Teddy
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Thought I might run off at the mouth on this one, since I like
Arab crosses. Keep in mind all my comments are MY OPINIONS based
on my experiences and should not be taken as criticizms of any
breed!!
Probably my first favorite cross is the Arab-Appy. I have onwed
a few, know a few others personally, and think it is an excellent
cross. Both breeds are very tough, and all the ones I have known
and ridden seem very surefooted and handy. Unfortunately for me
( being almost 6 ft.), I have never seen any Arab/appy crosses
over 14.3. ONe of the best horses I ever owned for a period of time
was so surefooted and light on her feet she seemed to float over
the ground, regardless of terrain. I sold her becuase she was so
small, and I dangled off her in all directions. A vast majority
of these crosses, I have found, definately have that Appy attitude!
I currently own an Arab/Walker cross. The walker DOES generally
give some nice bone and size to the Arab. My mare is 15.2, with
as much "endurance", and recoveries as my Arab. I read once that
Smokey Killens horse, Bandit, one of the all time high mileage
horses was an Arab/TWH cross. Anyone know for sure? My mare is
put together pretty well, a little toed out in back. She did get
the size of the walker head, straight profile, but wide between
the eyes. Disposition is generally calm, but she wiggs out
occasionally for unknown reasons. She had a checkered background,
though, so that may account for some of it. She is definately
a big horse, though, and with some extra weight would not look too
strange pulling a plow! Then again, she resembles some of the big
Rushcreek Arabs I have seen.
Positives are very smooth trot and wonderful canter.
I have looked at two Arab/QH crosses to buy. One was not too bad,
and a heck of a deal. The other got some of the worst conformation
from both breeds, and was long backed and rump high. In my opinion,
you can really get into problems, as both breeds have numerous
individuals that are rump high, croup flat, or downhill backs.
For some reason, in my part of Calif you don't run into many
Anglo Arabs. I often wonder why.
We once went to look at a horse that was a Belgian/Arab cross.
It -almost- worked.
For a while I was seeing a lot of Saddlebred/Arab (NSH)
advertised, but not so many lately.
Karen
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