February 24, 2010

Wondering...where do you find Arabs with legs this long?



I've seen some of the tallest arabians at endurance rides. When I think about how small arabs were 20 years ago....14 hands was about the norm then in my experience. Where are these tall leggy horses coming from? Is it the polish influence? Whatever it is my little Phebes didn't get any of it.

12 comments:

  1. I'd be so thrilled to have a short horse again...alas, the horse that God sent is a tall one with really long legs!

    Sigh.

    If I could share her tallness with you and Phebes, I would.

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  2. I think of it not as TALL but as stride length. The longer stride means less strides to cover the same distance, hence a more efficient gait. My little Phebes is a tiny peanut compared to the horses that are powering into top ten placements. I see some very big arabs at endurance rides!

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  3. It's the Racing Arab influence. Bred to be taller with longer stride, now having a career after racing in Endurance.

    Michelle

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  4. You should check out Fugly. The post about the Arabian Stallion Scapa at Scottsdale who attacked his handler in a halter class. Tons of commnents about arabians.
    http://www.fuglyblog.com/ Pretty...Dangerous

    Michelle

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  5. But the flip side is those longer legs act like longer levers and will place an additional strain on some of their joints.
    And gosh what a pain it can be to climb up on some of them when their withers are head high.
    Give me a 14.2 stocky CMK Arab any time for a trail horse.

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  6. Chunky CMK is pretty much what I have! At least her mama was and she was a wonderful horse.

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  7. They must have some of them genetics in Oz as well - my "little" Arab X is still growing at 4 and a bit and is now 15.3.. I resolved long ago not to get on horses I can't see over the back of, but that may have to go out the window now!
    Anna from Oz

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  8. On the topic of "dangerous arabians" I really feel that handling is the issue. The arabian horse in my experience (limited to having owned 4 purebreds, one a stallion, and 2 half-arabs) is that the arabian horse is a more sensitive, thinking , flight or fight animal. It is the flight or fight that gets people into trouble.

    Phebes could easily have tipped over into one of "those" horses. She can still be edgy, and I really don't like other people to handle her because she can get hot all of a sudden. I'm not afraid of her (except on the road where vehicles are doing things beyond my control).

    On the other hand, horses trained for the halter classes and shows are not a good overall classification of what the arabian horse is. The two purebreds that I owned and road had great minds, even the stallion. He was docile and loving on the ground, sweet with my kids, and babysitter for the colt that was in the pasture. So any kind of blanket statement about crazy arabs is really stupidity. The best thing for an energetic horse is a JOB. Being kept up in a stall, fed high sugar feeds, not enough work to occupy the mind and outlet energy is just a recipe for disaster. Add to that the hormones of a breeding stallion or moody mare syndrome....ack!

    I love arabian horses. They exude something very special, and if you bond with one it is a magical gift.

    JMO

    ~E.G.

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  9. Having spent most of my childhood and early adult years riding, showing and training Thoroughbreds an Warmbloods, I would choose my little 14/2 hand tough as nails Barb anyday. Theyare easy to get on and off, they have sufficient bone and hoof size to support their body since it hasn't been bred out of the them , and they don't eat much!! My vet used to have my c.c. on file when I had Thoroughbreds and I nearly went broke dealing with all their issues. I am a small horse fan!! Wouldn't go back to the larger breeds.

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  10. I'm guessing this picture was of Val? Where was this ride?

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  11. I took it at Nationals 2009 Clark State Forest, Henryville, IN.

    And yes, that is Valerie.

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  12. My personal opinion (and yes, I know no one asked...) is that the tall, long legged arabs are not doing the breed any favors, especially when it comes to endurance. Give me a hrose with nice short cannons anytime.

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