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<< While I agree with the bulk of your post, I would not naturally
assume that a racing ARab would necessarly be a good distance
prospect, based on visiting a barn full of racing Arabs several
years ago. I was very surprised to see that consistently, these
horses had what I considered very "bad" conformation-in that their
croups were several inches higher than their withers-giving them a
very downhill back. It was explained to me that, like some quarter
horses, this is good conformation for a sprinter. But certainly not
ideal for a riding animal (pleasure) or distance prospect. Any
opinions on this? >>
Dear Karen, I agree completely--just because a horse is from racing lines
does not necessarily mean he's make a good distance prospect. At the track I
saw a huge variety of conformational types, including the "downhill built
sprinters" you mention. In fact, due to the short distance of most Arab flat
races, this sort of build is favored--which is a shame, since Arabs are
distance horses!! My David, who is built more like a distance horse (i.e.
long legs, short back, somewhat slab-sided rather than barrel shaped, chest
narrow but deep from top to bottom, a level rather than downhill or uphill
body balance, good bone substance, good bone alignment--etc. etc.) was at a
distinct disadvantage on the racetrack--the LONGEST race he was ever in was
only 6 furlongs!!! This was a typical distance for the Arab races at
Mt.Pleasant Meadows, where he raced. David doesn't even get really rolling
until he's run at least a half-mile---he's an Arab, he can gallop all day!
Six furlongs indeed!
There is a legitimate controversy in the Arab racing world as to whether or
not the short distances of the races will favor the sprinting bloodlines,
which would then come to predominate. This has already happened to the
modern thoroughbred--most of whom are built behind more like quarter horses
than what the old time thoroughbred used to be. Remember, the Kentucky Derby
started out as a futurity--a short race designed as "practice" for beginning
horses! The "classic" race distance in old England when the TB was being
developed was 5 miles--with longer races not uncommon. Now, the Belmont
stakes is considered a "long" race--at a mile and a half. (Also, in old
England, no racehorse was raced before 5 years of age. Now they are breaking
'em at 18 months, and a racehorse of 5 is considered "old". The favorite
horse for the Derby, whose name escapes me, didn't race--snapped a cannon in
an earlier race.)
All this said, I do believe that arab racing is new enough in this country
that many of the racing lines are not very far removed from the European arab
racing lines---particularly the Polish and Russian strains do seem to be
producing athletic horses. Why this is so I don't know--my guess is that the
Europeans are more meticulous breeders, who arn't afraid to cull a
"beautiful" horse if he isn't producing athletic ability along with those
good looks----
The bottom line is one still has to look at the HORSE. Blood will tell, I
believe that, but (just as everyone else has been saying) blood is not the
whole story. (The racing legend John Henry came from nobody parents--AND he
had several glaring conformational faults, but he had the desire, along with
good management . . .)
Trish & "pretty David" (who says, "six furlongs really was far enough Mom . .
. .")
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