| Why an Arabian Horse |
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For me this is a simple question. Not only are they beautiful to look at, wonderful to work with, talented and easily trained but they are a companion, a true team member, part of the family and my Arabian horses show me this every day. I open the door to the stallion's stable and he stands ignoring me because I was away all day yesterday and did not even say hello in the morning. I say his name and he turns his head and allows me to slip his halter on. He dances on the end of the lead 
as we walk to his paddock and I let him go for a run and watch his white body cavort, tail and head high, dancing. I watch the muscles ripple, the hooves fly as he gallops around his paddock. He is all the beauty and majesty that I have ever read about and then he comes to me at full gallop and slides to a stop, bends his great neck and gently blows in my face before reaching forward for a head rub, gentleness and majesty in one. He doesn't hold a grudge, I am forgiven again. I work with a youngster still getting used to handling, gently touching his body all over, rubbing, scratching, retreat and advance. He is a little nervous to start with but inquisitive, wanting to know what I want him to do. He sighs with pleasure and chews when I reward him with a scratch in his favourite place. He follows me around the yard, steps back 
when I step back, moves forward when I move forward, stands when I stand. Outside the yard his paddock mates stand in a semi circle watching us and waiting their turn. Later one of our mares comes up for a scratch, her day old filly foal at her heels, peering nervously at this 
strange two legged horse and slowly step by step inches forward, encouraged by her dam’s acceptance of this stranger, to take a quick sniff before whirling tail over her back and prancing off to proclaim her bravery and how special she is. I enter the yearling paddock and one of the fillies spots me and comes over to see what I am doing. Her sisters follow and soon yI am encircled by them as they thrust their heads forward to blow in my face, my hair and to get a scratch. They follow me around the paddock as I go about my work, checking out the barrow, checking out the rake and the skep. Suddenly they are off for a gallop - no reason except they are young and alive and happy. A young boy is having his first ride on my purebred gelding. He is a little nervous but there is a big smile on his face. He accidently pulls one rein and the gelding begins to turn. The boy starts to slide to one side and the gelding quietly steps back under him, saving him from falling. The gelding plods around gently taking care of his inexperienced rider. This same butter would not melt in my mouth gelding who happily pigroots and dances when we go off for a canter in the paddock later. My gelding and I go to a show, early in the morning. We win the halter class and then saddle up and spend the rest of the day going from one class to another, one discipline to another, first a hack, then a bridle path horse, a stockhorse, a western horse, and finally a costumed figure from the tales of Ali Baba. All day he works with me, for me, changes frame to suit the hastily thrown on gear, stands tied to the float in between or picks on the end of the lead in a brief respite and then climbs on the float for the trip home. The stallion stands quietly in centre ring, surrounded by horses all doing the same thing, waiting for our class. He is watching them I know, ensuring his space is respected but he trusts me and accepts it is okay to be there, quietly accepting and waiting. When it is time for his class, he suddenly grows tall and firey and spirited, showing off, calling out the king is here. I don’t think we own an Arabian so much as they own us. As faithful as a dog, as aloof as a cat, Arabian horses are a hardworking partner in whatever it is you want to do with them. They are keen to please you and to join in the fun with you, if you will let them. Give them respect, teach them, talk to them and be with them as often as you can, ask fairly and quietly what you want them to do, allow them to do it and say thank you after by a simple release of pressure, a quiet touch, a word and they will give you everything they have as best they can. |
