Re: Breeds

["superpat" <superpat@gateway.net>]

Gosh, Lif,

I will guess that you *LOVE* Arabians. You back up your preference with some of the reasons I love the breed. I think I was so fortunate to have selected Arabians as my first (and only) horses when I got into this horse thing at the age of 57, knowing nothing but that I loved horses. As all of them (7) have been foaled here or purchased green broke or unbroke, I literally learned everything from and with them. I have never, repeat *never* experienced a mean spirit from any of them, ever. The only dangerous situations I have gotten into were of my own making (1)not cinching the saddle tight enough and sliding under the horse on trail - the green broke horse just stopped and waited for me to get up and right the saddle. 2) Bailing from a frightened horse on a narrow trail when my foot caught on a downed tree and pulled me to the side and a tree was fast coming up with my head in the perfect position for an encounter. I ended up under the horse still clinging to the reins. The horse was literally dancing in place trying not to step on me. And any number of tales I could tell to make you experienced horse people cringe.

Suffice it to say that given any other choice, I will select a well bred, sound Arabian with good conformation any day of the week. They have a bad rap among those who have not worked with them. I have been told by more than one trainer that they are more sensitive and intelligent than most other breeds and thus require more of the trainer. But they also give back so much more.

Yep, Lif, can I join your club?

Pat Super (and all my Super Arabians)

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Lif Strand

To: Ridecamp

Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2000 12:13 PM

Subject: RC: Breeds

At 02:10 PM 6/13/00 -0400, T wrote:

If you are out there to just have fun, then why would you want
to have to put up with an Arab? 

Let's see.  I ride my (Arabian) stallion with a halter.  I can hop on my (Arabian) mare bareback with nothing on her head & ride her around even if no one has ridden her (literally) in 5 years.  I can & have tied my reins in a knot on a ride when I was having problems and let my (Arabian) horse bring me into the vet check when neither he nor I had ever been on that trail before.  Our whole herd (of Arabs) is voice trained & comes at a gallop from half a mile away when I yell.  I've had one old (Arab) mare walk into the house accidentally and just stand there, waiting for us to lead her out when she couldn't figure out how to leave herself because of the 4 sliding glass doors. 

On the other hand.... I almost was killed by a Fox Trotter when he dumped me then reared up & came down with front hooves aiming for my chest - narrowly missing me only because I saw him coming & rolled.  A NSH with a "secret" rearing habit almost went over backwards with me with no warning.  I'll never EVER ride a Morgan again in an endurance race - that was like riding a jackhammer with no brains.  Got a bite scar on my head from a QH.  Only time I've almost gotten lost on a trail was when I was riding a Paint.  And last but not least, I'll never turn my back on an Appy - more than one I've been around is just a tad too fast to let fly with those hind feet. 

Sure they're not all as individuals representative of their breeds but on the other hand it makes me want to ask....

What is this "putting up with" Arabs about, exactly?  Huh, huh?  Lif

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