ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: [endurance] Polish Arabs

Re: [endurance] Polish Arabs

Joyce Kellenberger (joyce@homer.ca.boeing.com)
Fri, 21 Jun 96 14:29:03 PDT

>
> Which particular Polish bloodlines have the war spirit? I always
> thought the Kuhailan Arab was the calmest, least spooky. But they are
> the stoutest, as you describe, for war. Can a horse still exhibit
> those qualities you describe (intimidating the enemy, etc.) and still
> be essentially nonspooky? My 5/8s Polish mare (*Sambor daughter x
> Nitez daughter) is fiery -- a war mare -- but she's also the least
> spooky Arab I have ever owned/ridden (she still throws in a quality
> move now and then to keep me on my toes!) And there's a difference
> between a spooking with brains and spooking with no sense of
> self-preservation. Not all spooks are created equal: Equus once did an
> article on the four types of shies.
> Thanks for your comments.
> Bobbie Lieberman
>
Again, I need to find time to do my homework, however, there is something I
missed on my previous comments and that is I truly believe that the owner/
rider's attitude and/or demeanor has a lot to do with our horses attitudes.
My very spooky Egyptian mare is calm and serious as long as I'm on her. On
the ground, in the pasture, and left to her own devices, she does the dumbest
things I've ever seen. Yet she is a sensible trail horse that never refuses
me on any obstacle regardless of how frightened she may initially be. So let's
qualify all this and perhaps it would be fair to say that some of the attitudes
are due to breeding and some to handling. I still maintain, however, that the
stronger the bloodlines, the more you will have to work at achieving the effect
you desire. I'm thoroughly enjoying the discussions on this subject. One
last item: Homer Davenport was responsible for at least three books that I know
of. If anyone has other good reading along these lines (pun intended), I'd
really like to know. Thanks for sharing. Joyce Kellenberger