What’s new happening with WAHO? When and where will the next convention be? WAHO’s policy is striving for consistency. Our main aim is to guarantee the integrity of the purebred Arabian horse. Correct registration and the control and assistance for the proper maintenance of the corresponding studbooks have always been the main items in each WAHO meeting; held annually by WAHO’s Executive Committee or every two years by the General Assembly. We have reached out a little bit into the subject of welfare, which is in the mind of many people, and there are regrettably enough indications that the abuse of animals can be seen also in the Arabian horse world. Monetary interests and the drive for exaggerated profits are the main reasons, but also carelessness and insufficient knowledge. Therefore, in each General Meeting, guest speakers are invited to report on educational issues or the latest scientific progress, some with positive effects and others with possible long term negative consequences in the horse world. The next General Meeting is in preparation to be held in Doha, Qatar, in the fall of 2014, and the following one will be held in Australia in the fall of 2015.
Is the breeding style of Arabians in Europe and the Middle East different from that in the United States, and if so, how? In principle, the style of breeding in Europe and the Middle East, as well as in the United States, is generally the same. There are differences in the breeders’ aims and interests in keeping Arabian horses in whatever countries they live. Personally, I think there are two major groups. One is the large group of smaller breeders and Arabian horse enthusiasts who are just enjoying their horses, and treat and hold them as a hobby for themselves or for their whole family. Such lovers of Arabians exist everywhere worldwide, and form by far the majority. Maybe up to 80 percent, or even more, of all Arabian horse owners fall in this first category. w w w . AHTimes . com
A second group, a minority, has special interests, and there are several sub-groups. One contingent is looking to be successful in the show ring, and is keeping and breeding horses mainly for this purpose. They may have their own ideas of how to reach their goal. Another focuses on sporting events. This includes riding presentations, performance sports or even racing. And a third faction probably consists of horse owners who are heavily involved and concentrating on breeding Arabians in order to improve them, to change them according to their taste, or to save them as a heritage—each one “à son gout” [to his own taste]. Breeders of all these different interests can be found in each country where Arabian horse breeding takes place. If there is any difference in what is typically desirable in the United States, as compared to Europe, then it would be that Americans generally prefer a bigger and stronger horse.
Based on these differences, should there be more than one international standard for Arabians? What is your opinion as a breeder? I personally think there should definitely be more than one standard of Arabians. However, the reality is different. A show standard has already emerged, more or less the same type. All show-interested people look for such a standard Arabian, because it seems to be in high demand when it has a potential to win. However, such a development is not in line and desirable for the Arabian breed as a total population. Never in history has there been one Arabian standard horse, due to many circumstances, such as environmental factors or personal preferences. Everybody knows how many names of strains in history existed. Whether or not “strain” had something to do with certain types is a delicate subject, but it has definitely to do with preferences. So many horse breeders in history were collectors of certain strains and showed a special interest in them. A great variety of Arabian types makes the whole breed more interesting and attractive, and offers many alternatives in breeding and selecting. Standardization has the disadvantage of becoming more and more A r A b i A n H or se Ti m es | 35