Andalusian part breeds - any advice please

JadeyB

JadeyB

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I am going to see a Andalusian part bred yearling colt with a view to buying him so does anyone have any advice of anything i should look out for conformation wise?
 
Depends what he's crossed with....?
I find it a hard breed to judge as a yearling anyway - will you get a chance to look at parents and/or any siblings?

I have a PRE x WB and I'd say he's a fairly even mix of the two conformationally - I can post a picture if it would be useful?

What ideally would you want the youngster for in the future?
 
Don't do it! Mines made me go grey early!

Just kidding, he's the most gorgeous little horse and I love him to death but boy has he been hit/sharp/challenging. He is also utterly wonderful when not being crazy. Conformationally I don't know I'm afraid. Mind is 3/4 Andalusian and 1/4 Welsh b pony. He has nice conformation, tiny amount of bone, think he gets that from the Welsh b side.
 
if he's (for example) crossed with an arab, wouldn't that make him an arab part-bred? ;)

Some Andy lines are sharp, some less so. IMHO Iberian youngsters are not always the prettiest either and can look very narrow. I would look at movement-make sure he moves straight in front (some dish/paddle and it's not always fixable) and that he's not too straight in the hind leg. Some can be very short backed so be realistic and what sort of height he'll make and what you are. All things that are harder to assess in a yearling! Dishing etc may not bother you and plenty of people will say they've had one with no issues but a lot depends on what you want him for down the line.
 
I probably should have said what he's bred with! :) He's 3/4 Andalusian, 1/4 Holsteiner. In the pics he looks a little short in the neck but it's really hard to tell for sure. I'm hoping to spend a few years getting to know one another and doing lots of ground work when he's ready because right now i don't have the time to commit to riding regularly... long term i'd hope to just do local showing and unaffiliated dressage. The owner said his mum was sold recently so i wont be able to see her but she has some half siblings i can see.
 
That sounds a nice mix. Most young andys look short in the neck as they tend to hold themselves very upright, so it wouldn't be something that would worry me :)

If it's intended for you to bring on yourself and keep long term then just make sure you like his personality, but don't get hung up on temperament because there's no guarantee that won't change dramatically, but as long as you like him and he makes you smile....

Although a mix, mine has a very typically Andy temperament - quirky, brave, clever, playful, and both very emotionally expressive (over seemingly little things) and prone to internalising (over things that are actually a bigger issue). I think they are utterly fabulous :D
 
JadeyB said:
I probably should have said what he's bred with! :) He's 3/4 Andalusian, 1/4 Holsteiner. In the pics he looks a little short in the neck but it's really hard to tell for sure. I'm hoping to spend a few years getting to know one another and doing lots of ground work when he's ready because right now i don't have the time to commit to riding regularly... long term i'd hope to just do local showing and unaffiliated dressage. The owner said his mum was sold recently so i wont be able to see her but she has some half siblings i can see.
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Very hard to tell at this age with the Iberians... I think 2yo is when you really start to see what they will become. Short backed as a yearling, may well be long backed and short necked now may become long necked. They mature slowly and so do Holsteiners. The only advice I can give is look at the family tree pictures. Research the bloodlines to see what he may look like at this age and what the progeny eventually look like. If you can.
 
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This is my lad age 6
 
So i REALLY liked him!! He was very friendly, inquisitive and is well handled... he was very interested in checking me out, from wanting a scratch to chewing on my boot heel! :)

The trouble now is trying to find somewhere to keep him, not many yards will take on babies! Plus a few horsey friends have told me that i'm mad for tinking about taking on a yearling! What to do! Argh!
 
I have a connie x andalusian, he's gorgeous but very naughty, he's too clever and can be a right handful when he gets hyped up. When he's being good he's amazing - brave, trustworthy, calm etc. Love him to pieces but he's not everyone's cup of tea!
 
I have a PRExTB who is sharp as anything but ironically is like the plodiest sharp horse in the world! I love her to pieces she's like a giant Labrador but is probably not for the faint hearted! I do find with the PREs that they do like to form a one to one bond with a person.
 
JadeyB said:
So i REALLY liked him!! He was very friendly, inquisitive and is well handled... he was very interested in checking me out, from wanting a scratch to chewing on my boot heel! :)

The trouble now is trying to find somewhere to keep him, not many yards will take on babies! Plus a few horsey friends have told me that i'm mad for tinking about taking on a yearling! What to do! Argh!
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What did you decide OP?

I have two PRE's although both are purebreds. But both are totally different to each other! One (gelding) is super hot, sensitive, quirky, very talented and a winning machine but not an easy ride and not most peoples cup of tea (sadly due to bad treatment in Spain). The other one (stallion) is the total opposite! he is chilled, calm, super brave and super easy! he's just had an operation with 3 months box rest and I go the go ahead to start walk work and I got straight on without lunging! he was a plod. They couldn't be more different. But most are not quiet like that! I did spend a long time searching for one like that after my spooky one.

You will LOVE him! they have the most adorable sweet temperaments and above all they just want to please. Both of mines main objective is to just do what is asked....even though they're not the same, there overall objective is the same. Neither are 'naughty' and would never dream of bucking etc to be evasive.

A dream breed! I will never go back.

Good luck :-)
 
Unfortunately it wasn't meant to be, i tried everywhere and everyone i could think of but no one could or would take a young horse, especially a colt/recently gelded one :( I still really like the characteristics of the breed though so am hoping that when i have more time and money i can get an older one.
 
JadeyB said:
Unfortunately it wasn't meant to be, i tried everywhere and everyone i could think of but no one could or would take a young horse, especially a colt/recently gelded one :( I still really like the characteristics of the breed though so am hoping that when i have more time and money i can get an older one.
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Oh such a shame :(

Whereabouts are you based? There may be a breeder nearby. Check BAPSH.co.uk or they have a facebook page. They register pure & partbreds and there are lots of both types around in the UK doing allsorts. It's definitely worth going to a stud and getting to know the breed. You never know, they might be reducing stock so you could get yourself a good deal. Oh, there is also a pure & partbred sale page on FB somewhere.
 
shortstuff99 said:
I have a PRExTB who is sharp as anything but ironically is like the plodiest sharp horse in the world! I love her to pieces she's like a giant Labrador but is probably not for the faint hearted! I do find with the PREs that they do like to form a one to one bond with a person.
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I too have a PRE x TB by Averroes III and sounds much like you describe. Completely dual personality, sharp as a tack to ride but hugely talented even at 6. Very 'aware' and intelligent she almost thinks she's a person, but the sweetest girl in the stable. Ive had her since a just broken 4yr old and it has been a huge learning journey but i worship the ground she trots on.

I think PRE's (andulsians) aren't for everyone as they are usually very intelligent and sensitive as a breed.

Good luck OP
 
lula said:
I too have a PRE x TB by Averroes III and sounds much like you describe. Completely dual personality, sharp as a tack to ride but hugely talented even at 6. Very 'aware' and intelligent she almost thinks she's a person, but the sweetest girl in the stable. Ive had her since a just broken 4yr old and it has been a huge learning journey but i worship the ground she trots on.

I think PRE's (andulsians) aren't for everyone as they are usually very intelligent and sensitive as a breed.

Good luck OP
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Personally, and no slight on your comment and experience Lula, the statement "they are not for everyone" does the breed a dis-service and perpetuates a reputation that these horses do not deserve. No horse is for everyone. Like tb's are not for some people and neither are Shires.

You may get certain "lines" that have inherited such sensitivities and "intelligence", and some people seek these. However, there are many "lines" and sires and mares with exceptionally straightforward temperaments. Having been to spain and visited studs there and on home ground, I can assure you that the majority of PRE's are laid back and calm characters.

In Spain, they are the only horse that does everything. Go round up cattle, be rides for novices, be rides for professionals and still carry toddlers to a fair.

They are the "cob" of Spain. Albeit the Rolls-Royce of cobs. I am sure some would disagree with me and make them out to be some fantasy crazy loon. The majority really are no more than the former. They are fantastic all-rounders.

You can never say their feet are great or not as they descended from marsh horses and hill horses so it depends what genes they have inherited.

If you are yearning for more, read Sylvia's book "The horse of Europe" and Juan Llamas' "The Horse of Spain"... there you will find the truth about spanish horses. Next time you go on holiday, go to Andalusia and spend some time with some reputable breeders. Highly recommended! :D

Enjoy your PRE... there is a certain je ne sais quoi about them... once you have a spanish horse, I'm afraid, thats it for all the others ;)
 
Spanish horses are working horses, they need to occupy their brains, whilst very generous, and willing to be trained they are mainly suited to experienced riders, many part breds are super intelligent, ultra sharp, bold brave and not for the fainthearted, they are, after all is said and done, for bullfighting and working on the cattle farms and have moves like no other horse, they have to save the rider. they deserve a trainer as good as they are because there is so much ability within them to come out, only horses registered with the proper stud book can be called hispano arabe, as this is a breed, not any old part bred arab.
 
tristar said:
Spanish horses are working horses, they need to occupy their brains, whilst very generous, and willing to be trained they are mainly suited to experienced riders, many part breds are super intelligent, ultra sharp, bold brave and not for the fainthearted, they are, after all is said and done, for bullfighting and working on the cattle farms and have moves like no other horse, they have to save the rider. they deserve a trainer as good as they are because there is so much ability within them to come out, only horses registered with the proper stud book can be called hispano arabe, as this is a breed, not any old part bred arab.
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Sorry.. bull poop!!!! What on earth?
 
Having trained, worked and owned Spanish and Lusitano horses for nearly 30 years I have to say that Iberian horses are very, very far from being the "cobs" that Tallyho says they are. I have had literally dozens of PRE's and Lusitanos that were here as a last chance saloon after their owners failed to get to grips with their unique character and riding requirements. Many were seriously messed up by uneducated riding and not all were fixable. A lot of riders not used to the breed are frightened by the Iberian horse's sensitivity, reactiveness and need for precise riding - the horses are frightened by this too. Of course not all Spanish/Portuguese horses are like this, there are dobbins who are perfectly happy slopping along, but as a breed they are not the easiest and I would caution anyone thinking of getting an Iberian horse to do lots of research and try out a few before taking the plunge. I wouldn't have anything else, but then I am not interested in a quiet life.
 
lula said:
I too have a PRE x TB by Averroes III and sounds much like you describe. Completely dual personality, sharp as a tack to ride but hugely talented even at 6. Very 'aware' and intelligent she almost thinks she's a person, but the sweetest girl in the stable. Ive had her since a just broken 4yr old and it has been a huge learning journey but i worship the ground she trots on.

I think PRE's (andulsians) aren't for everyone as they are usually very intelligent and sensitive as a breed.

Good luck OP
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You didn't happen to get your mare from Long Drove did you?
 
shortstuff99 said:
Aha I think I know who she is then! She's half sister to my mare (out of the same mare) nice to know she's doing well :)
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Yes you probably do. Was your mare's dam Sharp Shot (tb)? Averbelroes is my girl's name and yes she is doing very well! I know her breeder also has a gelding out of her who would be either your mare's half or full sister.?
 
Cortez said:
Having trained, worked and owned Spanish and Lusitano horses for nearly 30 years I have to say that Iberian horses are very, very far from being the "cobs" that Tallyho says they are. I have had literally dozens of PRE's and Lusitanos that were here as a last chance saloon after their owners failed to get to grips with their unique character and riding requirements. Many were seriously messed up by uneducated riding and not all were fixable. A lot of riders not used to the breed are frightened by the Iberian horse's sensitivity, reactiveness and need for precise riding - the horses are frightened by this too. Of course not all Spanish/Portuguese horses are like this, there are dobbins who are perfectly happy slopping along, but as a breed they are not the easiest and I would caution anyone thinking of getting an Iberian horse to do lots of research and try out a few before taking the plunge. I wouldn't have anything else, but then I am not interested in a quiet life.
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Do you think Cortez you might be a bit biased because people send you the tricky ones while the easy ones don't have problems so you tend to see less of them?
Am not an expert at all but my family has 2 PREs imported from Andalusia and there are both easy horses. The mare is a bit sharp, but an easy ride. She was bought as a 4 years old for a 12 years old girl out of riding school, and the both of them have done really well and are regularly out competing show jumping a few years later. The gelding was trained for spectacle (can lay down, spanish walk, rear on command, etc...). At 7 he got cast in his stable and damaged a tendon in a hind leg so he was gelded and after complete healing he was sold to a beginner rider for a leisure horse life. The old owner couldn't believe how good he was for the beginner and he has been a doddle since, never reared up or done anything wrong. He does look cobby as he is a more baroque type (although he has a very straight and correct action), a stallion neck and the cutest little pony head. He is about 15hh. The mare is a more modern type with a bit more legs and height.
 
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