- May 24, 2011
- 191
- 12
- 93
Name: American Saddlebred/Arabian Horse
Experience Needed: A lot. Trust me, I did NOT have any experience and while my horse turned out find it was not without a lot of work and many people aren't as lucky as I am. Most people aren't equipped to deal with these breeds, they are best for people with a lot of time to invest.
Origin: Saddlebred: Kentucky USA Arabian: Egypt
Diet: Pasture land and hay is usually good enough for these horses unless you're doing a LOT of hard riding. They were bred to have natural energy. On the other hand they can be hard to keep weight on if you're riding vigorously. Beat pulp (while a pain to use at times) can be a good weight gainer. Grain can be used to suppliment with horses who are worked a lot but I wouldn't suggest anything over 12-14 percent unless you're doing some very high level eventing or endurance. Anything with a lot of corn, stay away. It makes any horse batty and has a tendancy to make them fat.
Breed Temperment: Arabians AND saddlebreds tend to be very flighty. Some (most) trainers won't even bother to work with them. However I believe that if you do a lot of desensitization early on and show these horses that you can make them very reliable. Their tendancy to bolt can be over ridden if they trust the rider on their backs and have had a lot of time doing a lot of different things.
These horses, especially arabians, have a lot of energy. They can go FOREVER so it's best not to get into long winded fights. They were bred to go all day and I've never seen a trainer be able to out do that. The more violent you get with them, the more violent they'll get with you! If you slow it down, control your temper, and outsmart them you'll get farther than using brute strength. These horses don't taking bullying well, it makes them scared of people or agressive.
They are also extremely smart. Both of these breeds and the cross of them. They learn more quickly than other horses so I suggest if they can do what you ask three or four times in a row move on! It will take a lot of frusteration out of training because they tend to loose patience.
Saddlebreds aren't as trusting with new people as arabians. Both breeds tend to get very close to their owners and the people they know. The cross is the same way. If they are taught new people are a good thing and not a burden they'll love everyone. If trained right, you'll never meet a friendier horse!
The cross of these two breeds tends to make a very smart, very attached, and very dependant horse that is REALLY willing to work hard for you if trained correctly. If not trained and treated right, the crossing of these two breeds can make a monster of a horse because of their energy and strong will.
Unfortunatly with the brains of this horse, paired with the energy you can get a VERY naughty horse! One that is smart enough to undo gaits, get into feed rooms, outsmart a rider, and find new and creative ways to torture their pasture mates! Keep an eye on them but be careful not to crush their spirit. Their tendancy to be 'naughty' can also make them very useful and entertaining. So hard disapline should only be used in extreme cases. These horses will WEAR YOU OUT with all they get into and want to do but I promise, it's a lot of fun!
Height: Depends on the parents. Most saddlebreds are 15-16 hands and arabians tend to be smaller 13-14 hand horses. Depending on the parent it takes after the cross can be anywhere from 13-16.2 hands from what I've seen personally.
Colors: The cross can boast every color. Pure arabs from pure strains only produce solid colors from what I know. Saddlebreds do have a spotted strain that was bred in early on.
Environment: This isn't a horse you can stick in a stall for most of the day. They will start to crib, stall weave, and pace something awful. Full pasture or partial pasture will make for a much happier Arab/Saddlebred. If you do keep them on partial pasture (meaning they are stalled for half of a day) you'll need to lounge the horse before getting on, to get some excess energy out and get the focus on you. All horses should be given ample pasture land with the ability to get into a good canter or gallop without harming themselves for at least part of the day.
Family: This isn't a child's horse to OWN but they can be very good with children. The training and time with this horse needs to be put in by an adult with experience but because of how intelligent they are, if trained right they can be great lesson horses for people of all ages. I've had everything from autistic children, three year olds, to older teens with no experience, adults with no experience, and people that have ridden for years and are great with horses on him. They are so smart and so willing that if you train them right they'll do anything for you and they can be remarkably patient because of their love for people.
Any one who would like further information on these breeds or the cross breed is welcome to contact me for further advice. I am very close to many high level trainers and compeditors and if I don't know the answer I assure you I can find someone in my contacts that can help you. Now, please look at these pictures of my beautiful horse O.O
Experience Needed: A lot. Trust me, I did NOT have any experience and while my horse turned out find it was not without a lot of work and many people aren't as lucky as I am. Most people aren't equipped to deal with these breeds, they are best for people with a lot of time to invest.
Origin: Saddlebred: Kentucky USA Arabian: Egypt
Diet: Pasture land and hay is usually good enough for these horses unless you're doing a LOT of hard riding. They were bred to have natural energy. On the other hand they can be hard to keep weight on if you're riding vigorously. Beat pulp (while a pain to use at times) can be a good weight gainer. Grain can be used to suppliment with horses who are worked a lot but I wouldn't suggest anything over 12-14 percent unless you're doing some very high level eventing or endurance. Anything with a lot of corn, stay away. It makes any horse batty and has a tendancy to make them fat.
Breed Temperment: Arabians AND saddlebreds tend to be very flighty. Some (most) trainers won't even bother to work with them. However I believe that if you do a lot of desensitization early on and show these horses that you can make them very reliable. Their tendancy to bolt can be over ridden if they trust the rider on their backs and have had a lot of time doing a lot of different things.
These horses, especially arabians, have a lot of energy. They can go FOREVER so it's best not to get into long winded fights. They were bred to go all day and I've never seen a trainer be able to out do that. The more violent you get with them, the more violent they'll get with you! If you slow it down, control your temper, and outsmart them you'll get farther than using brute strength. These horses don't taking bullying well, it makes them scared of people or agressive.
They are also extremely smart. Both of these breeds and the cross of them. They learn more quickly than other horses so I suggest if they can do what you ask three or four times in a row move on! It will take a lot of frusteration out of training because they tend to loose patience.
Saddlebreds aren't as trusting with new people as arabians. Both breeds tend to get very close to their owners and the people they know. The cross is the same way. If they are taught new people are a good thing and not a burden they'll love everyone. If trained right, you'll never meet a friendier horse!
The cross of these two breeds tends to make a very smart, very attached, and very dependant horse that is REALLY willing to work hard for you if trained correctly. If not trained and treated right, the crossing of these two breeds can make a monster of a horse because of their energy and strong will.
Unfortunatly with the brains of this horse, paired with the energy you can get a VERY naughty horse! One that is smart enough to undo gaits, get into feed rooms, outsmart a rider, and find new and creative ways to torture their pasture mates! Keep an eye on them but be careful not to crush their spirit. Their tendancy to be 'naughty' can also make them very useful and entertaining. So hard disapline should only be used in extreme cases. These horses will WEAR YOU OUT with all they get into and want to do but I promise, it's a lot of fun!
Height: Depends on the parents. Most saddlebreds are 15-16 hands and arabians tend to be smaller 13-14 hand horses. Depending on the parent it takes after the cross can be anywhere from 13-16.2 hands from what I've seen personally.
Colors: The cross can boast every color. Pure arabs from pure strains only produce solid colors from what I know. Saddlebreds do have a spotted strain that was bred in early on.
Environment: This isn't a horse you can stick in a stall for most of the day. They will start to crib, stall weave, and pace something awful. Full pasture or partial pasture will make for a much happier Arab/Saddlebred. If you do keep them on partial pasture (meaning they are stalled for half of a day) you'll need to lounge the horse before getting on, to get some excess energy out and get the focus on you. All horses should be given ample pasture land with the ability to get into a good canter or gallop without harming themselves for at least part of the day.
Family: This isn't a child's horse to OWN but they can be very good with children. The training and time with this horse needs to be put in by an adult with experience but because of how intelligent they are, if trained right they can be great lesson horses for people of all ages. I've had everything from autistic children, three year olds, to older teens with no experience, adults with no experience, and people that have ridden for years and are great with horses on him. They are so smart and so willing that if you train them right they'll do anything for you and they can be remarkably patient because of their love for people.
Any one who would like further information on these breeds or the cross breed is welcome to contact me for further advice. I am very close to many high level trainers and compeditors and if I don't know the answer I assure you I can find someone in my contacts that can help you. Now, please look at these pictures of my beautiful horse O.O
