Difference in movement between a Thoroughbred and an Arabian

Question

What are some of the differences between the movement of a Thoroughbred stallion/gelding and an Arabian/Cheval-Canadien (Canadian Horse) mare?

What are the chances of the horses have very similar, if not not the same, movement? I've watched some videos of Arabians and Thoroughbreds on Youtube, but I'd like a second opinion.

I'm guessing it's not impossible, since I know of a Quarter Horse and an Akhal Teke that have the same movement.

But if you could describe the movement of a Thoroughbred and the movement of an Arabian/Cheval-Canadien (which is quite similar to a Friesian), how they differ, and how they are the same, that'd be great!

The information is for a story I'm writing, so it's really a theoretical question.

Thank you for your time!

Answer 1

Thoroughbred horses have Arabian genes in them. Personally I think they move similar but since an Arabian is much smaller, their gait/movement is much more graceful.

Answer 2

Every individual horse can have different movements depending on how sound and subtle he is...

The arabian horse tends to move with a spring as this breed has so much character and 'bounce' in it. The arabian is alert and full of energy and its movement is flowing.

The thoroughbred horse is built taller and more slender, therefore this horse tends to glide in its stride with less bounce than the arab. It is faster in the gallop and flighty in nature.

Research on google and you should find more info. Good Luck

Answer 3

Horses can vary within their breed, but in general there are some big differences between the movement of an Arab and a Thoroughbred.

Arabs tend to have a shorter stride than Thoroughbreds, and a more up and down movement in their legs.  They will lift their knees higher when they trot and canter.  Thoroughbreds will reach farther with each stride than an Arab, and have less high knees with each movement.  Watching horses on You-Tube won't make this as obvious, you would really benefit if you could see it in slow-motion.  Each lope stride of a Thoroughbred will be longer, they have a more sloped shoulder and they reach forward and flow forward, even when moving slowly.  An Arab's shoulder is shaped differently, they are atheletic but in a different way.  They will move more upright than forward.  An Arab's headset will be higher and more arched, a Thoroughbed will have a longer neck which will come out at a more level degree and straighter.

You asked about a Cheval-Canadian, which is simply the French way of saying "Canadian Horse".  The Canadian horse is Canada's official breed and looks a bit like a Fresian, or also quite similiar to a heavy set Morgan.  They are normally black in color, and have a fairly thick body and extremities.  Most Canadians will move like a Morgan, they will take a shorter stride, lift their knees fairly high (higher than an Arab in general) they will be heavier on their feet than both an Arab and a Thoroughbred.  Don't forget that Canadians are almost draft like in some areas, they do not have the long, flowing movement of a hunter under saddle horse such as a Thoroughbred.

Hope that helps.  Of course there are huge varieties within each breed - you can find Arabs out there that do Saddleseat and move with their knees so high they look almost like a Saddlebred, and then there are other Arabs that will move much lower and look more similiar to a Quarter horse.  It depends on their general conformation, what they were bred for, and how they are trained.

Answer 4

actually, arabians and thoroughbreds are close cousins. both have smooth strides and long legs. here's the difference though:

thouroughbred can go faster, but arabians can gallop forever. Amazing stamina.

arabian trots are usually more jarring and bumpy, too.

Answer 5

well both of them are not gaited breeds so I would imagine rather similar.