WHY CHOOSE AN ARABIAN AND HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR HORSE

If you are shopping for your first horse and have always yearned for an Arabian, chances are you have people telling you to choose another breed because Arabians are too hot or too small or just plain crazy. The truth is, these are misperceptions spread by people who simply do not know Arabian horses.  The Arabian horse is extremely intelligent, sensitive and loving.  For milennia they were raised in their bedoiun master's tents as part of the family.  Their love and dedication to their owners is unlike that of any other breed. They were originally bred as war horses.  The Bedouin rode their mares into battle.  The horses not only carried their masters fearlessly into battle, they fought for their masters with teeth and striking hooves.  If her master fell in battle, his loyal mare would stand over his body and protect him.  The intelligence and sensitivity of Arabian horses, however, do make them a poor choice for abusive people who take their tempers out on people and animals around them.

Is the Arabian horse too small for you?  Arabian horses come in sizes from fourteen hands to over sixteen hands tall. They have a higher bone density than other breeds and a back that is a vertabrae shorter.  The result of this is tremendous strength.  An Arabian can carry more weight per pound than any other breed. His large heart girth gives him unparallelled endurance for distance riding. The grace and beauty of the Arabian horse makes him look delicate, like a work of art, but this horse was bred for thousands of years to perform and his versatility makes the Arabian horse a good horse for dozens of uses, from family pet to endurance riding, to cattle work, to racing, to eventing. Shop well, choose the horse that is right for the activity you want to pursue, and you will have a mount unequalled by any other.

CONFORMATION, QUALITY AND PRICE - How to choose

Like anything, Arabian horses have a wide range of quality, conformation and price.  Price is not necesarily a reflection of quality, but is often an indicator.  It can also be an indicator that the seller is in a situation that requires him to find a new home for the horse.  How do you decide what to choose.  Below are some guidelines:

Price:   You can purchase purebred Arabian horses over a price range of a few hundred dollars to a few hundred thousand dollars.  How do you decide where to look and what to look for and how much to pay?  Start with what you want to use the horse for.

If you want a friend, a horse for casual riding and competing in performance classes at local shows, you do not need a top of the line, high dollar horse.  You can accept a few conformation flaws if you have a horse with a good mind and willing temperament. Such horses are often had for under $1000, and can be wonderful friends and life companions. Chances are they won't win at the big shows, but so what?  Every horse doesn't need to be a champion but every horse does need a loving owner to give him a home and someone to share his life with.

If you want to compete in the big shows, go into jumping, dressage, endurance, reining or cutting, you will need a horse with excellent legs and the conformation for that particular sport (See the CONFORMATION section). At this level, you will probably have to pay more, especially if the horse is already trained in the discipline of interest. The price will depend upon level of training and accomplishment as well as the horse's age and present physical condition.  It may be more fun to buy an untrained or greenbroke horse and work with a trainer to train the horse yourself. Realistically look for prices between $3500 for a horse not yet started under saddle and $50,000 for a horse with wins at National level competition.

Breeding stock should be excellent.  If you have a mare and are thinking of breeding her, look at her physical and mental traits carefully and decide whether  you want two horses like her or whether you want your second horse to be better.  You usually cannot breed a mare with poor conformation or temperament to a top stallion and get a top foal. The mare contributes half the DNA and all of the foal's social skills.  If you want to breed, accept only excellent stock of excellent pedigree and the physical type you want to produce.  Much study and many questions asked before the purchase of breeding stock will save you a lot of time and a lot of money.

So, you know what you want, what's next?  Start with local ads.  If you have a chance to meet the horse you will be able to evaluate its conformation and personality and determine whether or not it a horse you will want to live with and enjoy. You can also purchase a horse at a distance, via magazine or internet ads.  There are many, many honest and reputable breeders around the country who will be happy to help you, to refer you to some else if they do have what you need. Feel free to ask for references from clients. If you are buying from afar ask many questions about the horse, the breeder and breeding goals.  Ask for a video. Look for clean shots of the horse's legs from the front, as well as it's movement. You will want to see the horse standing and/or walking from all angles as well as trotting and perhaps cantering.   If the horse is being sold as trained under saddle, you will want to see video of the horse performing under saddle.  If the shots you need to evaluate the horse are not on the video but you find the horse interesting, ask for more video.  Tell the seller what you want.  Ask for a copy of the horse's registration papers or check with the Registry to be sure that the seller has the papers.  If you are buying the horse on terms, read the contract carefully.  Be certain that the terms are agreeable and that the contract clearly states that the signed registration papers will be sent to you within thirty days of the last payment. Never buy a horse with the promise that someone, somewhere will someday sign the papers and you will be able to register the horse later unless you are willing to pay the agreed to price for an unregistered horse. Too many people have fallen victim to unfullfilled promises of papers to come someday.  When you get the horse and the registration papers, be sure to send the papers in to the Registry with the transfer fee promptly.  If you need assistance, visit or the Registry website at www.arabianhorseamerica.com or telephone them for assistance.  They will be happy to help.  Good luck and enjoy that new Arabian!