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T O P I C R E V I E W
bernie
Posted - 22 Jun 2009 : 7:58:29 PM Hi everyone, I have been lurking for a while admiring your arabs, but decided to join, despite my horselessness, and ask a (possibly silly) question.
Are there any arabs who ARE "a novice ride"? I am a middle aged returner to riding and have been having lessons with my husband and two sons, who are all new to it, for about a year now. I have always dreamed of owning an arab, but having reached a point where I might begin to think about actually buying one I notice that they are almost all described as not suitable for a novice. Do I keep having lessons for several more years in the hope that I cease one day to be a novice? or buy a cob. It is the beauty and sweetness of arabs that I love. I have a very helpful yard owner-to-be so the management side should be okay, and the whole family would love our horse, but I would need a fairly sensible horse who goes no faster than the requested speed. Is this realistic? Any thoughts would be gratfeully received
16 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Gerri
Posted - 27 Jun 2009 : 07:23:40 AM Hi Bernie and Welcome, I bought my Arab as a foal, backed and schooled her myself........ I swore I would never ride again years before I got her and was terrified of having another accident, but my mare was so easy and accepting, she looks as if she is fired up and silly when you ride her, but she isn't she is saying to the world look at me and she is totally safe I could put a child on her back and know that it is totally safe, once we were out riding with a friend whose welsh bolted, my Arab had not long been broken and her eyes came out on storks watching my friend tearing off into the distance but not once for a second did she do anything, just continued to walk along, knowing mum was on her back. There is nothing like an arabian horse for riding, so stick to your dream, there will be one out there for you, actually several, just take your time and you will know the right one for you and when you get it, fo for your lessons on it or have the teacher come to you, that will build your confidence on YOUR dream horse, don't be put off by the non arab people, they are the same people who are shocked when they see an arab who is laid back and calm, which they all start off as!!!!!! I have had all breeds during my life and the arab is far the most predictable, safe and loving horse of them all
katherineepea
Posted - 26 Jun 2009 : 11:32:55 PM gerri mine is like yours!!!
they are out there but a lot are described as not suitable for a novice as many novices havent yet learnt about how patient you have to be with an arab.
my dream was to own an arab but i shared one first, and was glad i did as i was nowhere near ready to have one of myh own! a year later i did buy my own, and still see my old share mare- we went for a ride with her this evening actually
i think if you can find a share or loan that would be the best idea to start off with
abcoboy
Posted - 26 Jun 2009 : 12:54:09 PM Hi Bernie
I've had my purebred since she was 3 and backed her myself. One day she can be like a big slow moving cow where you have to literally get her moving - the next day she's like she's a baby again and petrified of everything! Like us, has 'good' days and'naughty' days - Id say go for your dream - you only live once!!! Why not try loaning one with a view to buy?
bernie
Posted - 25 Jun 2009 : 8:53:41 PM Thanks everyone for your comments. As I think Roseanne pointed out it would be a shame to abandon the 30 year old dream now that I could finally afford it, in terms of time and finances. Clearly my arab is out there!
alix liddle what a generous offer. Alas I am in Worcestershire, but thank you, and I love the extra big eyes for spotting spooky things
alix liddle
Posted - 25 Jun 2009 : 8:13:33 PM bernie keep looking and don't give up. Mine is fairly safe except she spooks at things but I think the big arab eyes see more monsters in the bushes!! if you are anywhere near South Herts/North London, come and have a go on her and see what you think.
Pop
Posted - 23 Jun 2009 : 09:16:47 AM I have a PBA who is absolutely the most safe pony I have ever known, if her rider is a novice she goes so carefully, if asked to blast up a field she puts her heart and soul in it and tries to win, she never bucks, rears, spooks, naps. I even "fell asleep at the wheel" on her once and she was an angel. She is also very pretty indeed. I cannot find a rider for her (apart form a little 6yr old I lead rein out every now and then), how strange is that. I also have a cob, who is not for the faint hearted. Its almost like they have swapped bodies :).
Personally, and I generalise, if I was looking for safe and had a choice between Arabs and Section D's, I would go for the Arabs :)
precious
Posted - 23 Jun 2009 : 09:12:31 AM Hi bernie, i agree with the others, there is arabs out there for you but take your time and go off word of mouth or a known arab person so you can trust what they are saying about the horse.
Good luck and welcome to AL
deebee
Posted - 23 Jun 2009 : 08:47:13 AM Hi Bernie, welcome; I'm quite new here too!
I have seen many arabs that are very well behaved; my own pba is wonderful - although after a very bad start and after lots of 'Natural Horsemanship' training. I work with 'problem' horses (for that you can read 'problem owners'!) and have known more cobs that are definitely not novice rides than anything else!
You need to be really careful whatever you look for; so yes, look for a good arab! In the meantime get as much information and experience as you can. Good luck!
LYNDILOU
Posted - 23 Jun 2009 : 08:06:59 AM Hi Bernie, I believe that all arabs have the ability to be safe, its understanding what makes them tick that is the key. they, above all other breeds have a keen sense self preservation, call it what you like, but they may see danger where there is none to you and me !you know, the things that lurk in the bushes waiting to jump out. the truth is although they have been domesticated for thousands of years they still have that in built instinct. stronger than ordinary horses, but they are also highly intelligent if you equate their intelligence as a horse and not as a person! they are very people freindly and want to please you, so understanding that you are half way there. there is no such thing as a bad arab, only bad management and treatment from birth to the horse standing in front of you. if they have been well schooled and well treated I believe you will have a friend for life. please do find an arab and dont settle for less , you wont be disappionted
heatherr
Posted - 22 Jun 2009 : 11:25:50 PM Hi Bernie and welcome Not a silly question at all. It's not the breed, it's what has been done with them in terms of training and bringing on. There are people out there doing it right and producing some lovely ridden horses. There are pleny of cobs out there that are not novice rides so stick with your dream, keep looking and you will find the one for you.
bernie
Posted - 22 Jun 2009 : 10:59:46 PM Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I feel inspired to keep aiming for a purebred.
Roseanne as to timescales, the right horse I could buy tomorrow, but of course the longer it takes then the greater will be my own confidence as a rider, although I think safety will always be the priority. I imagine that i will only ever own one horse, so I can take my time.
thanks again
Roseanne
Posted - 22 Jun 2009 : 9:27:44 PM Hi Bernie and welcome.
I was a middle aged returner with four children so needed to stay safe, but also didn't want the 'native' my mother thought would be safest for me; I wanted a purebred. After all, if you can't do these things when young, why shouldn't you chase your dreams when you have done your duty and earned your relaxation/interest/sport?
I bought an Old English Arab, bred for good temperament and to be ridden. She was fabulous, you could do anything on her, she had lovely paces and was very comfortable and rode like a horse much bigger than her 14.3hh. My sister and two friends had lessons on her and I ended up swapping her with a male friend who wanted a quiet Arab to learn on - as I had moved on to bigger ambitions in showing.
I do think they are scarce, but there are Arabs out there who are loads safer than many cobs and natives I've come into contact with. It's finding them that will be the tricky thing. My advice is to take someone who 'knows' with you. It's only too easy to be palmed off with the wrong horse by someone desperate to sell. A friend of mine has been looking for a while and has had many totally unsuitable horses put in front of her. It is sometimes a minefield out there in horse sales - but not just in Arabs - all over!!
Do you have a timescale??
Annette
Posted - 22 Jun 2009 : 9:19:15 PM Yes, they are definitely out there! I had one for 25years and I would have trusted him with a baby. He was responsive, sane, sensible and happy to do whatever was asked of him. Unlike some horses who are described as suitable for a novice, he would give you a decent ride whatever your level of experience. Your biggest problem will be trying to persuade people to part with these "arab saints". I never let mine get away, he was priceless
I also bought one from a sale last year, who has proved to be an absolute gent in all ways, looks very fiery when ridden but is totally safe with any rider.
Welcome to AL Bernie! Keep looking for that Arab-he IS out there somewhere!
Annette
timeaftertime
Posted - 22 Jun 2009 : 9:12:20 PM Hi Bernie,welcome. I had a beautiful arab many years ago that was anyones ride,he never ever put a foot wrong,he seemed to know what experience different riders had and would just be so good,although this was a long time ago im sure there is the right arab out there for you good luck in your search.
kimzi
Posted - 22 Jun 2009 : 8:49:42 PM They are out there, i had a loveley mare for a number of years that was anybody's ride, she was crabbet/polish breeding. Sometimes the owners are more sensitive than the horses though lol.
Arachnid
Posted - 22 Jun 2009 : 8:12:19 PM Hi Bernie One of my friends and fellow posters has been looking for AGES (but with different criteria) and we have come across a couple that could be described as novice rides. They are in the minority though. The trouble is finding one that has actually DONE anything at all. People tend to hold on to their nicely schooled, been everywhere arab horses. There are plenty of unbacked youngsters around or 10 year old lawn ornaments (some of those I guess are POTENTIALLY novice rides but not sure I would take the chance)The ones that have a bit of ridden experience get sold really quickly. There are always one or two nice ridden horses on the sale pages here if you are prepared to travel to see them. Julia (45 1/4, so I know exactly where you are coming from..)
so stick with your dream, keep looking and you will find the one for you.