had terrific recoveries and would go all day. Unfortunately, she did not have good gaits, but the Arab appy was smooth as silk. A photo of me standing next to her, front view is hysterical. My legs are MUCH longer than those of the horse! But heck, when we first moved to the country, I rode for 6 months bareback on the 12.2 hand Welsh pony, who could keep up with the taller horses, and had a ball. Interestingly enough, I have yet, in my life, to ride a purebred Arab, who I felt had extremely smooth gaits.....the smoothest being the Arab/appy....then my Arab/TWH. The Anglo Arab had an extremely nice trot, and for two years, a somewhat slow, jolty walk....then she taught herself how to do a broken lateral gait. Now she just flies downhill and at the walk.... Just about to shoe and start riding the Arab/paint mare, who is turning 4 in early May. She seems to have a very smooth jog, but have not cantered her yet. Other Arab cross that was very smooth was our Arab mustang; very fast walk and smooth canter. My daugher has a purebred Arab, mostly Polish breeding, who is just lovely and balanced. She is one of those that just floats. and can't fault her conformation...and I just don't like her gaits....they are too elevated and jolty, compared to other horses I have ridden. At age 47, I am getting picky about riding a smooth horse...body can't take the jolting. Then I keep running into all these SHORT ladies with pure Arabs that are 15.3, plus, good bone. I sure could never find one! Current main mare is 15.3 Anglo Arab......still a stretch for me to get on from the ground....but that is a solid requirement, as I feel there will be times on the trail that you just can't find a stump or rock, etc. You better be able to get on and off from the ground, no matter what the height. My gut feeling is that smaller horses stay sounder....but the jury is not in on that! Karen =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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