EXCELLENT article on Arabian type

[ClickMini]

I just found a copy of Arabian Horse World, Special Edition, Summer 2008, at my local feed store and picked it up, mainly for all the pretty pictures. LOL

One of the articles is "Dishes and Tabletops - The Evolution of Arabian Type," by Betty Finke. Wow! It is a very instructive and valuable article, in my opinion. It definitely gives me a better idea of what I would look for in a prospect for my program. I would say that if you can get your hands on a copy of this magazine, you should definitely get it. Mine will be safe on my bookshelf, as a reference for the future.

While it is written about Arabian horses, the basis of the article is how you would select and develop any characteristic for any breed. Since the horses that are winning big in the show ring today at least give a nod to Arabian type, it is even more applicable to our own breed. It also drove more questions for me. If the B division of AMHR contains a LOT of Shetlands, are the judges looking at Shetland type, or Arabian type, or ???? Are people trying to breed Shetlands that also display characteristics of the Arabian? Food for thought, and I believe this article made me a little more educated on these questions and others.

Just wanting to share something I thought was good!

Edited to add a link to the magazine, which is still available for purchase from the publisher. http://www.arabianhorseworld.com/current-special-ed.asp

 

[lyn_j]

Thanks AMy this is great.

Lyn

 

[attwoode]

I saw this article too and thought it applies to minis also. Loved the mare they used as an example.

 

[Annabellarose]

What was the mare's name, if you don't mind?

 

[Boinky]

I don't know that shetlands are araby per se BUT they do indeed have charachteristics that are closer to arabs than many mini's.. such as the longer thinner neck that can arch up and out. they tend to have flatter croups and are overall "generally" a bit more refined than many "pure" mini's. some lines tend to have very tight hooky ears. If you want a horse to look a certain way those charachteristics have to come from somewhere hence shetland influence.

 

[attwoode]

What was the mare's name, if you don't mind?

Focus Jaleesa was her name. Ahhh, if only they made her in miniature!