Does anyone stay away from arabian horses becuase of there temperment?

Question

I own 2 arabians. When I went to an open show I was told i was stupid for buying such spooky horses. My horses rarely ever spook. All horses spook. I wanted to know how others felt.

Answer 1

I have one arab 7 years old and a black and white paint w/ blue eyes. I was told the samething for buying both but I love em both. All horses get spooked but both mine are very good. I just think people dont spend enought time with them.

Answer 2

When I was a beginner my first horse was an Arabian. Where I am from everybody is prejudice towards Arabians. But I have never once seen an Arabian spook that didn't have a good reason too. And there were other types of breeds with those Arabians that spooked worse off. It really depends on the environment the horse was raised in, who is riding, how good of a rider they are, and what they are spooking at, and what is going on around them. Every breed has their bad horses and their good horses. There is no perfect breed. Arabian horses are extremely sensitive I will say that but that is only because when they were bred and raised in the Saudi Arabia they were only dependent on human beings. They make wonderful horses but once again that is only my opinion over others.

Answer 3

Arabians do tend to spook. And when they spook, they tend to jump 30 feet in the air and spin around before they stop and think. They are just generally very reactive.... jump backwards, think later.

They're a great breed for endurance but may not be the best for beginners.

It's true all horses "spook". People can spook if you sneak up on them. The difference between an Arabian spook and a calm horse like a draft is that the arabian will just jump& run first. I ride drafts and their idea of a spook is to pause and turn to look at the scary thing. My drafts will not spook so bad they stop listening to me, run off with me, or take off for the barn.

Arabs are great, durable, long living horses. They're just not the perfect horse for every rider out there

Answer 4

No not at all, I love Arabians and I owned one for a long time and to be honest with you I think no breed is really worse off than the other, I think in the end how you treat the animal and how you act around the animal affects the behaviour depending on how much the animal trusts you. I believe certain breeds do have some traits that are easier to bring out than say another breed.

To be honest if I ever buy another horse some time I usually only look for an Arabian or an Arabian cross breed I find Arabian horses to be more personable and very bright.

Answer 5

Arabians and Thoroughbreds are the only true "hot blooded" horses- they are referred to as such because they are more easily ruffled that all other breeds and require a LOT more care and personal time as well as work. If you have a quarter horse and ride him once every 6 months, chances are good that he will be a bit out of shape but will behave beautifully. However, take an arab the same sex, age , discipline, etc. and try to get on after 6 months off and he is likely to act up. This isn't because he is a horrible horse it is because, by nature, he is a desert horse that has been bred for very demanding work and has been therefore equipped with the endurance, energy, stamina needed for such and when he is stuck in a stall or stuck in afield not putting that energy to good use, it builds up. I agree that Arabs are not right for most people but they are the BEST for the right person. I have 2 myself and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Answer 6

Only people who listen to misinformation. Buying or avoiding buying based on breed is bad.
True story - several years ago I was riding with a saddle club in a parade. After MUCH good natured ribbing about being on a TB and how they'd have to allow for the spooky TBs (me and another gal) - we were riding around and came around a corner just as a bagpipe band started warming up. Our horses heard whoa and STOPPED - the rest of the club (quarter horses mostly) were freaking out, trying to spin and run, jumping, spooking etc.

Arabians can be really good horses if they're trained. I've known one who wasn't too bright (double Bask) but have been around some really awesome Arabians. A good horse is a good horse.
I know plenty of mean quarter horses that spook at everything too. ;-)

Answer 7

Arabians, like Thoroughbreds, are hot blooded horses. This means they tend towards a more sensitive, energetic personality. This does not in any way make them bad horses, or spooky by design. Spookiness is a sign of insecurity, or possibly eyesight issues (although there are those to whom it is a game). An Arabian may be more sensitive to stimulus and will require a quieter type of rider. However that also means they will be more sensitive to your aids, learn things more quickly, be clever in difficult situations, etc. You also may find that you have to pedal a lot less to make them go. So when your well-behaved smart horses are doing just fine at the next open show, you can give your response while the other guy is catching his breath.

Answer 8

I love the fire of the arabians and no they don't spook anymore than any other horse it is all in how they are treated and how you educate them. all horses can be spooky about things it all hinges on how you deadl with showing them that what they are afraid of won't hurt them. I owned two Quarter horses and they are supposed to be known for their unflappable nature. One was extremely good with most new things the other was at times scared of her own shadow because she came from an abusive home. It took me along time to get her to a point where she was safe to ride outside the arena. All horses have an in built flight instinct and it is hard to know how even the most sensible horse will react to new situations and surroundings. So go on your own experience if you have no trouble handling your Arabs don't worry about what someone else says.

Answer 9

Shoot as you said, all horses spook. If your going to be afraid of a specific breed of horse because you think it's highly spooky you shouldn't go to shows where those breeds may be. I say the people who think you stupid are the ones who are fools. Maybe they are jealous because your horses are beautiful examples of fine Arabian breeding, who knows. I myself would say that if any horse could be truly spooky it would be the Mustang and they make the best darn saddle horse ever if broken in correctly. By that I mean broken gently so as not to loose that wonderful free spirit of theirs. I know an officer who works one of the smaller strip center type malls in the Woodlands ( Texas ) who owns a FINE Mustang that he himself gentle broke. Not only is he not spooky of cars, loud noises etc. he's even great around kids who want to pet him. Now that's a HORSE in my opinion.
So just look them square in the eye and tell them they must not really know Arabians that well to think they are so spooky and walk off.

Me I love animals doesn't matter what kind etc. ( well I don't much like spiders, roaches, ants or poisonous snakes *lol* yep I'll even tolerate the occasional rat or mouse Provided it's a pet one *LOL* ). I was never around horses much growing up and even now I still don't get that chance much, however I can proudly say that I showed up my ex-husband one day in front of his now ex-girlfriend when he wanted my current husband to hold the young and feisty stallion his girlfriend owned and he rode. The horse would dance around, fidget, tug etc when my ex would hold him by the lead, I walked over, took the lead and not only did he settle down but let me pet his nose, neck and even blow gently in his nose. Talk about a not so happy ex *lol* The GF was impressed and after that we became quick friends. To me, if you know how to act around a supposedly spooky horse it won't be spooky no matter what. Talk softly to it at all times, pet the side of it's neck or it's nose if it seems jittery etc. It's what I would do and have done. For some reasons, horses just like me and seem to trust me; even the most ornery ones. *lol* Hummm horse whisper am I? No way just an animal lover who knows how to act around animals be they wild or tame. (proof in the fact we are caring for a wild cottontail till she's old enough, strong enough, fast enough and has wilded out more so she can be released back into the wild.)

Anyway that's how I feel. I think Arabians are the most beautiful horses around a full blood Arabian has such a flair about him or her. Pride, grace and an almost liquid flow in the way they move and perform. Like a dance of sorts. Just beautiful animals. They are one of two breeds that had I the money and the 7 acres we owned fenced in with a proper stall I would own, the other being a TRUE Mustang. Both are such majestic animals in their own way.

Sorry for the ramble *lol*

Answer 10

I don't agree with whoever told you that. I have been around all kinds of horses and I found no difference in Arabians than any other. IF anything, they were more hyper than others and that is due to the stamina they need to get along in the hot climates they come from. Otherwise they are majestic, loving animals that you can ride forever and look beautiful always. Tell those people they are jealous because they can't have them and you can. And give them a raspberry for me too!! Good luck!!