When I have extra time, I sometimes like to look at horses that are for sale (as do a number of you out there!), and I usually head right for the Arab or Arab crosses. However, I noticed that lately, I have been checking out the QH's first. What is up with that???!!!!!
I am blaming it on Chelsi, Stephanie and BEC!!!!
I mean, what is not to like about them, right??? (The horses not the bloggers.... LOL!!!!)
("Patient Partner" by Barb McGee)
They are stout, and steady, and most appear to have a good head on their shoulders.
("Western Treasure" by Sharon Prestegard)
Oh, and hot guys like to ride them, which is more than I can say for the breed of my choice...Arabs...teeheehee!!!! Not that I am looking or anything (wink, wink!)!! I just put this picture up because I really like the intensity of the colors. I swear!!!! That and the horse is mighty fine looking, right????
("Leadin' In A Maverick" by Bill Owen)
There are two things that worry me though. Can they hold up to hard trail riding (stamina-wise and lameness-wise).....("Between Mountain Showers" by Jim Rey)
....And can I tap into my inner "cowgirl???"("Cowgirl in Red" by Terri Moyers)
I guess we will have to wait and see, eh????Hope you are all having a great week!!! I miss blogging...I really do! :)
17 comments:
I am with you! I always go for the Arabs and Paints but from time to time I take a look at the QH's! I love QH's and if I could afford it I would own one of each!
My sis always wonders if I am in the market for a new horse, I am always forwarding her a horse for sale from Dreamhorse or craigslist that I love!
LOL... *evil laugh* We've got you now, my pretty!! QHs RULE!!! I'd love to one of every breed but because I can only have one (or two) I go with QH's because they really are a breed for any need (which is actually the slogan for the Australian stock horse but b/c there are none of those guys around I'm going to use it for QHs. *sticks tongue out*)
I think with QH's you just have to be more selective about what bloodlines you pick and be ultra fussy about the conformation, bone, angles etc. I am sure that BECG would agree with me when I say that Hancock horses can do a hard days work and stay sound but so can other lines as well. Any of the ranch horse lines tend to hold up to a days work but again, it all comes down to the individual. I look for sires and dams that have held up a long time in the show ring because that is the true test of good genetics, it take a lot to stand up to that kind of stress and wear and tear and stay sound.
Mellie, you know I love both breeds. But when it comes down to sheer endurance, the Arabs win hands down. I mean, you have to look at how each breed was purposed. While many Quarters can work all day long, they'd still be hard pressed to show up an Arab on an endurance ride.
I love Quarters. My first job was at Slater Stables there in Olympia when they were switching from Quarters to Paints. I could rattle off a few names of each breed that I loved. And I love Casey too.
But...
My heart seems to belong to Arabs. And now they're getting hard to find for sale between your house and mine!
When I got back into horses a few years ago, I wanted a sorrel QH, no questions asked. However, I ended up with the next best thing...a sorrel Appy! ;) Pretty much the stock horse type that I like, with a very pretty head, too. I would love to own a Morgan someday, and a Mustang, and another Appy, and- a sorrel QH! :) By the way, I window shop all of the time, too!
Nice artwork to accompany this post, Mel!
Yeppers, always enjoy equine window shopping. :)
I like the QH, too, but I don't like it when they've been morphed into strange looking mini-Arnold Swarzeneger things with muschles buging out all over. It just looks so weird.
So are doing any real horse shopping noe?
~Lisa
(I meant to type 'muscles bulging'. lol!)
word verification: dierere
I love all the pictures you posted.
Never mind QH or Arab, how do I get the Marlboro man??
Great pictures with that post. Each breed has it's own strengths and weakness - I guess for what they lack in endurance they make up for with level headedness on the trail. I mean they really think things through (all that I have taken out on the trails at least) if they spook it's an honest spook and there is no fussiness or hyper activity, they take it as a job just like everything else.
Gotta say it...I love people and all their opinions. Remember...that's just what they are - opinions. Having said that, I am an individual that loves the horse, in general. I love all breeds, but I too, have my own preferences.
Okay, working for an equine veterinary clinic for the last 9 years, I've seen lots of different horses come through. Arabs probably do win in endurance, hands down. However, many of them are also a bit zingy - not all, but as a breed in general. Quarterhorses, Appaloosas, Paints, there's really not much of a difference these days are by and large a more solid and grounded mount, especially for outside. Now, if you look for a stock type horse with good bone, big geet, a head big enough to house their brain, etc. they should have no trouble holding up to years and years of rigorous trailriding. I agree with Step and Chels that certain lines tend to hold up better than others. The coloring is just the frosting on the cake - pick what you like. I say to choose a horse for the individual regardless of the breed, there are many good ones in all the breeds. T Walkers make good trail horses too, however some of them can be a little on the zingy side...TB's are beautiful, but I wouldn't want one for a trailhorse unless they were the exception to the breed. Morgans are tough, especially the old lines and they are long-lived, like the Arabs...so much fun horse shopping!!!! Good luck...are you searching for real???
Good grief!! Am I long-winded or what!?
Sorry...
Have you noticed that I can be a little opinionated about some things???
You know what breed is great? The Canadian Horse!! And I am not just saying that. I think I shall do a post on them! They are really solid boned, very sound, good minded, hard working, big, black and most are quite pretty as well!
Love the photos. There is something about a QH's butt that just looks good. I have Arabian, Arabian/Haflinger, Haflinger/QH, and Haflinger. I love each. All have differences but they all have a calmness in common, a laid back attitude and none of them get ruffled easily.
I say let the horse pick you, your heart will tell you if it's right.
Actually, my best friend has a Canadian Warmblood (a liver chestnut, so not always black). Quaila (the horse) is 21 and going strong. She's jumping 3', taking part in eventing. On top of that, when my friend got her, Quaila was a train wreck of a horse. At 16, she could barely stand, let alone walk! Now 5 years later, she's doing better than a lot of younger horses.
So Mellie...are you still pining away for Stretch??
~Lisa
Lisa-
The shock!!!!!(wink, wink!!!)
Yes, I am still pining away for Stretch. :) I promise to do a follow up post on this one by Saturday......
Are you really looking for a new horse for upi? :-) Maybe you need a QH-Arab, what's their catchy name? I know there is Anglo, Morab...
Late again here but always amused with reading on down the list!
I tend to love the Arabs and had such a wonderful one in my youth..he was built, I tell ya...he had brains and trail brawn.
I love my TB mare but she has some draw backs to the trail(me too) hieghts! we hate the cliffy type trails but...I am not sure I would enjoy them on a QH either!
Tell you the truth..I will love what horse I have...I loved Pantz sooo much..she is registered Appy with TB, ARAB and QH there you have it!
Fun to look around mellie,huh!
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