Andalucian Horses! Tips please?

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BlueDiatomite

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Hello!

I'm in the process of buying a beautiful Andalucian gelding and I'm looking for a few pointers if anyone can help!

I'll be buying him a saddle - are there any makes that are more suitable for Andalucians or any not so suitable?

Also he's just currently fed haylage at the moment with no hard feed but seemed to be quite bloated when I visited him - could anyone recommend a good starting feed to help with condition but not make him gain lots of weight (he's a good doer!).

And if there are any other tips anyone would like to offer I am all ears! I've had horses for 10 years now, so I know the basics but I guess it's always a good idea to learn more :)

He's getting vetted next week and I'm so excited :D

Thank you!!
 
PRE/Andalusian horses are usually VERY good doers, so if he's being fed just haylage at the moment there is a good reason for it. Spanish horses are extremely sensitive to sugar, so keep that in mind when working out your feeding regime (and I'd be switching to hay rather than haylage asap). It would be a good idea to join or at least contact the BAPSH (British Association for the Purebred Spanish Horse) FB page or website; lots of nice, experienced people on there who would be happy to advise.

Saddles are a minefield; mine are in various makes depending on their individual shapes, but PRE's tend to be quite wide in the shoulders and can be difficult to fit if you (or your saddle fitter) are not experienced with their particular build.

Spanish horses are not for everyone, (definitely not for novices), they can be hot and reactive and are the most tuned in, sensitive and trainable horses in the world - so that can be a good thing, or a bad thing as they learn to do whatever you are telling them, so make sure you know what you want!
 
they are very good doers usually so watch their weight, as sugar free as possible diet.

I use a flexee finesse which doesnt seem to move on them, vogue worked well, ive heard other people using sue carsons, amerigo, wow saddle etc. Straight cut saddles seems to be best as they have huge shoulders but wide barrels.

They are normally hotter than hot but amazing animals! schooling normally consists of slowing them down and trying to stretch their topline out (not long and low so falling on the floor outline) which can help to reduce the sewing machine action. Get yourself with a Iberian expert for lessons etc and enjoy! They really are intelligent and beautiful! (dont let them learn any bad habits as they learn at hyper speed)
 
low sugar feed as others have mentioned, they can be alfalfa intolerant IME as well. Both of my lusitanos have been in my Wow saddle. They really can have metabolism like native ponies so be warned! Very intelligent and very trainable-which includes learning the wrong things very quickly. Nothing quite like them ime though.
 
Thank you so much everyone!
Yes I love their intelligence, currently looking for a trainer in the the north west too so I can get it right from the start - they're quite different to the warmbloods I'm used to!

The BAPSH is a good idea, i'll investigate it all this evening :)

Thank you again, I wish it was next week already!!
 
how exciting ! photo's are needed please :)
i have one , he came directly from Spain , i think he was only fed straw and hay so i had to be very careful and still do 4 years later.
he is diabolically naughty , disgustingly intelligent and absolutely AMAZING!!!!
you are going to have so much fun and when they bond with you which he will as they like one master he will do anything for you, they are also very gentle and kind and the power in them is unreal. xxx
 
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BlueDiatomite said:
I'll be sure to post some as soon as he arrives!! eeek!
Oooh he sounds awesome! Is that him in your avatar? :)
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hehe, no that's my little Arab Shadow, my OH is the occasionally proud owner of the worlds naughtiest PRE !
glad to hear yours has been in the UK for a while, it can be hard transition from Spain for them, i am looking forward to seeing the photo's and following your progress. x
 
He's a cutie!
Yes, we were planning on venturing out to Spain but probably best for the first one we own to have already acclimatized to the sunny UK!
Thank you very much :) xx
 
Yes to good doers, mine is 4 and is on a handful of alfalfa and pony nuts, just a token feed really.

I got mine when he was 6 months old and he's amazing. Everything I've ever wanted in a horse - except for his knees, but that was just really unlucky (and another very long story!)

Very excited for you and can't wait to see pictures! I'm on the BAPSH forum and there are some great people on it who always give very good advice. :)
 
Definitely low sugar. I do feed mine haylage but only very dry, more like hay. He is definitely a good doer. As others have said they can be hot and sensitive, mine is very sensitive but not too hot which is a good combination.

Cortez knows a lot about the breed and is totally right about them learning and remembering everything and quickly. Great when you get it right, could be pretty awful if you get it wrong lol

Becky Holden would be an excellent choice as a trainer :)
 
Yes Cortez has been super helpful!
I think the horse we're buying is similar with the hot/sensitive ratio!

Thank you Minkymoo, I'll be posting on there at some point over the next week - everyone does seem lovely on there I've just joined! :)

Spot_the_Risk take lots of piccies it sounds like it'd be a great day!
 
Someone I know bought one after a "holiday romance" in Spain. He was 9 when he came to live in the UK. Horse turned out to be a very good doer, as others have said, but poor chap was terrified of the farrier - might be worth either pre-warning your farrier or finding one experienced with the breed.
 
BlueDiatomite said:
Ahh okay! I've asked his owner and she said he was fine with the farrier but I'll be sure to take extra caution when he comes for the first time! :)
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Oh good, but please be careful as there is little regulation in Spain so almost anyone can chop away at their feet. Sounds like you're on to a good thing !
 
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