| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| brychens mum |
Posted - 05 Jun 2009 : 12:52:21 PM
I used to be very interested in Arabs years ago, was fascinated by pedigrees and always said I would buy one as soon as I coul;d get a horse. Due to various reasons I actually ended up with an un reg Welsh Cob who is now 19 years old and winding down to much deseved semi retirement. So I am now back to looking at Arabs!
I am hopelessly out of date with regard to the modern type and breeding - put it this way I saw Hanif strutting his stuff at his breeders the last year I had mich to do with Arabs!
So what I would like is an idea of whats current, what types are best for what activities (I plan to show,long distance and dressage a bit). What would be the best way to buy, visit breeders or from adverts?
Also mine would be kept with my old boy at a livery yard. it has good stables, great summer turnout 24/7 but just turnout into bare sacrifice paddocks in winter (heavy clay soil up in the Pennines and very very wet). it can get very cold wet and windy in winter but the stables are very dry and solid. I have some where to school and straight out onto the Pennine National bridlepath. I keep mine DIy with assistance to turnout in the morning. Would this be suitable?
sorry if the above is very basic, I ahve so many questions that I havent even thought of yet!
I aim to buy at latest next spring. Possibly earlier if a space comes up on the yard(lots of kids are of to uni etc soon so Im wiating for the vacancy to come up). I could have one on livery with breeder/show producer if needs be. I dont have a fortune to spend but can pay market rate for a good horse. |
| 16 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| brychens mum |
Posted - 08 Jun 2009 : 12:35:36 PM
thank you all, I am about to order the AHS stud guide and will descend on several studs (hopefully!). I really want to avoid doing what i did with my old boy, to wit loads of research on bloodlines etc then fall for the complete opposite to what I was looking for.
i was discussing this with my husband last night who is suspiciously keen on my buying another horse (he thinks it is cheaper than my alternative wish of a top of teh range 4x4..).
We have added to the wish list which started, Arab, good feet and legs the following:
One that loads without the aid of a retenue to put up ramp etc and yet will walk straight up some one elses ramp with out asking and with me sitting on top of the saddle at a show. One that loads itself so I just put up the ramp would be ideal.
One that does what its asked without debate, followed by negotiation, followed by riders agreement to horses view point being the best.
One that isnt described as nearly human and with a sense of humour as I have established that translates as 'runs rings around unwitting humans'.
You can probably guess from the above some of the 'issues ' I have had with my old lad. As my husband says (the old lads the horse by the way!), 'you will be guaranteeing a home for life for the right horse and knowing you for the wrong one as well' !!!
Im hoping that I can find something nice with enough type to show a little bit and sound enough to go for long hacks (mine are 5 hours plus sometimes). Wish me luck its all very exciting. |
| bridie |
Posted - 07 Jun 2009 : 5:23:48 PM
How exciting......when I was looking for my arab a few years ago I had set my heart on a grey mare but after travelling what seemed to be half of the country and looking at miss-discribed, unsound, bonkers, unhandled, too small, wobbly legged specimins I had given up and then I saw an ad on here for a bay gelding, my daughter drove me mad until I phoned......we drove to Wales in the worst weather ive ever driven in, torrential rain & blowing a gale.
I met some simply beautiful horses that day, the gelding I had gone to see was led out of his box and there was a blue tarpaulin blowing in the gale, like a big blue scary thing!!!.....I thought to myself "he will never walk past that" but he never blinked......
Needless to say we wanted him there and then and we were very lucky that his owners/breeders liked us enough to let us have him (they were concerned about his future security etc).
I feel lucky everyday I have him.....he is the best boy.
My advice would be to take your time and look around, there are plenty of lovely horses for sale. Let us know how its going.
Mandy  |
| Tomos |
Posted - 07 Jun 2009 : 4:00:05 PM
I'd echo most of everything already said, I would get out and about and visit as many studs as possible,it really helps to get your eye in and get to know what you like. Glad to see that you want good limbs, they can be harder to find in some lines. I visited Geoffrey Plaisters only a few weeks ago and Hanif bloodlines are certainly in abundance there along with lots of good sound limbs !
Wherabouts are you in the Pennines, I visit Blackshaw Head a couple of times a year, we could meet up for a chat if you're anywhere near.
Happy Hunting
Mandy |
| Gerri |
Posted - 07 Jun 2009 : 2:53:41 PM
I think you have had brilliant advice from everyone here..... i would just like to add that what rafabreeze has said also is so true, Good luck and let us know when you get your new horse, its so exciting!!!! |
| rafabreeze |
Posted - 07 Jun 2009 : 12:55:57 PM
My advise is look around, dont set sights on a specific type, breeding or anything like that. There are lots for sale - take your time and just be 100% sure of your choice. More than likely your arab will choose you lol Georgina xx |
| brychens mum |
Posted - 07 Jun 2009 : 12:28:35 PM
thank you all for your comments! I am really excited about all this,I have promised other half I will be 'sensible' and wait until next spring but have told yard owner as soon as an empty stable comes up it better be mine!
I plan to visit some of the local studs near here (delyth will pm you). I cant belive how few of the ones I knew years ago are still going though, ones I knew of like Brian Blake seem to have gone yonks ago.
I do love the fact that the modern show Arabs have such lovely heads but I have learned the hard way from my welsh cob to look at confirmation and the feet and legs first..He has the worlds flatest feet! |
| Cinnypony |
Posted - 05 Jun 2009 : 10:45:09 PM
My Polish/crabbet girl lives out 24/7 all year though we're further south. She's little at 14h
When you find the right one, they'll tell you!
Good luck in your search |
| Gemma |
Posted - 05 Jun 2009 : 9:02:07 PM
I'd agree with everything that has been written here. Go visiting and start to take note of what catches your eye. Forget bloodlines and look at the horse in front of you, particularly if you are looking for a ridden horse and want to do some endurance.
I've always said that I prefer Crabbets. A couple of years ago @ the Kent County Show, I didn't look at the catalogue until after I'd watched the horses in front of me. And whilst I still liked the Crabbets/OE, the other breeding that caught my eye was Russian, which surprised me. So if anyone has a chestnut filly, Crabbet x Russian, up to 4 years old for sale, I'd be VERY interested LOL!!!!
Your facilities sound great. Go for it! And enjoy the search. |
| pat ww |
Posted - 05 Jun 2009 : 7:19:28 PM
Since you were looking at hanif you will find Arabs in general are bigger. People are getting taller and selectively breeding now more for size, so 15.2 is as common as 14.2 but FUNCTIONALLY there is little difference, a 14.2 can do everything a bigger horse can, so unless you are exceptionally tall, go for the type you like.
Hanif was Old English bloodlines, now there is far more admixture with the emphasis on heads to the detriment in many cases of depth of body and legs.
Read the article on finding an endurance arab, if that is one of your goals it is the most demanding and a horse that is suitable - and not all Arabs fit the bill - for that discipline is where you should start.
these days i dont rate temperament as much as i did. unless a total idiot has owned it and spoiled it, MOST have superb temperaments, so are not hard to find.
you could be looking for a grey gelding age 5 - 9 and over 15 hands, and fall in love with a chestnut filly who will scarce make 14.2. you will know when you have seen the right one.
I am selling some and loaning some, but nothing to suit you, but as Delyth says you are more than welcome to come and get your eye back in. NOT selling a virtually straight Crabbet mare, 14.2 and not yet selling grey straight Egyptian colt already 15.2, a few more, Polish, and Russian bloodlines with a couple more (not mine) in the next door field, so some very different horses to see just what you like. Merseyside. |
| radfan |
Posted - 05 Jun 2009 : 3:44:48 PM
Welcome back to the world of Arabs. I would agree go for temperament and what feels right to you. Your facilities, and hacking sound great and you will find loads of help on here with regards to "best rug to buy, tack to use etc" They are a great breed and very loyal. Keep posted, look forward to hearing from you.
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| loosefur |
Posted - 05 Jun 2009 : 3:15:39 PM
Hello and welcome! Nice to see another Northern member.
With regards to your livery yard it sounds perfect. Where I am (Lancashire) 90% of livery yards don't have any turnout at all in winter so for your yard to have sacrifice paddocks is a bonus.
My four are a mixed bunch. My 13year is SE x Russian - racing bred. He's an advanced endurance horse but will also hopefully be doing some dressage competitions soon. He's not typy enough to show but has a fab temperament. I wouldn't worry too much about which bloodlines to go for - if you see something advertised that sounds suitable then just go and try it. You'll know when you find the right one - be it SE, Crabbet, Russian, Polish or Spanish. All of them can turn their hooves to anything. Happy horse hunting! |
| rosie |
Posted - 05 Jun 2009 : 2:59:12 PM
Welcome back to Arabs & AL.
When out horse-hunting, go with what you like, which may not necessarily be whats in fashion.
Look at a few horses before you pick 'the one'.
Make sure it has a temperament which is what you want.
Happy horse hunting.
Lisa |
| Delyth |
Posted - 05 Jun 2009 : 1:57:09 PM
Hi - I'm guessing that if you are in the Pennines you can't be far from me !! If I were you I'd be visting and getting your 'eye' in for what you like. You are more than welcome to come and visit my ever growing brood here - I don't have any for sale so its not a pitch !!!! www.peakland-arabians.com
Welcome back to Arabs |
| Roseanne |
Posted - 05 Jun 2009 : 1:51:01 PM
Sounds like you'd do a lot worse than buy an Arab with Crabbet/Old English lines if you're wanting a good, attractive all rounder. There's a great thread on Crabbets not too far down the subjects here on Discussion.
Welcome to AL. Sure you'll have many happy hours on here nattering about horses! |
| precious |
Posted - 05 Jun 2009 : 1:06:12 PM
Welcome to Al and good luck wih horse hunting x |
| NatH |
Posted - 05 Jun 2009 : 1:00:11 PM
Hi
Glad you are coming back to Arabs, welcome back!
There are lots of different 'types' and really it is down to personal preference.
If you are looking for 'useful' Arabians then check out Mrs Vlacq, who posts here. If they can't help you they may know someone who can.
When buying, always go for temperament and conformation.
If admin remove my recommendation from this post please PM me, I'd be happy to send you contact details.
Happy hunting, keep us posted and anyone here will be happy to help you. |
