Anyone here have experience with Arabians?

[High Plains]

On the draft side of things, I believe the Percheron breed includes some Arab blood way back when it was being developed, right? If that's right, then a little Arab sure didn't hurt those horses. The better ones have a much nicer head and overall look than a Belgian. I've sure seen a ton of jug-headed Percherons too, though.

HP

[Whitewing]

Just to let you guys know, we use our horses on the ranch to move cattle, not for much else.

I'd like a decent horse to ride on the place (pleasure) and one that might produce some offspring worth a few extra bucks.

We're selling bermuda in volume right now and it's going to horse owners, of course. While I'm not selling bales at the ranch, I'm delivering, I'll surely have folks in the future arriving to buy bermuda. I think having some decent horse blood on the place might be a good match with the bermuda sales.

I'm looking at Appaloosa as well.

[High Plains]

Well now you're really lost your marbles. Ha

Juuust kidding, juuust kidding.

HP

[nmhighdesert]

Whitewing, folks world wide have been breeding horses for specific uses as you know, for generations. You get what you would like, and works for you. I wouldn't suggest a warm blooded horse though, get a quiet one. That way you wont hate it later. As they need a job to be happy also.

[the_jersey_lilly_2000]

This is just my opinion....comparing an Arabian to a Quarter horse is like comparing a Border collie to a Basset Hound.

[leanin' H]

I would stick with Quarter horses for thier all around versatility. Pleasure riding, ranch work, rodeo arena, hunting, on the track, ect. While other breeds may offer one or two, few if any can match a quarter horse's wide range of talents. And they are currently doing all those things from Canada to the deep South. I personally dislike Arabians as they are very light boned and do not possess an ounce of "cow". Plus my vainity won't allow me to lower my standards!

[Kato]

Lighten up guys! Before everyone gets on their "high horse" about the Arab / Quarter Horse debate, remember that the foundation of the Quarter Horse breed included more than one dose of Arab/Barb blood, through the Spanish horses, as well as the English ones. Thoroughbred horses without exception trace their pedigrees to one of five Arab lines.

[Frisco]

My Arabian mare was the best cow horse I ever had yet to date. She was pretty great all around, smart, and good looking. In her declining years, she babysat my son while I piddled around. Guess it depends on the horse. I've been around some real brain dead quarter horses, too.

[Justin]

[Big Muddy rancher]

Interesting program the other day on the radio called the Horse Show minute. It seems the Arabs became the darling of the "Tax shelter" crowd and they mutated from hardy using horses to "Lead and Feed" horses for the show people. Us AQHA people know all about that with the halter and western pleasure set. Anyway since the elimination of that Tax shelter they have dropped in value but it is probably helping the breed come back to a more "Using" horse and the old time breeders that stuck it out are proving they were right in the first place.
The Arab vs QH debate will go on forever because we are individuals and we like what we like.

[Frisco]

[Faster horses]

I recall years ago a friend visited Texas and he went to a QH sale where the prices were okay but not outstanding. He then visited an Arabian sale where the women were dressed to the nines, complete with the white long gloves; and the men wore fancy suits. He went down to where the horses were and they had a fire extinguisher that they let off close to the horses. It causedthose Arabians eyes to really bug out and the more they drug their handler in the ring, the more money they brought. And they brought large sums...