Arabs all the way!!! AKANE is very correct in her thoughts.I have ridden english my entire life.I got my first arab at 18 an unbroke 3 yr old who had never been touched till I bought her.My mentor thought it was a good idea.
She is now 20.I have a 10 yr old daughter that showed her form the the time daughter was 3 till last year.She stepped up to my 1/2 arab.I spent the winter lookign EVERYWHERE for a pony for my 5 yr old son.My husband said what about Kandi?I said no way.
Daughter comes back from horse camp with 1/2 arab. Kandi is SAD that she is not in the ring.I tack her in western tack and put up 5 yr old son.After walking beside her once ,I go to middle of ring.Kandi walks just walks anywhere he wants her to.30 minutes later she comes in the middle and says she's done.Now he rides her several times a week and jogs down the hills.Kandi totally takes care of him as she did my daughter.I had forgotten how great she had been with my daughter.
I used to not admit I had arabs because around here they were NOT appreciated.Eventually i just got over it.I think again Akane is right and a lot of people can not ride them,They are sensitive.In the last few years though it seems to have changed because I no longer get the groans when I say I have arabs.
I will say this though, we have showed them and had some great ones but I NEVER paid alot for one EVER.People will sell an arab cheap because they don't seem to be very marketable.The stigma I guess.
Now I am rambling