The Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian Horse Registry were subsequently established by IAHA for the purpose of registering, transferring, and maintaining the official registration records concerning Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses. The Half- and Anglo-Arabians are treated as different breeds within the registry.

The Anglo-Arabian is a cross between a purebred AHA or Canadian Arabian Horse Registry (CAHR) Arabian and a Thoroughbred registered with the Jockey Club or other approved foreign source, or two registered Anglo-Arabians. They cannot be more than 75 percent Arabian blood or less than 25 percent. Those over 75 percent can be registered as a Half-Arabian.

A Half-Arabian is a cross between an AHA- or CAHR-registered Arabian and another breed of horse. The number before the A in the registration number indicates the percentage of Arabian blood in the horse.

The AHA says the two most popular Half-Arabian crosses are American Quarters Horses (for western and working western disciplines) and American Saddlebreds (for English, country English, park and saddle seat equitation).

Current registration numbers as of 2023 are 357,119 Half-Arabians and 10,096 Anglo-Arabians.

All-Around Half-Arabians

Amy Pike had always ridden purebred Arabians and says she didn’t make the switch to Half-Arabians consciously. A trainer offered her a Half-Arabian gelding (75 percent Arabian and 25 percent Saddlebred), Megas Four Onthefloor+++/ (aka “Four”), after the tragic loss of a young purebred Arabian she owned.

“I’d ridden some wonderful Half-Arabians previous to Four and had great experiences,” she shares. “I had ridden and shown a National Show Horse (Saddlebred cross) named Rohara Marc Twain for a few years in the mid-2000s and loved him. After Marc, I was open to a nice horse to ride and show, whether purebred or half. These days, though, I find I really love my Half-Arabians, and they’re very special.”

Pike also owns a 3-year-old 50-50 Arabian/Quarter Horse Half-Arabian named Johnny Paycheck+ (aka “Whalen”), and is part owner of Uncle Buck Dunit, a 16-year-old 50-50 Arabian/Quarter Horse Half-Arabian.

With her Half-Arabians, Pike has done a bit of everything, including showing in reining, dressage, western dressage, hunter, western, ranch horse, cow sorting, trail, backwoods trail riding, and camping.

“I even packed out an elk from a hunting trip with Four,” she says. Four has several national titles in dressage and sport horse in hand.

“But I think the most special thing about him is his love of people,” Pike adds. “He went to the Oregon State Fair and carried a young lady to several placings in her State FFA Horse competitions this last summer. She lost her horse just weeks prior to fair, and Four was able to step in and carry her. They practiced three times before hitting the show arena.”

Drill Team

Marlene Manuel was looking for a purebred Arabian that would be a smooth ride for her bad back when she saw Joe Fabulous G, a 50-50 Arabian/Quarter Horse Half-Arabian, at a drill clinic.

“I fell in love with his way of moving,” she says. “Although he was big and had a Quarter Horse build, he moved like a graceful Arabian.”

Being a drill team member herself, Manuel needed a horse with a lot of athleticism and stamina.

“His athleticism allows him to easily accelerate, decelerate, and quickly change direction, all very smoothly,” she says. “This has not changed over the years, and you would never know he is 18. He’s got that hardy Arabian blood, yet is sturdy and strong, like a Quarter Horse.”

Reining In Wins

Melissa Shaver, DVM, grew up showing purebred Arabians, but now she competes in reining with her Half-Arabians. Why did she make the switch?

“Having always been drawn to the working western events, especially reining, the Half-Arabian and Quarter Horse cross is perfect,” she says. “They are pretty, strong, and athletic, and we can show in the open reining shows as well as the rated Arabian shows and be competitive in both.”

Her mares, Bee My Bucks+/ and Megas Dunnit in Gold, have both been shown to National Reserve Champions in reining and multiple regional titles.

This article about appeared in the June 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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When Mary Trowbridge learned she was being featured in Horse Illustrated for her work with the Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund, she was shocked.

“This story cannot be about me!” said Trowbridge, founder and board member of the AHDF. However, the story about how this horse trainer established a nonprofit is too inspiring to keep quiet.

The Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund (AHDF) is a 501(c)3 founded in 2005. It is run by six board members and funded by donors, most of whom are members of the Arabian horse community. The fund provides financial assistance to horsemen and horsewomen when tragedy strikes. It is a way for fellow community members to help each other in life’s most frightening moments.

Eligible funding events include medical emergencies, barn fires, natural disasters, unexpected loss, and other life-altering events. Although beneficiaries must be members of the Arabian Horse Association, the fund is an independent entity and not tied to the association.

What is now a multimillion-dollar fund began with Trowbridge organizing one raffle to raise money for a friend in need.

What Friends Are For

Ron Copple Jr. was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the fall of 2004. He was a young trainer at the time, just starting to rise in the Arabian horse industry. News of Copple’s diagnosis began to spread at the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show in February 2005.

After hearing the tragic news, Trowbridge and a group of other industry friends knew they had to do something to help. With Trowbridge’s leadership, they organized a few fundraising events to be held during that week of competition.

They were inspired by others’ willingness to give. Although Copple was going to need more support as he navigated what lay ahead, Trowbridge recognized this momentum could continue after he was healed. He wasn’t the first person in this community who would have benefited from their help, and he wouldn’t be the last.

When Trowbridge got home from the show, she went about learning how to run a nonprofit. Even with no prior nonprofit experience and a training business of her own to run, she opened a bank account, established AHDF as a 501(c)3, and got to work.

Seventeen years later, cancer-free Copple—and many others—are grateful for Trowbridge’s initiative and continued hard work. Trowbridge’s passion for the fund keeps these “graduates,” as she calls them, deeply involved in the AHDF’s fundraisers and activities.

When asked about what inspired the fund’s start, Trowbridge simply states, “We all should want to help someone when their chips are down.”

A Woman of Many Talents

Trowbridge began training horses in 1978 at Sir William Arabian farm. The sign above the farm’s entrance read “Our integrity is your guarantee.” She carries that mantra through Trowbridge’s, Ltd., which she has run with her husband Pat since 1991. She—and the entire board—demand the same integrity is found within the AHDF.

Trowbridge is a professional horsewoman and a self-taught nonprofit leader. She generously gives her time, attention and energy to the fund, driven by her passion for the Arabian horse and the knowledge that we are stronger with friends’ support.

“Living through all of the tough life experiences alongside everyone is the hardest part,” Trowbridge says of the difficulties that leading AHDF brings. “I’m a firm believer that the toughest situations are the places where we can find the very best lessons in life, if we only have the time to take a breath to look for them.”

For the Love of Horses

In Trowbridge’s opinion, the secret sauce to the fund’s success is the shared love for the Arabian horse. Beneficiaries and donors are tied together by the bond they share with their horses.

“Our Arabian horses are gifts,” Trowbridge says with emotion. “I think that’s why people give so generously. We recognize the beautiful thing we have within these animals and want to do whatever we can do to make sure our industry, our people and our horses thrive. The AHDF helps us all to celebrate the Arabian horse.”

Sometimes horses cross people’s paths for reasons they might not realize at the time. Now 26-year-old Lillie Ellis and her family learned this when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2010. Her parents had just bought their first Arabian, Windborne Maestro (aka “Mo”), when she received this life-changing diagnosis.

Ellis was in the height of her battle when Trowbridge called Ellis’ mother, Heather Freeman. Ellis’ health had taken a scary turn and they needed help. The AHDF and Trowbridge embraced this first-time horse owner the same way they did their longtime friend five years prior.

“Mary and the Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund were absolute live-savers,” Freeman says. “If we hadn’t had Mo, and hadn’t been part of the Arabian horse community, I don’t know where we’d be.”

Mentions of Trowbridge’s above-and-beyond support were plentiful among beneficiaries. She is a catalyst for immediate financial relief, but people commented more often about her heart, kind words, and emotional support.

Trowbridge brings Maya Angelou’s quote to life in her work with AHDF: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

The Arabian Horse Community

The Arabian horse community is close-knit: When something tragic happens, words, thoughts, prayers and aid spread quickly. Many times, the AHDF board offers assistance before the person, family or farm in need has had a chance to ask.

Trowbridge and board members prioritize protecting their beneficiaries’ privacy. While many situations gain quick, public support, about 80 percent of funding is confidential. People give to the fund with the quiet reminder that they may need it one day. Nobody is invincible to the unexpected, and AHDF is a great comfort for the Arabian horse community.

Since it began in 2005, the AHDF has raised and disbursed more than $2.5 million in assistance to fellow horsemen and women. Hearing a number this massive might make the fund sound like something kept alive through large donations. While there are instances of extreme generosity and record-breaking fundraisers, Trowbridge emphasizes how crucial every donation is.

“People give what they can,” she says. “If they can give in large ways, that is wonderful. However, there is also something special about the people who give $20 a month. This fund is for all of us in the Arabian horse community, so it’s beautiful that even its funding reflects our diversity.”

The Future of the Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund

Seventeen years and $2.5 million is just the beginning for the AHDF. Trowbridge’s goals for the fund are that it continually reminds people that horses are blessings, spreads awareness of the good within the Arabian horse community, and brings this community together for many generations to come.

“It’s an ongoing privilege, and frankly a sacred honor to me, to be with people during tough times thanks to the generosity of all who support AHDF,” says Trowbridge.

Without her dedication and enthusiasm, the fund would not have grown to be what it is today. Donors give their money, board members offer their guidance, and beneficiaries humbly accept the fund’s assistance; however, every dollar of that $2.5 million could have gone many other places if Trowbridge didn’t set up that bank account in 2005.

You can learn more about the AHDF at www.horsemensdistressfund.com.

This article about the Arabian Horsemens’ Distress Fund helping the Arabian horse community appeared in the October 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Arabians in Sport

Today, the Arabian horse can be found throughout the world, made up of differing strains that developed in various geographical areas, capable of performing a variety of different jobs. Everywhere the breed can be found, it’s known for its endurance and versatility, no matter what the discipline.

Sport Horses

Arabian horses are known for their great athleticism, and this trait is most evident in the Arab sport horse. Dressage in particular is one of the sport horse disciplines where they excel. Their graceful carriage and propensity for collection make them naturals in this sport.

Arabians of this type carry a higher-set neck, with sufficient length and extension of the poll. Their movement is free, elastic, active and regular, with good push from behind without tension, and with a tendency toward uphill balance.

Arabians of hunter type carry a more level frame than the dressage type, yet they must display natural-looking carriage. Movement should show good ground cover and tend to be long and low, with good push from behind, free of tension and showing good balance.

The Arabian Horse Association promotes the Arabian as a sport horse with its Sport Horse in Hand classes, which evaluate a horse’s suitability according to movement, conformation and general impression. Horses are judged 40 percent on movement; 40 percent on conformation; 10 percent on expression, manners and willingness; and 10 percent on quality, balance and harmony.

Racing

The tradition of racing has been part of the Arabian horse since the breed began. In fact, the three foundation stallions of the Thoroughbred breed were all Arabians. Today, racing is still a popular sport for Arabians, with horses from various bloodlines on the racetrack. Polish, Russian, Spanish, Crabbet and Egyptian-bred Arabians are among the most successful racehorses in the breed.

Endurance

If there’s one discipline where the Arabian horse is king, it is the sport of long-distance competitive riding, with endurance being the most popular event. Arabians have long dominated this discipline, and it’s no wonder. They developed over thousands of years to travel long distances through a harsh desert environment. Every Arabian bloodline has been represented in long-distance riding competitions around the U.S.

The Super Bowl of endurance is the annual Tevis Cup, a 100-mile endurance race that takes place in Northern California each summer. This grueling and prestigious race has been won by a purebred Arabian or Arabian cross every year except for two since the event’s inception in 1955.

Prominent Bloodlines

Bloodlines are important in the Arabian breed, and a number of strains have developed over time. Three of the most well-known are the Polish, Crabbet and Egyptian. Each strain developed in a different part of the world and has its own unique history.

Polish

Arabian horses came to Poland through war, when adversaries from the Middle East repeatedly attacked the country. The horses ridden by Mongolian, Tartar and Turkish foes found their way into Polish hands as prizes of war. In the Middle Ages, Polish stud farms were developed, and a distinct strain of Polish Arabians came into existence.

Crabbet

The Crabbet strain of Arabian began when 19th century British socialite Lady Anne Blunt and her husband Wilfrid Blunt went to the Middle East in search of fine horses to bring back to England. Lady Anne Blunt became a student of Bedouin bloodlines, and worked hard to maintain the purity of the Arabians she bred. Horses from her stud are known as the Crabbet strain, and can now be found all over the world.

Egyptian

A strain of Arabian called the “straight Egyptian” represents the blending of pure, undisputed desert heritage. The recent history of this strain begins with the Turkish ruler Mohamed Ali the Great, who led Egypt when it was a province of the Turkish Empire.

Mohamed Ali built palatial stables and gathered the finest desert horses in all the Middle East. This strain eventually found its way to America, and can be seen in many Arabian pedigrees in the U.S.

Arabian Horse Fast Facts

◆ Height: 14.2 to 15.3 hands
◆ Color: Bay, chestnut, black, gray, roan
◆ Overall Appearance: A small head, preferably slightly concave below the eyes; small muzzle with large nostrils; long, arched neck; deep chest and short back; horizontal croup; and naturally high tail carriage.
◆ Association: Arabian Horse Association

This article about the Arabian horse breed appeared in the February 2019 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The Arabian Horse Breed appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Deep History of the Arabian Horse

Perhaps the Arabian horse’s legendary history is part of what has contributed to its popularity.

“The Arabian horse was used as an ambassador and was often given as a treasured gift to royalty or important political figures,” says Susan Meyer, vice president at large of the Arabian Horse Association, vice president of the Arabian Jockey Club and a trustee of the Purebred Arabian Trust. She and her husband, Jim, have owned and operated Meyercrest Arabians in North Carolina for 39 years, and have owned, bred and shown horses to championships at the local, regional and national level. They have also owned, bred and raced purebred Arabians across the United States.

“Arabians were also prized as spoils of war, and many governments established purebred breeding programs of their own,” continues Meyer. “As a result, almost all Arabian pedigrees can be traced back to a horse that was part of a historical event or figure. This link with history is a fun and exciting part of owning an Arabian horse.”

Despite the Arabian horse’s long and alluring history, it’s incredible that the breed has remained so true to its original physical traits, and that it has been able to perpetuate those qualities for so long.

Although the specific area of the Arabian Peninsula where the breed originated can’t be pinpointed, it is widely accepted that around 2500 B.C., the Bedouin people were responsible for developing the desert horses that became the ancestors of the Arabian horse. The nomads’ keen horse sense and meticulous attention to proper care and breeding created an animal that could withstand the harsh environment of the desert, surviving extreme heat and cold with little water and the food they shared with their handlers. A life of travel also required horses with great lung capacity, endurance and stamina.

Fascinating Facts

Many of the Arabian’s characteristics have an ancient religious or superstitious belief attached to them. These traits were highly sought after and became the focus of the Bedouins’ selective breeding practices.

• Jibbah: The bulging forehead was considered a blessing from God. The Bedouins believed that the larger an Arabian’s forehead, the more blessings he brought with him.
• Mitbah: The area where the head attaches to the neck—behind the ears along the topline of the neck and the throatlatch. The Mitbah symbolized courage.
• The Arabian was also prized for a petite, refined muzzle that could “fit into a teacup.”

In addition to wealth and good luck, most of the Arabian’s traits have a significant physical benefit. For instance, the short, dished head and flaring nostrils promote optimum oxygen intake. Furthermore, the Mitbah’s long, fine characteristics prevent the windpipe from being constricted when the head is in a collected frame, which promotes the free flowing of oxygen to the lungs at all times. And the deep chest and wide ribcage permit lung expansion.

• The breed’s Arabian name “Kohl-ani” is a reference to its eyes and skin. The smooth skin is the color of Kohl, a bluish-black substance that was used in Egypt in ancient times as eyeliner and eye shadow.
• Mares were prized over stallions because they perpetuated the breed. They were also preferred for war because they wouldn’t nicker to the enemy’s mounts during raids. Mares were so valued that they were rarely sold. If they changed owners, it was considered a very honorable gift

“The Bedouins and their horses depended on each other for survival, and this interdependency created a very strong human-animal bond,” says Meyer. “Also, only the soundest, most trainable and hardiest individuals survived and bred on. The Bedouins recognized the importance of preserving the attributes that they depended on so much, and their selective breeding practices concentrated on the positive attributes of individual lines. Because of this concentration of blood, even today’s Arabians are able to consistently and predictably pass on their abilities to their offspring. This makes them highly prized as breeding animals.”

Cultural Influence

The Arabian’s physical traits and ability to pass them on to other horse breeds became a major force behind its appeal to other societies in history. About 3,500 years ago, the Arabian helped expand empires such as Egypt and shaped cultures by influencing the horses that were used to settle nations, fight wars and grow economies.

When Arabia worked to spread Islam in 600 A.D., the Arabian horse carried Arab warriors throughout the Middle East and as far as North Africa, Spain and China. Through this effort, and as a result of the expansive Christian Crusades during the 11th and 13th centuries, the Arabian horse began leaving its mark on European horses. It added refinement to heavier draft breeds and height to smaller ponies.

However, its greatest influence was likely that of developing the English Thoroughbred. Three stallions—the Godolphin Barb, Darley Arabian, and Byerly Turk—are credited with being the foundation sires of the Thoroughbred breed between the late 1600s and mid-1700s. Today, the majority of Thoroughbreds can be traced to one of these sires. In turn, the Thoroughbred added to the influence of the Arabian by passing on the traits it inherited from this ancient horse to many other breeds, particularly the American Quarter Horse.

“The Arabian has demonstrated a unique ability to consistently pass on its desirable traits,” says Meyer. “For centuries, nearly all light horse breeds and some draft and warmblood breeds have used the Arabian horse to develop or improve their breed. The Arabian’s ability to influence other breeds is well demonstrated by today’s Thoroughbred racehorses. Genetic testing has proven that 95 percent of all modern Thoroughbred racehorses trace to [one of these foundation] stallions. The mighty Secretariat traced to all three of the foundation stallions.”

Rise and Fall of the Arabian Horse in History

In the 1800s, influential Arabian stud farms were established all over Europe. The historic Crabbet Arabian Stud in England, founded by 15th Baroness Wentworth Lady Anne Blunt and her husband, Wilfred Blunt, produced horses that contributed to the spread of the Arabian breed to Russia, Poland, Australia, Egypt, and North and South America.

In the United States, Randolph Huntington started what is considered to be the first purebred Arabian horse breeding program in history, established in 1888. Later, 45 Arabian horses exhibited at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair inspired further interest in the breed in America. This led to the formation of the first stud book and the Arabian Horse Club of America registry in 1908, now known as the Arabian Horse Association. Subsequent breeding farms and importations in the early and mid-1920s led to further growth of the breed in the United States. Davenport Arabians and Kellogg Ranch, which was established by cereal tycoon W.K. Kellogg, were two of the breeding farms that moved to the forefront of the industry at that time.

“In the late 1800s and early 1900s, several wealthy American entrepreneurs became enthralled with the history, beauty, athletic ability and unique human-animal bond that the Arabian horse represented,” says Meyer. “They began importing Arabian horses from the Middle East and Europe. These horses were not only used to cross with indigenous horses, but they were also used to establish herds of breeding stock to preserve a source of purebred Arabians here in the United States.

“In the 1960s, 70s and 80s, the large inventory of purebred Arabians that were the result of these breeding programs enabled the Arabian to become affordable for the average American family, and the same attributes that attracted the early breeders to the Arabian made them extremely attractive to American families,” continues Meyer. “During that time period, more than 30,000 purebred Arabian foals were born every year. These were unprecedented numbers that far exceeded any other country, and as a result, there are as many registered Arabian horses in the United States as nearly all other countries combined.”

An unfortunate result of this boom in the U.S. Arabian population was a severe downturn in its popularity during the 1980s. Changes in the economy and indiscriminate breeding gave rise to misconceptions that left reputable breeders and promoters disheartened and struggling to pick up the pieces.

“After the breed became extremely affordable, it was also embraced by many celebrities, and the most valued breeding stock and show horses sold for astronomical amounts,” says Meyer. “These were the horses with the highest profiles and the stories that were most often publicized, so the perception that Arabians are extremely expensive still persists. However, Arabian horses run the gamut of price ranges, and the vast majority of them are as affordable as any breed.”

Making a Comeback

A new focus in the 1990s on ability and promoting the Arabian as an all-around performer and family horse helped launch a resurgence for the breed after its rich history. Because of this, Arabian horse owners enjoy participating in various equestrian sports today, from reining to dressage. The breed particularly excels in endurance and trail riding.

“Many people in the modern dressage world value Arabian blood to bring lightness and suppleness to their horses,” says Meyer. “Even working western disciplines appreciate the endurance that Arabians can add to their horses that must work long hours over rough terrain. And in distance riding events, the Arabian is king. All of the major distance events are dominated by Arabians.”

The Arabian also continues to fight an enduring misconception about being high-strung, which has a lot to do with the breed’s past, says Meyer.

“The most prized horses of the Bedouins were the mares that were used in raiding other tribes,” explains Meyer. “A mare not only had to be unfailingly loyal to her master, but she also had to be fierce and courageous in battle. The uninformed can believe Arabians are naturally aggressive, when in fact, these traits are learned behaviors.

“The natural brilliance that the Arabian displays while at play has been emphasized in the show-ring in the halter division,” adds Meyer. “This learned behavior has only perpetuated the myth that the Arabian is flighty and nervous. This isn’t the way the Arabian deports itself day in and day out. The Arabian was the original family horse and is still an ideal horse for families today.”

A Bright Future

With so many qualities and rich history to admire about the Arabian horse and an exhibit such as the Arabian Galleries to promote it, the breed can look forward to maintaining its popularity in the horse community, according to Meyer.

“The same qualities that propelled the Arabian horse throughout the world are what ensure its longevity and continued popularity,” she explains. “The Arabian has proven that it has the ability to adapt and be successful. One horse can serve as a mount for [adults] and children in multiple disciplines. In today’s economy, with ever increasing pressures on space and the environment, the ability to serve multiple demands bodes well for the Arabian breed.”

Meyer believes two trends that have made their way into the Arabian horse industry will propel the breed into a successful future that will build upon its expansive history.

“Probably one of the most significant new trends has been the natural horsemanship approach to training,” says Meyer. “It’s especially suited to the Arabian personality. Arabians are naturally curious and interested in people, and particularly enjoy the interaction that is so important in this type of training. Arabians learn much faster and are easier to deal with using this approach versus other methods of training that depend more on negative reinforcement.”

Like most attributes about the Arabian horse, Meyer says this inclination toward natural horsemanship is linked to the breed’s past. “Because Arabians had to live among the Bedouin families, even residing in the tents with them at times, they had to be particularly docile and tractable,” explains Meyer. “The foals were weaned only a few days after birth and were raised by the women and children on camel’s milk and dates. The foals’ lives depended on their bond with humans, and over the centuries, the foals that had this affinity for connecting with humans have been the ones that bred on. The natural horsemanship methods allow this connection to develop to a very high level.”

Meyer says another trend that has secured the Arabian’s top position in the horse industry is the baby boomers’ growing interest in riding, and their desire for suitable mounts that are both athletic and reliable.

“The Arabian’s sensitivity and athletic abilities are particularly suited to the athletic challenges that the mature rider deals with, particularly in competitive disciplines,” says Meyer. “The strength and stamina of the rider is not as crucial when riding Arabians, as they are so easy to collect and maneuver.”

With an appeal that has drawn people of so many different backgrounds to the Arabian horse over the ages, the breed is sure to continue its influential role for a long time
to come.

Part II: A Fitting Tribute to the Arabian Horse >>
The Enduring Arabian >>
Question of the Week: Skinny Lesson Horse>>

This article about the history of the Arabian horse originally appeared in the January 2011 issue of Horse Illustrated. Click here to subscribe.

The post A Brief History of the Arabian Horse appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Adoptable Horse: Mystery, 4-year-old 14.3 hh bay Arabian gelding
Organization: Wild At Heart Horse Rescue, Lancaster, California

Get to Know Mystery

Could Mystery be your Right Horse? Click here for more information about Mystery, the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week.

My Right Horse

My Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.therighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA’s Right Horse Adoptable Horse: Mystery appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

For centuries, the ancestors of today’s Arabians were carefully bred by the Bedouin tribes of the Sahara Desert. Used for war and for traveling long distances, these horses lived in close quarters with their nomadic keepers, sharing their tents on cold nights and developing deep bonds.

Life in the harsh desert meant only the strongest of these horses survived. The results were the development of a breed with a large lung capacity and great endurance that can travel for miles without stopping, with the heart and spirit to match.

In more recent times, Arabian horses have contributed their ancient genes to help create and refine other breeds. The Thoroughbred, Andalusian, Welsh Pony and American Quarter Horse are just a few of the breeds that owe their influence to the Arabian horse.

An Arabian Horse Ambassador

What does it mean to live with a horse whose heritage is considered the oldest and purest of all of the breeds? Husband-and-wife team Lee Pearce and Naomi Preston of Baker City, Ore., know the answer.

They have shared the past 17 years with a purebred Arabian gelding named Fire Mt Malabar, who has proven to possess the endurance famous in his breed. Named the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) 2019 Hall of Fame Equine, “Mal” is 22 years old and still competing in endurance.

Mal started life as a racehorse, running more than 50 races by the time he was retired at age 5.

“Naomi saw a classified ad for him in the AERC Endurance News,” says Pearce. “She said, ‘If you want a champion, take a look at this horse Malabar.’ She knew his owner and his bloodlines, and that his sire, Sierra Fadwah+/, was the 1992 AERC Hall of Fame equine. Sierra Fadwah was one of the top sires in the sport, producing many outstanding endurance horses.”

Arabian Endurance

After bringing him home, Pearce and Preston spent two years conditioning Mal for his first endurance ride in 2006. Although Mal had no prior endurance training, the Arabian horse breed made him a natural for the sport.

“He had total ‘race brain’ for the first 25 miles and went much faster than I had planned,” says Pearce. “We spent the remaining 25 miles trying to preserve as much energy as we could to keep him going.”

Three years into his endurance career, Mal was still challenging Pearce with his racing mindset, but won his first ride and received two best condition (BC) awards, the most coveted title next to an outright win.

“That’s when I knew he was something special,” says Pearce, who notes that over the years, the horse kept getting stronger and stronger while carrying his heavyweight rider, and seemed to love his job.

“He started to excel at longer rides, including 75, 80 and 100 miles, and won the Heavyweight Division [riders 211 pounds and over] in the 2013 National Championship 100-mile ride,” says Pearce.

Finding His Stride

Throughout the years, Mal started chalking up lots of BC awards and won the National Best Condition Championship in 2011 and second place in 2015. The athletic ability and quick recovery that the Arabian horse is known for helped Mal achieve longterm success in the sport.

“To date, Mal has won 48 best condition awards, displaying not only his strength, but his ability to shine after the ride is completed,” says Pearce. The horse currently has 8,410 miles on his record.

Mal is now being ridden by Preston, who is a lightweight rider (161-185 pound division), and is still competing.

“Last year at age 21, he had a 100-percent completion rate,” says Pearce. “He maintains his incredible soundness, love for his job, and excellent condition. And for the last three years, he’s been carrying a lightweight rider, which has given him continued stamina in his veteran years.”

Over the last few years, Mal has also excelled at multi-day Pioneer rides, ranging from 155-mile three-day rides to 260-mile five-day rides.

“His mileage capabilities have not diminished at all,” says Pearce. “In fact, our hope is that he can achieve AERC’s Perfect Ten award by reaching 10,000 miles.”

Fast Facts about the Arabian Horse Height: 14.1 to 15.2 hands Color: Bay, chestnut, gray and black. Overall Appearance: Small head, straight or preferably slightly concave profile; small muzzle, large nostrils; large eyes set well apart; small ears with tips curved slightly inward. Long, arched neck and high withers. A short back and horizontal croup with high tail carriage. Find more details about the breed by visiting the websites of the Arabian Horse Association and the World Arabian Horse Organization.

This article about an Arabian horse appeared in the May 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The Enduring Arabian appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Recreational riding programs have long been an essential part of most horse breed association’s offerings, because they help attract and keep members. Program participants often praise the tracking logs as a way to keep track of time spent with their horse, and, once milestone achievements are reached, fun and useful prizes are awarded to riders.

Unfortunately, many such programs suffer from low participation levels. Breed associations would like to change that by making horse owners more aware of the diverse range of activities in which they can take part with their horse. Regardless of your chosen breed, here’s what three of the country’s top breed associations had to share about their recreational rider programs.

Why Participate in Horse Breed Recreational Riding Programs?

There are a variety of reasons a fan of a particular horse breed should participate in these recreational riding programs.

• Horse ownership is not required, and multiple horses can help earn hours toward milestone achievements.
• Participation time logs help participants keep track of their hours earned.
• While some associations make a distinction between competitive and non-competitive hours and which ones can be included, typical examples of eligible hours encompass those spent trail riding, training, participating in parades, taking part in riding lessons, etc.
• Reaching a milestone achievement level offers practical prizes different from those typically earned at horse shows.
• There is often no time limit to reach milestone goals.
• Any fees involved are usually nominal.

Examples of recreational riding programs from breed associations include:

Appaloosa Horse Club

Keri LeForce, performance department supervisor with the Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC), feels that her organization’s Saddle Log/Driving Log program is of most benefit to those ApHC members who don’t regularly participate in organized events.

“It’s an opportunity for them to be involved with the association and receive recognition for the things they are doing,” she says. “It’s a way for them to maintain a connection with the breed association.”

Participating adult members pay an annual fee of just $25, while youth are assessed a one-time $20 fee. Appaloosa Horse Club membership is required and, while ownership of the horse is not necessary, hours logged must be earned while riding or driving a registered Appaloosa. Hours are tracked online or via a printable log.

All program participants receive a patch. Thereafter, chevron bars are earned at milestone achievement level. While milestone achievement levels differ between the riding and driving programs, common examples include 25, 50, 75, 100, 200, 500, 1,500, 2,000, and 2,500 hours. Examples of prizes earned in addition to the chevron bars include brushes with engraved handles and achievement-level embroidered items. Any time spent riding or driving, including competing at shows, training, and trail riding, is eligible for inclusion on the log and counts towards prizes.

Arabian Horse Association

Current members of the Arabian Horse Association who enjoy riding their registered Arabian or Half-Arabian horse are eligible to participate in the association’s Frequent Rider Program. Members are assessed a one-time $25 fee and log their hours online or via a printable log. Similar to other breed associations, participants are not required to own their own horse, but instead may log their hours on any number of registered horses.

According to Abby Carpenter, awards and show results coordinator at the Arabian Horse Association, participating members earn prizes at such milestone achievement levels as 25, 100, 250, 500, 1,000, 2,500, 5,000, 7,500, and 10,000 hours. While each achievement level earns a bridle tag, as the number of logged hours increases, so too does the value of the prizes starting at travel mugs and moving to picture frames, leather portfolios, accessory bags, coolers, and even a jacket at the highest level. Like most breed association representatives, Carpenter sees the benefit of allowing Arabian horses to promote themselves in a wide variety of recreational riding activities and would like to see even more members take part in the program. As an incentive, the AHA has an updated recreational riding program in the works where members will be able to log competitive hours from open shows, along with non-competitive hours.

American Morgan Horse Association

Known as My Morgan and Me, the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) takes a slightly broader approach to its recreational program. Following some trial and error to find the most workable solution to host the program, the AMHA’s newest program guidelines now have members submit a $25 payment only when milestone achievements are reached. Gone are the days of a one-time enrollment fee.

“We had program participants not submitting miles because they weren’t eligible for an award,” says Carrie Mortensen, executive director of the AMHA. “It was confusing. Now, when you reach a milestone, you send in $25 whether it takes you three years or three days to earn the achievement.”

Participants can download the My Morgan and Me brochure, which includes a printable log, from the association’s website. But it isn’t mandatory to use this form.

“When I was doing it, I made my own spreadsheet,” says Mortensen.

Different from other associations, the AMHA does not require that the logs be turned in when reporting a milestone achievement. The logs are more for the participant’s records and benefit.

“It’s an honorary system for us,” Mortensen explained.

Once the achievement has been reported, the participant receives awards directly from the association’s headquarters or an electronic coupon for the AMHA Marketplace where they can purchase t-shirts, sweatshirts, and jackets.

“You can decide on the color and if you want to have your name embroidered on it,” she adds.

When a participant reaches the highest levels of achievement, such as 10,000 hours, they receive a small write-up and are featured with their photograph in the association’s magazine.

“We do love for people [of any achievement level] to submit electronic photographs with their application,” say says. “When an applicant puts in for a milestone, we always feature it on our Facebook page if they include a picture.”

Other key differences in the AMHA’s program are that membership is not required and any time with a Morgan horse, not just time spent riding or driving, counts toward milestone achievements.

“The majority of people that participate are not competing, they are trail riding,” says Mortensen. “They are hanging out with their horse at home. The majority, if they are doing a show, it’s at the local level.”

She said that Morgan horses often have long life spans, and the more relaxed program requirements allow members to record time spent with a horse who is older and may no longer be serviceably sound but their owners still want to feel as if they are a part of a greater organization.

Have you participated in a breed organization’s recreational rider program? Tell us more in the comments below.

The post Why You Should Participate in Horse Breed Association Recreational Riding Programs appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Envision this scene: a glorious black Arabian stallion swims powerfully through the ocean in the aftermath of a shipwreck, pulling you to the safety of a deserted island where you later learn to ride him.

That might happen if you’re Alec Ramsey in The Black Stallion movie and book, but even if you’re not shipwrecked on an island with a wild stallion, you’ve probably seen Arabian horses at the stable or at horse shows. The Arabian is a beautiful breed capable of many different jobs.

What Are Arabian Horses Known For?

A light horse breed that stands between 14.1 and 15.3 hands (although 15.1 is more common on the tall end), Arabian horses have been prized for centuries for their stamina and versatility. But Arabians are also famous for their distinctive beauty and presence. What is it about the Arabian’s appearance that sets it apart from other breeds?

Part of the reason is surely the Arabian’s sculpted head, which sports a heavily dished face and large eyes that are prominently set on the sides of the face. The Arabian’s muzzle is small, but the nostrils are flared, which also adds to this breed’s dramatic look. There is an unmistakable elegance about the Arabian that contributes to its distinctive type, stemming from its arched neck and graceful body.

You’ll find Arabians in four different coat colors: bay, black, chestnut and gray, sometimes with occasional roaning caused by coat patterns like rabicano. Gray is something of a classic Arabian color, and many foundation stallions were gray, including the imported Raffles and Skowronek.

How is an Arabian’s Skeleton Different?

If you study the conformation of many horse breeds, you might notice that the Arabian tends to have a shorter back than other breeds, as well as a high-set tail and a level croup. There is a good reason for this: most Arabians actually have a slightly different skeletal structure than other horse breeds.

In addition to having a higher bone density than other breeds, Arabians usually have one less rib and only have five lumbar vertebrae in their backs instead of six, which results in a shorter back. Additionally, their tails are missing two vertebrae, which might contribute to the Arabian’s tendency to lift their tails high when excited.

How Versatile is an Arabian Horse?

The spirited Arabian has no shortage of talent when it comes to competing or performing. Arabians are used in racing, and also compete in endurance riding, where horse and rider complete long-distance rides of 50 or 100 miles.

And whether it’s a local open show or an Arabian breed show, you’ll find Arabians competing in hunters, western pleasure, English pleasure, dressage, jumping, saddle seat, reining, cutting, and many other disciplines, in addition to in-hand conformation and showmanship classes. Even though you might first think of Arabians as riding horses, you’ll also find some that compete in pleasure driving.

Arabians excel outside of competition too, whether it’s a quiet ride down a trail or a low-key ride around the outdoor arena.

Are Arabian Horses Good for Beginners?

If you’re interested in Arabian horses and would like to learn more about them, you might be interested in the Arabian Horse Association’s Discovery Farm program. This program is an opportunity for beginning riders to meet Arabian horses and learn from informative farm owners who are willing to share their knowledge of Arabians.

For thousands of years, people have cherished their alliance with the Arabian horse. And when you ride or watch an Arabian, remember that you’re participating in that connection and helping to write the latest chapter in the Arabian’s story.

This article about the Arabian horse breed appeared in the Spring 2020 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Breed Spotlight: Arabian Horse appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, over 100,000 horses in the united states are sold to slaughter each year. Through innovative programs, the Love This Horse (LTH) equine rescue is seeking to change that.

Owners in Distress

“Many times, what happens when owners get desperate is that horses end up in a bad situation,” says Vera V-Abdallah, founder of LTH equine rescue in Mojave, Calif.

Concerned about the future of their beloved equines, owners will often reach out to V-Abdallah. Many are genuinely concerned about finding them good homes. Working within the Arabian horse community, LTH uses a variety of methods to ensure just the right placement for these situations.

“To me, rescue has always meant taking a horse, rehabilitating him, training him and finding the horse a home,” says V-Abdallah. “In most places around the country, keeping a horse is a luxury. People want to have a horse they can ride or do something with.”

V-Abdallah performed this type of small- scale rescue prior to becoming a 501(c)(3) in 2016 and then expanded on it.

When owners reach out for help, the horse does not usually come directly to LTH to find a home. One method the facility employs in this situation, and in more conventional adoptions, is to screen candidates prior to placement. Then, as an added measure of comfort for the owner, horses can be sent out on an adoption contract. This way the horse will return to LTH if it doesn’t work out with the adopter.

Making Adoption Attractive

Although the program’s main focus is helping owners in distress, they also rescue horses at auction. In those cases, horses come to the LTH facility, often without registration papers. However, registration papers can play a key role in a future adoption, since having them opens up additional placement opportunities.

To help those without papers, the program makes use of a service offered by the Arabian Horse Association (AHA). This program involves submitting a DNA sample in order to match registration papers with the horse in question. This often provides an initial point of contact.

“We then contact the last registered owner, and usually they are not the person who last owned the horse,” says V-Abdallah. “Often they sold the horse, and he may have changed hands two or three times, but nobody ever registered him. Then we work with the AHA to reunite the horse with his papers. For the most part, the registered owners have been very willing to help. They are usually pretty horrified that the horse ended up in a bad situation.”

In addition, LTH partners with the Right Horse Initiative (RHI).

“What we like about the RHI is that they focus on adoption,” says V-Abdallah. “A few years ago, [not as many people] adopted a dog from a shelter or a rescue organization. Nowadays they do because they understand it’s not the dog’s fault, and it’s not because the dog is inferior. If we did this for dogs, why can’t we do this for horses? [It would] really shut down the slaughter pipeline.”

Love This Horse Equine Rescue as Breed Ambassadors

V-Abdallah considers the horses at her facility ambassadors for the Arabian breed.

One aspect of this ambassadorship involves getting the horses out into the public through a partnership with a Los Angeles county riding organization for economically disadvantaged youth. Interested participants are provided assistance in order to show the program’s horses.

Another involves demonstrating to potential adopters that Arabians are a viable option for safe riding horses. The program sometimes adopts out to people who have never considered owning an Arabian. While they may be expecting flighty behavior, what they find instead are calm horses.

“Many of our volunteers have a history with horses and often become adopters,” says V-Abdallah. “They may have had horses as a child or they got out of horses and want to get back in. They use volunteering for their reintroduction.”

One program that LTH offers to volunteers is a free riding lesson for anyone who has done five volunteer sessions. Adopters also come from outside the program.

“When somebody wants to adopt a horse, they have to come and spend time with him and test ride him,” says V-Abdallah. “We want to make sure it’s a good match. We try to be super honest about the horse and his ability.

“Local adopters can also receive additional riding lessons at a reduced rate,” she adds. “The program takes horses to shows and endurance rides and invites adopters to take part.”

The rescue also has specific needs.

“We always need horse sponsors and donations for hay,” she says. “Hay is the hardest thing to find donors for.”

LTH has grown a lot since 2016, when they rescued 11 horses and found homes for two of them. In 2019 alone, LTH took in approximately 110 horses and found adopters for 80 of them.

For more information on Love This Horse Equine Rescue, visit www.lovethishorsearabianrescue.org.

This article on Love This Horse Equine Rescue appeared in the March 2020 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Love This Horse Equine Rescue: An Innovative Rescue appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

USEF CEI2* Endurance National Championship

Taking a five-loop tour equating to a ride of 120.7 kilometers around Broxton Bridge Plantation, competitors in the two-star divisions made light work of the course. In the USEF CEI2* Endurance National Championship, Marcia Weilbach of Brooks, Ga., and Zanthus Fury took home top honors. Weilbach and her 14-year-old Arabian gelding finished the ride in a time of 06:45:25 with an average speed of 17.8 kilometers per hour.

“It is such an honor to win a national championship title, especially when you know that everyone participating is every bit as eager as you to bring that title home,” Weilbach said. “It is humbling to realize that it is only through God’s grace that we are able to physically do what we need to do to achieve such honor. What we ask and receive physically and mentally from our horses is truly so amazing; they are the stars, not us.”

USEF CEIYJ2* Endurance National Championship

In the USEF CEIYJ2* Endurance National Championship, Reine Pagliaro of Swannanoa, N.C., and Beautiful Knightmare were crowned the national champions. As the rainy weather continued leading up to the start of the CEIYJ2* ride, Pagliaro adjusted her plans after consulting with her trainers and mentors to take a slower pace with Mary Kathryn Clark and Kathryn Clark’s nine-year-old Arabian gelding. The pair finished in a time of 13:44:56 with an average speed of 8.8 kilometers per hour.

“We started with a mindset of taking the time that we needed to get our horses though the whole ride safe, sound, happy, and healthy,” Pagliaro explained. “At the end of the ride, I was thrilled that we had changed our objectives for that day and focused on a strong completion. When I was first presented with the national championship title, I was truly shocked and hit with so many emotions. I felt excitement, accomplishment and gratitude for everyone who had helped ‘Beau’ and me along the way.”

USEF CEI1* Endurance National Championship

Riding in the one-star divisions with a course composed of three loops for a total of 80.6 kilometers, Cheryl Van Deusen of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., won the USEF CEI1* Endurance National Championship aboard her longtime partner, Hoover the Mover. Van Deusen and her 15-year-old Arabian gelding finished the ride in a time of 04:50:01 with an average speed of 16.7 kilometers per hour.

“The Broxton Bridge Plantation is a wonderful venue,” Van Deusen said of the competition. “The trail system is established, and the volunteers were absolutely wonderful. Hats off to Grace Ramsey for managing a great ride and to the USEF for their support,”

The inaugural title was a meaningful one for Van Deusen because she was able to partner with her homebred Hoover the Mover, who has found much success. The pair has topped the FEI Endurance Open Combination World Rankings in the past, and “Hoover” has close to 6,000 competitive miles to his record.

“To be champion in the CEI1* at Broxton and the recipient of the Best Conditioned Horse award by the veterinary team was wonderful,” Van Deusen said.

USEF CEIYJ1* Endurance National Championship

Sophia Carpentier of Pomfret, Md., and Perseveranze brought home the title of USEF CEIYJ1* Endurance National Champion. Carpentier, who began competing in endurance rides last year, finished the ride with Melody Blittersdorf’s nine-year-old Arabian gelding in a time of 07:13:25 with an average speed of 11.1 kilometers per hour.

“The ride went really well. Our goal going in was for me and Perseveranze (‘Perci’) to finish, which we did,” said Carpentier. “I was happy that we achieved that. The title is unexpected and exciting. And this achievement does not just belong to me; many people and horses helped me get here.”

CEI1* Team Champions

The team competition operated in a similar format to that of FEI Nations Cups. Only the top three scores from each team counted towards the team classification. At the end of the competition, the U.S. Southeast Team won the CEI1* gold medal. The team consisted of Van Deusen and Hoover the Mover; Rae Shumate-Tysor of Shelbyville, Tenn., and Kount Czester SWA, Misty McAdams’s eight-year-old Arabian gelding; Thomas Rajala of Hillsborough, N.C., and Hheartbreaker, his eight-year-old Arabian mare; and Shawn Polke of Lake Mary, Fla. and WMA Riversong, Mary Kathryn Clark and Kathryn Clark’s eight-year-old Arabian mare.

The CEI1* silver medal went to Mexico. The team consisted of Jose Luis Flores Morones and Nazeefs Flashy Rose, Van Deusen’s 12-year-old Arabian mare; Jose Enrique Partida Fonseca and Golden Lightning, Janice Worthington’s 19-year-old Arabian gelding; and Mercedes Acuña Tardis and Merlot MHF, Debra Lemmons’ seven-year-old Arabian mare.

The FEI recognized the overall order of finish with the top 12 combinations in each senior and young rider division receiving individual awards.

View CEI2*, CEIYJ2*, CEI1*, and CEIYJ1* results.

Keep up with U.S. Endurance by following USA Endurance on Facebook and US Equestrian on Twitter and Instagram. Use #USAEndurance.

The USEF International High-Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOPC, and USEF sponsors and members.

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