Arabian horses are the ultimate family horse. Their kind and inquisitive nature ensures they bond closely to their human stewards, while their versatility makes them suitable partners for an array of disciplines and owners, including children. Moxie Lou is four years old and lives in Brainerd, Minn. Braden is seven years old and lives in Holden, Mo.. Both of these young children adore Arabian horses and were eager to share a few words about this love and their experiences with the breed.
Moxie Lou Burton, Age 4:
(Emma) Tell us about yourself.
(Moxie Lou) My name is Moxie Lou, and I am four. I like to ride horses, practice and show. I like them best because they are pretty and have long tails. They like apples too that I smash with my boots.
(Emma) Who are the special Arabian and Half-Arabian horses in your life and why?
(Moxie Lou) I ride Dancer (Prussian Sundance), Pistal (Pistalerro WLF), and my horse Lex (Alexis Gold WLF). I like Lex because she has a pretty white face. Dancey Pants because he’s brown, and Pistal because I just do. Those are my favorite horses. I can't stop riding them. I love it so much.
(Emma) What are your goals with Arabian horses?
(Moxie Lou) To RUN! Actually no, to trot by myself. Then canter. When I grow up I don't want to sell any of them.
(Emma) What would you say to someone your age who is thinking of riding an Arabian horse?
(Moxie Lou) You should ride horses because it's really fun and the best to do with your mom. Our barn and Parpi are the best. She has chickens. (Sarah Paripovich Training)
(Emma) Parents, what has your experience of the Arabian horse as a Youth/Family horse been? Would you encourage other families to select the breed for their children and why?
(Steffani Burton, Moxie Lou’s Mom) We've had the most wonderful time with not only the horses, but the industry as well. All the barns are very welcoming, even at shows everyone is so friendly. As for the horses, you can tell they are very intelligent and kind. Quite often they know when they have a little on their backs. It's been amazing seeing our daughter grow into quite a little horse girl; we are very proud. She's outgoing, confident and loves doing this!
Braden Phelps, Age 7:
(Emma) Tell us about yourself.
(Braden) My name is Braden Phelps, age seven, I live in Holden, Mo.. I show in Halter and trail ride, mostly show in Halter.
(Emma) Who are the special Arabian and Half-Arabian horses in your life and why?
(Braiden) Jassirah is my Half-Arabian. She’s fun to ride, and I’m learning to show her Halter. Before I have shown Zorro’s Mystery in Halter, but he likes to zoom all over if I ride him. He’s like as fast as a Bugatti when he gallops. Jassirah is my favorite; she always comes up to me in the pasture, and she’s the one that really lets me pet her. Everybody else is just like heck with the kid.
(Emma) What are your goals with the Arabian horses?
(Braden) My goal with Jassirah is to have fun with her and maybe win some shows. I like to go to any shows as long as they have Halter that I can show her in. She’s too lazy to trot for me so I can’t show walk trot with her yet. I want to be a professional soccer player when I grow up and I want to have a really big barn. When I do, Jassirah can have a 20’x20’ stall.
(Emma) What would you say to someone your age who is thinking of riding an Arabian horse?
(Braden) If someone asked me about horses I’d tell them my mom has like a million horses that we train, ride, show and sell. I like going to big Arabian Horse Shows because there is a lot of stuff to do, and it is fun to stay in a hotel. My favorite discipline to watch is the cutting. I think Arabians look so pretty and athletic out chasing cows.
(Emma) Parents, what has your experience of the Arabian horse as a Youth/Family horse been? Would you encourage other families to select the breed for their children and why?
(Cassie Krahenbuhl, Braden’s mom) As a mom I would highly encourage parents to look into Arabian and Half-Arabian horses for their kids. The breed is so diverse. There is a discipline and type of horse within the breed for the whole family to enjoy. There is so much to enjoy within the breed from Sport Horses, to English Pleasure, Halter Horses and Working Western Horses. You can pick anything, and an Arabian can do it. The people we have met in the breed are some of the most wonderful people as well. To have top trainers in the industry truly care about the smaller barns and trainers is a very wonderful thing. It really becomes a family; everyone's in it because we love these wonderful Arabian Horses. What parent wouldn't want their kid to grow up in such a village?
Arabian horses are uncommonly kind and tend to be wonderful judges of character. This sensitivity and steadfastness makes them an excellent choice for younger children, whom they often excel at taking care of. The future of our breed lies in the hands of our youth. Moxie Lou and Braden are two great examples of this. Both have started early with their love of Arabian horses and look set to be lifelong ambassadors. Moxie Lou, Lex is very beautiful and your drawings too! Braden, you look wonderful, keep working hard with Jassirah! We can’t wait to see what the future has in store for these two young stars.
