TO RIDE OR NOT TO RIDE That is the Question Written by Irina Stigler Stigler Stud, Italy

Good afternoon, dear friends!

Today I will try to dispel the enduring myth that it is undesirable to ride Arabian horses intended for a beauty show. The training of the finest Arabian horses is necessary. The important aspect is to know the basic rules of training and follow them.

Saddle Training

Saddle training of Arabian horses usually begins at the age of two and a half years. In Europe, the best time for training is Autumn until raining season. By the time it is saddle training, the Arabian horse should be well accustomed to cleaning, grooming, putting on a bridle, walking "in hand"; not being afraid of people (pre-saddle training for the young horse). Familiarize the horse with a saddle, and then introduction of the rider occurs gradually. Treat your horse calmly and gently, encourage. It is advisable the first time the young horse is saddled it should be done by a person who cares for it, the horse will experience less stress. Also, the horse gradually becomes accustomed to the reins; to ride freely under the saddle while maintaining balance. The maximum weight of a saddle with a rider for Arabian horses up to two and a half years must not exceed 60 kilograms. Training should be regular, moderate (1-1.5 hours per day). In training, the horse walks mainly in steps and trots. By the age of three years, the trained Arabian horse’s tendons will be very developed; its legs, back and neck will already have tone. However, we still stop at the same weight of 60 kilograms (a saddle with a rider), in order to not heavily load the unformed horse. And, I must repeat, there must be constant training, steps and trots, at least one hour per day. Continuous training.

For a four-year-old trained Arabian horse, the weight of the saddle with the rider may reach 80 kilograms and even up to 100 kilograms. This must all be done gradually. And, of course, on a trained horse. If the horse has not trained for a year, you cannot immediately begin with a weight of 80-100 kilograms. The best physical development of the horse occurs during training. The horse becomes accustomed to discipline. Systematic training does not overload the horse. If a horse feels uncomfortable while training, it begins to protect itself. It can be bad habits or removal of a rider, a bad mood of a horse. You should feel the mood of your horse. Over time, horses begin to enjoy training and they wait for classes with the rider. The horse’s heart, respiratory system and muscles begin to work more efficiently. The muscles of the neck and body become more flexible.

Entering the ring, a trained horse shows itself at a favorable angle. First, the horse is satisfied and demonstrates itself. The trained horse is elegant; moving from a step to a trot with no sharp angles. The movements are beautiful due to the group of muscles involved in horseback riding. The horse is accustomed to work flexibly. The muscle mass of a trained horse is different from a non-trained horse. In addition, trained horses exhibit a playful, charismatic mood in the show ring; however, they remain well-managed.

Horses with a soft back

There is such an erroneous opinion that the soft back of a horse under the weight of a rider will deepen even more. It is not true. When we ride a horse, all its muscles are strengthened. A soft back is acquired genetically, but by training we can strengthen or improve it. As a result of horseback riding, the soft back is leveled and the back muscles are strengthened, legs work and the neck becomes flexible. We all notice the horse is becoming more beautiful and their class is improving.

About the Author:

Irina Stigler has been an Arabian horse National Judge subsequent to 2005 and an International ECAHO A List Judge from 2012. She has been invited to judge many National and International Championships in addition to A and Title shows in the following countries: USA, Australia, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Belgium, Holland, Spain, France,

Poland, Italy, Finland, Sweden, England, Qatar and Russia. She is also an official Russian Delegate for the European Arab Horse Association ECAHO – Show, Sport and Registry Commissions. She is the organizer of two shows per year in Russia: St. Petersburg International Cup and the Russian Nationals. For the first time in USA history, Irina had the honour to be the first European judge nominated as “Favourite Judge of the Year” for two consecutive years in 2014 and 2015 by public vote in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. Irina Stigler began breeding Arabian horses in 1998. She acquired some excellent broodmares, mostly Russian and Polish related. Irina owns her own farm in Northern Italy surrounded by the beautiful landscape of a National Park. The farm is located between Milan (Italy) and Lugano (Switzerland) near the famous Lake Como. All of her horses have National and/ or International titles. Irina’s motto is: "The good horses of yesterday will produce the good horses of tomorrow". She uses outcrosses to different breeding lines. Irina is an excellent rider and has participated in endurance competitions very successfully. Stigler Stud is proud to announce it is a home of International Champions who are winning in shows all over the globe. Our home-bred horses are competing on the highest level in the Middle Eastern countries, Europe and Russia. Stigler Stud has an exclusive collection of mares: daughters of legendary Padrons Psyche as well as granddaughters of Monogramm, Ekstern and Laheeb. A wonderful background, an amazing present and a brilliant future. Come and visit Stigler Stud, enjoy and experience! www.stiglerstud.com info@stiglerstud.com Instagram.com/StiglerStud Facebook.com/StiglerStud