Is an Arabian a good beginner horse?

Question

I have a friend who is 12. She doesn't own a horse, but instead rides a purebred Arab. She is an advanced beginner but still a beginner, even if you put advanced in front of it.
The Arabian she rides (Hope) is a mare that is big headed and has bolted before. She has half reared and tried to gallop before. Hope would probably look best with an advanced rider but the girl is a beginner.
I would never but a beginner on Hope.

Do you think Arabs make good beginner horses? Why or why not?
Would you put a beginner on an Arabian like Hope?

I've not seen her ride much but I know that Hope is stubborn and likes to do things her own way.

Answer 1

Use a camel!

Answer 2

From your description, the horse does not sound like a good beginner's horse. It's not because she's an Arab, it's because she has a history of being willful (I think that is what you mean by big headed), running away and rearing. Arabs can be great beginner horses but you have to find one who's very level headed and compliant. Since Arabs tend toward a hotter temperment, finding a more steady cold blooded type, that a beginner needs, can be a more rare find. However, you just cannot beat a well schooled Arab. I've ridden many older Arabs who make fabulous schooling horses and they are some of the most outstandingly beautifully hearted horses. The ones I'm remembering were all suited to beginners. But, I wouldn't put a beginner on one with the history of the bad habits you describe. Arabs can be great schooling horses but it does not sound like this one is.

Answer 3

I wouldn't put a total beginner on an Arabian.

If the rider could easily sit a trot, post (if riding English), canter, and has been on a bucking/rearing horse, I might put them on a good Arabian (notice the word good).



The ''tried to gallop before'' part doesn't mean anything. My horse was the calmest horse you'd ever see, and he just started galloping out of the blue once when I rode him, and bucked me off. That was the only time it ever happened, and he was still a good beginners horse.



What I would worry most about is the bolting and rearing. The horse needs some more training before any beginner should be allowed on it.

Answer 4

No, Arabs are usually not a good beginner horse. ESPECIALLY a young one. Any young horse is not a good match for a beginner rider, never mind the fact that it's an Arab. Arabs are ususally high spirited and hot, and often get spooked easily, as you said this one does. I know that feeling that you really like a horse that's too advanced for you, and even though you said that she has a bond with that horse. But it is very dangerous for her to be riding a horse like this, I personally think it's best for her safety and the horse's that she ride an older, more schooled horse. Not necessarily one that goes around like a robot as someone said, but just one that's calm enough that doesn't take off so that she can learn to ride properly before attempting to ride a horse like this one.

Answer 5

Arabians are sometimes considered "hot headed" or "high spirited". Just like pit-bulls are considered "aggressive". Both of these statements are untrue. (I own both!)



Arabian horses are known for there grace and movement. Their actions and temper has everything to do on how you raise them. Any horse could be considered a "good beginners horse" if it has been trained the right way and has had a lot of human contact.



In my opinion, putting an advanced beginner - like your friend - on a horse who has been known to get fidgety or "test" riders is the best way for them to learn! She's not going to learn how to handle a horse who tests your skills on a bomb-proof Shetland pony!



I'm not saying I would put ANY beginner on an unsafe horse. But if your friend has the ability to handle Hope when she's at her worst then I don't see why you're worrying about her.



Rider's have accidents. My dad always used to say "You ain't a real cowgirl till ya hit the dirt!" and it's true! You can't be around horses and not fall off or have accidents. Even the best horses are known to 'test' riders.



You can't stereotype an entire breed on what you've seen one horse do.

Answer 6

I wouldn't put someone who isn't very advanced on an arab, they tend to be a bit hot and always rearing to go. And I definitely wouldn't put a beginner on Hope, she sounds like she could use a more advanced rider that could control her better. And by putting a beginner on her she learns bad habits because she can get away with things more easily. I know this because the horse I have was probably (don't really know his history) green broke and had unskilled riders on him, making him terribly spoiled.



A good beginner horse in my opinion is a Quarter Horse. They usually have an even temperament (though all horses are different) but still can go with the best of them. And most older quarter horses are pretty bomb proof if they've been trained right.

Answer 7

One of my best school horses is an arabian. He has been very well trained and is very dependable. He loves to work with little kids and have a job, doesn't spook easily, and is very mild tempered.



I wouldn't use a horse like what you describe as a lesson horse at all. I think that the energy and high strungness people usually talk about and use to condemn arabs is more a management and training problem than a problem with the breed itself. These horses have a very good memory and are easily trained, whether correctly or incorrectly.

Answer 8

I have an Arab but would only let a very select few ride her. Seems they do have a thing for spooking at stuff, I really think is a game they play more than anything. They need a more experienced rider usually. I have seen very few good for kids or beginners. They also tend to be stubborn.

Answer 9

Well whatever you do, don't listen to "Fragile Jem 07"... it's more about the individual horse than any particular breed. Of course some breeds are known to be calmer than others. But arabians generally are amazing horses with great personality's. Yes, Arabians make great first horses! But with any breed a first horse should be mature and well trained enough for a beginner. One of the best horses I ever owned was an Arabian and I had several beginners ride him and they did just fine. I have known lots of Arab lesson horses... it's not about the breed, it's about the horse so don't listen to ignorant stereo types :-)



Fragile Jem 07 - You are a dumb *ss... what an ignorant stereo type...

Answer 10

It depends on the Arabian.

I rode a Arabian/QH, and he was sometimes hard to handle because he was still green, but he was very sweet and wouldnt hurt a fly. He definitly needed a more experienced rider though, a beginner got on him once and she fell off just when he was walking.



Arabs are usually more energetic and harder to handle, but some are calmer and dont as bad. But in general I think arabs are better for more advanced riders, that can handle a sometimes unpredictable horse.



And I dont think I would put a beginner on Hope, she sounds like a handful.

Answer 11

I wouldn't put a beginner on Hope judging by her description but I wouldn't stereotype a breed either. A lot of arabs tend to be more energetic and high strung but not all. I've seen plenty of arabs that should never be ridden by a beginner and a few who make perfect beginner horses. It should always be judged on the individual horse and not breed or gender.

Answer 12

Arabs in general aren't crazy, but often more sensitive than your average, seeing as they pysically do have thinner skin. They often have a higher than average IQ as well, so they will remember any bad experience and will be less likely to forgive and forget.

Generally, Arabs aren't horses for beginners. This isn't because they are nutters and love to chuck people off, as is the common stereotype, but simply because they are more easily uspet by the mistakes beginners make.

I personally would think very carefully before putting a novice rider on any of my Arabs. By no means are they the strongest, stubbornest or quirkiest horses on the yard, but I don't think they would forgive me easily if I allowed someone to ride them who upset them.



It doesn't sound in your question like this is your horse, if your friend wants to ride her and the owner is happy, leave them to it. If she starts to drop off, I'm sure she will swallow her pride and give up riding the 'fairytale' horse with the long mane and tail for something she can stop on and start learning on.

Answer 13

Im not saying every arabian is like this, But this horse sounds VERY high spirited. If shes a beginner and the horse bolts and trys to gallop, and she falls off, and she hurts herself badly, that could REALLY Destroy her confidence. I, personally, Would try it with a more Quieter horse. But, if she feels safe on her, Let her ride the horse. But, I find, It might be best if you try a diffrent horse.



Hope i helped. :) xx

Answer 14

its frustrating when people stereotype horses based on their breed... im not saying that arabians are known for being calm, but there are arabians out there that are... hope in particular sounds like too much of a horse for your friend... but ive known of plenty of arabians that all they did was teach beginners...

The first horse i rode was an arabian, she was sooooo stubborn, she never was spooky, but she did put up a fight at times when she didnt feel like doing what you were asking her to. i found that i learned sooo much and progressed a lot when i didnt ride the old slow pony that did things automaticly without you asking... BUT on this arabian in particular, i was SAFE she wouldnt run/ buck...

BUT then again you can find any one horse in any breed that is misbehaving, and spooky... so no one should judge the horse based on the breed.

Answer 15

It depends on how the horse has been handled! I have a feeling that people who ride arabs expect them to be hot headed and flighty, and thereby ride them and handle them as if they are delicate and nervous and they will respond accordingly!



I have taught many people on Arabs who have been quiet and responsive and I have ridden them too. Most, if ridden quietly and confidently will be just as quiet as the next horse, Dobbin!

Answer 16

Not typically. Many Arabs are too hot and sensitive for a beginner to handle well. There are always exceptions.

Answer 17

In my opinion she will either learn to ride and handler her well or she will have to give up. If she keeps trying she may become a better rider if she stays with her and learns to handle and work her well.



I contend that folks can't learn to ride well on a dead head that goes around like a robot.

Answer 18

not to be rude but it sounds to me like its really not your business what horse your friend is learning to ride on. if she is safe and the owner/ trainer are fine with it then just don't worry about it. I'm 17 and girls at my barn that are around your age always bicker and argue about each other's skill level, the horses that they ride, how high they jump, etc. just worry about your own riding and don't try to convince her that she shouldn't be riding the arabian. her trainer, the owner, and the rider can make that decision for themselves. sorry for the rant but i just deal with this all the time!

Answer 19

It depends on the horse I know a 24 year old who still bolts and is very hyper but I also know a 13 year old who is completely bombproof.

Answer 20

My 8 yr old has an arabian. The horse was not ridden for 4 yrs and it took a good year to get her calm in the ring. I believe it was lake of time riding her. She is a bit spooked easy but a very sweet girl. We did have a problem with her going in heat. The arabian was a brood mare for 3 years.My daughter was a not a avanced rider. She has fallen off a few times but she has fallen off the smaller schooling horses at the barn as well. My daughter has become a better rider with this horse she has to pay attention and learn the horses moods and become a team. She has learned at shows you wont always win the blue ribbon. She loves her horse, she has never reared or bucked but can be stubborn on days ,but so can my daugter.

Answer 21

well i have 3 horses and will never own a arab the are vary high strong and need a vary good rider.

I would not put a beginner on her just because of the things she has done.

Answer 22

Usually no. Many of them are too hot for beginners.



There will always be exceptions but as a general rule, no.

Answer 23

I learnt to ride on an arabian.. but it was not a good idea, he was too strong and highly strung.

Answer 24

Yeah that's how Arabian horses are like. They're stubborn and aggressive. You should pick them if you want to gallop, be swift and stuff like that. If you want a calm horse, choose English or German. If she's twelve she might as well start with a Haflinger. ;) Choose mine



- JEM