ISO Half-Arabian little dressage nugget

[mvp]

[QUOTE=Sporthorse Shop;8632753]
They are out there. I feel the cross works better and more balanced though when the mare is the warmblood part. And I will second the Saddlebred/Arabian suggestions. I have seen some that I would have sworn up and down were warmbloods. Here is my gelding at 20 months at his first show, mare (Holsteiner/Saddlebred) and sire Arabian. I am buying the photo as I think it is a great one to add to my collection of him.

Scottsdale Arabian Show 2016

He was being a young stinker and was going through another growth spurt, but the judges saw a ton of potential and made comments like extremely athletic, great hip, great shoulder. He naturally moves off of his hind end and is really fun to watch loose as he is so balanced.[/QUOTE]

How old is your colt there? I’m trying to develop my eye for seeing good skeletons in young horses. Thank you!

[Sporthorse_Shop]

At that time he was 20 months and 3 weeks. His neck is longer than the photo looks, it seems like when he starts to shoot up again in the back, then his neck shortens. There are more photos if you use the buttons above the photo so you can see slightly different shots.

[Ammy]

I too want a little dressage nugget. I might breed mine, so I started a thread in the breeding section, but I’m open to buying the right young horse.

[ArabDiva]

I’m surprised nobody has mentioned the Arabian Sport Horse Alliance – search for them on Facebook, as well as the Arabian Sport Horse Alliance marketplace – lots of good advice, and many sport horse breeders/trainers hang out there.

[enjoytheride]

I’ve actually pulled my membership from a few breed focused FaceBook pages because of small groups of incredibly hostile people who can’t be pleased. I think it misrepresents the majority of people out there and anyone new to breed shows might want to form their own opinions first.

[Shagyas_Rock]

[QUOTE=mvp;8623493]
So these guys are a little more baroque (stockier build) than your average Arabian? Does that mean they have the pluses/minuses of the Andalusian body-type as it relates to strength and collection, but having a harder time with the extensions?

I don’t know much about Shagyas. I can do a search here. If you were breeding the ideal type of horse-- let’s say a little more balanced than buying the bunchy baroque body type-- what breed would you cross a Shagya with?[/QUOTE]

Apologies for not getting back to you sooner - I tend to jump on COTH at odd tines when I caught up on work. .
Shagyas are more substantial than your average purebred Arabian - bigger frame, more bone. They are inspected for breeding approval, as the warmbloods are, and this helps with quality control. Some Shagyas are quite baroque looking but it depends on the bloodline. There are several “families” - some bred for dressage and jumping, and some for endurance. The endurance bred Shagyas tend to be smaller and have a slightly larger percentage of purebred Arab in their pedigrees. The horses bred for the Olympic sports - dressage, eventing, show jumping - tend to look like warmbloods in an Arab suit. Heights range from 15 hands to 16.1, to fit a variety of riders.
Also their temperaments are super - they are not spooky or “hot” (though they aren’t cold, either) and very, very smart.

[FatDinah]

Here is a Facebook page you might find helpful.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/431399367056183/

[FatDinah]

Here is a Facebook page you might find helpful.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/431399367056183/

[DawnJL]

What size range are you seeking? Age? Gender? How far are you willing to travel?

[Ghazzu]

you might want to look at Crossen Arabians in CT.

[JBD]

[QUOTE=mvp;8623140]
The “ambassador” horse in my life to the Half-Arabian thing is a NSH-- the Arabian/Saddlebred cross. Love what’s between his ears. But I think he has in the hind end a lot of the problems that were bred into both of his parents’ breeds. He has lots of hock action, but it’s all out behind him. And standing there, he’s a bit straight behind. I don’t think collection and a lot of push from behind is easy for this conformation.

I mention this combination (Arabian and Saddlebred) because I wonder if this hind-end conformation comes from breeds selected for their trot (and maybe just an extravagant front end), and not bred to canter or jump. Do you guys worry about finding a hind end in an Arabian or Half-Arabian that’s good enough for dressage?[/QUOTE]

Yes, there are certain lines known for their trot that can be a little light in the rear. But there are lots and lots of good hips (I like big butts and I cannot lie) especially in many of the the Russian and Polish bred horses. I love my Arab/Saddlebred but my purebred western horse has an even better back end. I don’t want them unless they have a motor.
Have fun horse shopping!

[Charastev]

St Louis

[QUOTE=mvp;8632690]
Where are you?[/QUOTE]

We are based just west of St Louis. She’s about 45 min from the airport. She’s doing really well. We just put up new video on my FB page. Email me direct if you have any further questions at: charli@kittablu.com

[Halt_Near_X]

[QUOTE=ArabDiva;8644232]
I’m surprised nobody has mentioned the Arabian Sport Horse Alliance – search for them on Facebook, as well as the Arabian Sport Horse Alliance marketplace – lots of good advice, and many sport horse breeders/trainers hang out there.[/QUOTE]

I have to second that these groups do not always give off the best impression of the sport horse world, and as someone they scared off the breed world (well, compounded what I was seeing and hearing locally, giving me no reason to hope the breed world was better than the negative impression I already had), I wouldn’t recommend them to anyone who wasn’t already knee-deep in the breed world and friendly with the ones running the groups.

They may be great groups for the insiders, but a tool to recruit new fans they are not.

[JLR1]

[QUOTE=Halt Near X;8644767]
I have to second that these groups do not always give off the best impression of the sport horse world, and as someone they scared off the breed world (well, compounded what I was seeing and hearing locally, giving me no reason to hope the breed world was better than the negative impression I already had), I wouldn’t recommend them to anyone who wasn’t already knee-deep in the breed world and friendly with the ones running the groups.

They may be great groups for the insiders, but a tool to recruit new fans they are not.[/QUOTE]

I own and love an Arabian and sadly have to agree with this. There is a lack of substantive discussion in the groups…arguing over such things as mane lengths and bitching about national show venues…really!!! The breed world is its own “speshul” little world. Its not a place I want to be apart of anymore and have made the decision to promote the breed as best I can on the open circuit:).

[meaty_ogre]

mvp, you mentioned conformational requirements so you’re probably ahead of me here, but here’s a helpful article that addresses hindquarter conformation and specifically has good examples of preferable Arabian conformation for dressage, in case anyone might be interested:
http://www.equisearch.com/article/the-anatomy-of-dressage-horse-hindquarters

[Beentheredonethat]

I will jump in with Shagyas, too. Not a breeder or owner, but I bought my mare from a small time breeder, and I took her young shagya for awhile to put some miles on her. You would not mistake them for an Arab. They look like nice warmbloods. I agree with super smart and steady and tough. After a month of training, I went to a dressage show, and everyone was asking what kind of horse she was. I don’t know who the breeders are, but I think it’s a good place to look. I don’t know where this mare ended up, but someone ended up with a great horse.

[MyssMyst]

You might try checking with Wendye Gardiner as well. She usually has some horses for sale, although I’m not sure if she has any warmblood crosses. Pegasus Arabians has produced some nice sport-types as well.

[KLCarp]

I had a race track bred purebred Arab who was fantastic. Just over 16 hands, pretty stocky, and did great even in the open dressage shows. My only regret was that I wasn’t better at dressage when I had him - he was wicked smart and athletic, and I have no doubt he could have done 3rd level easily.

If you in CA, check out Paitience Prine Carr. She always had great Arabians and half arabs in the dressage ring.

[2Below]

mvp I have the perfect horse for you, but you can’t have him. I LOVE LOVE LOVE him, and one of his many nicknames is Nugget, because he is one. He’s Arab/SWB, 15.1 and we’re doing our second year at PSG, plus a 4th level freestyle. I got him 5 years ago he had never been off the farm he was born on, and he’s come up the levels with good scores against the big Open horses. I second the FB page Arabian Sport Horse Alliance, I see a lot of nice horses for sale on there, plus it’s a very supportive group, they love seeing these halfies going out and doing great things.

[mvp]

[QUOTE=Dawn J-L;8644585]
What size range are you seeking? Age? Gender? How far are you willing to travel?[/QUOTE]

I’m 5’1" so it can be under 16h. I think shorter than 15h might be too short. I really like the modern type with its long legs.

Gelding or mare is fine, so long as she’s still able/willing to put in an honest day’s work while she’s in season. I don’t mind a mare who has her own opinions so long as she has a work ethic; I think it’s reasonable to have to earn a horse’s trust and respect. It has to be a forward ride, no matter what.

I don’t have a strong opinion about age. I assume my budget means I’ll buy one that’s green. I have great help and I have made horses up before, so a project horse is fine. If it’s an older project type it must be sound; I’d like it to be a great mover. I can accept some holes in it’s education, as those can be fixed with patient, correct riding.

The tough part is that I’m in the PNW and I don’t want to travel really because I need to see/ride the horse in person. Now if you have a big ol’ Half-Arabian Dressage Horse Warehouse somewhere on the opposite coast, I’ll certainly travel for one-stop shopping at your mecca.