Hi all..
I have a question about Arabian strains.
What strain in your opinion presents itself as the best pleasure riding type?
I ask because I recently sold my TB mare to a breeder and have always wanted an Arabian for a riding horse.
I don't know much about the breed as a whole(especially the strains) but I have ridden a few and loved the experience.
I could still kick myself for not asking questions about it then.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Don't pay so much attention to the strain as you do to the individual horse. there are good individuals in all breeding groups and classifications...and there is some real junk in all breeding groups and classifications If you have a specific discipline that you want to pursue, then do some homework, find the horses that are winning in that discipline, study their conformation and bloodlines and go from there....but keep your options open as even full siblings can vary wildly in quality and ability.

The only time a strain or breeding group should be considered really is if you are buying to breed at some point IMVHO. Otherwise, look for a horse that makes your heart sing

Totally agree with the above post. Your first Arabian should be a horse that you enjoy. Enjoy your search!!

Wonderful answer, and oh so true!

Thank you for your responses!
I live in Michigan, any place where I could begin my search? I am not looking to buy an expensive horse so fancy bloodlines are not a matter.
Just kind and intelligent.
I would actually prefer a gelding, if possible.
I wish I knew as much about Arabians as I do thoroughbreds.
I think it would be harder to find a "right" TB since most have to be retrained once away from the track.
Aren't Arabians trained solely to be good riding horses?

Anyways,
Thanks very much....

I'm not really sure what you mean by "trained solely to be good riding horses," but there are arabs that compete in just about every facate of competition out there. There are a few people on this board that race their arabs, too.

I think the first decision is how you want to ride, english or western. You can then go from there. There are couple Michigan breeders (that I know off of the top of my head) that are on this site, Avondale Arabians, Weaver Arabians, the Fetts (I can't remember their farm name, but they are MrsEpson on this board), and Armstrong Arabians.

Why thank you Alison for giving us the extra advertising!

cbiskit - we do have a horse or two you may be interested in. Please e-mail me - larmstrong@riverview.net or check our website www.armstrongarabians.com . We have horses of various price ranges. Yes, we do have some that are good riding horses. I would also suggest that you come visit the farm to ride the horse(s) of interest.

Laura Armstrong

I guess "solely" was the wrong choice of word here.
What I mean is that unlike the thoroughbred, who is always bred and trained to race, the Arabian is a well rounded breed and more or them are trained to ride than the TB. Much like the QH, who is a lovely breed but very uncomfortable for me to ride. I have ridden a few Arabians in the past, and I must say that their fluid movement is very comfortable and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I almost "stole" the one I rode my first time.

Sorry the misunderstanding, I never meant that Arabians didn't compete. Oops.

I appreciate all responses here and I will definitely check out the website.

There are many more farms/breeders in Michigan, I just can't remember them all. Good luck in your search. Post pics of the horse that you end up getting!!