----- Original Message -----
Hi Rhonda,
I've had Arabs for 30 plus years, and a
Paint for almost four. I can tell
you that Arabs are nearly a
different species. <g> I love them, but in
working with
different breeds, as you've found out, it takes different
strokes.
**I have a couple of thoughts here......based on
observations on horses I have owned. For years I believed that an ARab
crossed with a
"calmer" breed might be a more sensible horse. I have
bought Arab crosses, both for this reason, and also because I have found
several that were larger than the Arabs I was running into......being just
under 6 ft, I looked for taller horses. Of course, ironically, I keep
running into all these shorter women with HUGE arabs (where the heck do they
find them????)
Anyway, my current "endurance partner" is an Arab/walker
horse, that I think could comfortable compete with Trumans walker for
the
"horse from hell" designation. I have also owned a
somewhat willful Arab/morgan, Arab/appy, Arab/mustang, and the current
Arab/Tb.
With my Arab/paint filly, it may be too soon to
tell.
I have also owned 3 purebred Arabs......one just
sold.
These girls (the purebreds), by FAR, have been much more
cooperative and docile than the crosses!!! They basically and happy to
do what you want, but all three have been people horses, very sweet and
willing. It's those half ARabs that have been the
challenge!
Anyway, I am not saying the crosses are not great horses,
because I have been able to use them for my kid's and family horses, but all
the crosses I have had, have had major attitide problems to work
with!!!
Just my
experiences......Karen