Well, I was looking at a little Arab mare for sale she looks like a cute hunter prospect with oodles of potential that I can work with. I know that some breeds aren't really looked at unless they stand out in the hunter ring. Ex Appaloosas (or so I hear) From my past years in showing I haven't seen many Arabs in the hunter ring (Silver Level). I was wondering if this was because people haven't had many arabs suited for the hunter ring or the judges just don't look at them so there's not much point? I'm just curious because I know the warmbloods are generally the majority in the hunter ring.

I think the reason you don't see many is because conformationally, most arabs aren't built to jump and rarely have the headset the hunter judges are looking for, if you find one that meets all the hunter 'guidelines' then I say go for it. Also, I know of a few welsh/arabs that are competing at the silver level or above and placing.

Generally arabs have a 'deer-like' jump as they have a WAY higher head/neck set than the typical TB or Warmblood (or cross of).

I own a 1/2 Arab (1/4 saddlebred, 1/4 appy) who does not have a hunter style jump. I have actually never done any serious hunter shows with him. However, arabs are known to have a FANTASTIC attitude, albeit, sometimes can be a tad 'hot'. All this does depend on the character of the horse itself, and it's up-bringing! My gelding is SO sane, and SO friendly, and will try his heart out for me. Also, arabs have a GREAT trot So... even if the hunters don't suit for this mare, you will gain in a great, smart, and friendly horse! You could also try eventing her

...That might have been a bit mumbled... but I hope I got the point across.

I bought an arab large pony in the spring; super little hunter trot; not a good hunter jump (has to contort himself over a jump that is a foot and a half high lol). Generally; Arabs do jump deer like and/or inverted. That being said; I know a few welsh/arab ponies that are extremely successful on the silver circuit. There is an exception to every breed; if the mare jumps square and round, has a nice flicky trot, and the stride to make it down the lines then you are good to go!

Meet Moon Mist, could not do trillium on the fact has not so optimal conformation in the hind end and does NOT swap leads. Always places in the hunter ring under all but 1 judge. Not hunter type, she's 15 hh, cute little trot, cute little jump, great schooling hunter, 12 foot stride not gonna happen. Really not a what you would expect a hunter to be but gets the job done every time.

If the horse you are looking at is tall enough and can fake "No, I am not an arab" then buy the horse and enjoy that horse. If the horse has hunter jump, hunter movement and is tall enough then they will do well in the hunter ring.

I bought this girl based on personality not conformation, the fact that she can pack a kid around the ring since she was 4 is just a massive bonus. She is one of those irreplaceable horses that will never be for sale.

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Thanks Guys! She does have a little bit of a bouce to her step coming up to the fence (she rushes and isn't too use to jumps yet) but do you think the jump with smooth out once I do a little work with her and her issue of rushing? Or do you think it's just a breed thing and cutting out the rushing will make it better but over all probably won't cut out the bouncy little jump? She just seems a bit excited and fresh (I think it might have something to do with the ratio of how much grain she is on to the amount of work she is currently getting) I might be taking her out on a trial if she goes well next ride. So I'll get to work with her a little more and adjust her feed a bit maybe. Omg horse buying is tricky lol

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