Andalusians- your experiences

[CanteringCarrot]

Oh I completely left out the hooves! How could I forget. Especially due to the sh*tshow my horse went through.

Bottom line is that if you have a good trimmer or farrier that can trim according to conformation and keep the hoof shape appropriate for that individual horse, then you're good.

There's nothing hugely special, and mine does well unshod as does the other one at the yard, and most that I know, now that I think about it.

Their hooves are generally bit more upright (again, suits the horse) and this is for a few reasons, but of course things can vary a bit from individual to individual.

Same with feeding. No question that they should be on a very low sugar and starch diet, but look at the individual in front of you. Start with appropriate vit/mins and go from there. Mine sometimes needs a bit more so Agrobs Wiesenflakes and Alpingrün müsli usually does the trick. Sometimes with linseed or Brewer's Yeast. When he's on grass, typically the flakes and vit/min is fine. He's in regular work, when not in work, just the vit/min and limited grass. He's not an insanely good doer, but eats less than most at the yard, aside from ponies.

Here's a little blurb on hoof stuff:



Edit: apparently this post isn't useful ?

 

[ycbm]

My mare's feet, British bred, never shod, are awesome rocks!
.

 

[tallyho!]

Still more generalisations and I guess I now know what that feels like ?

I just love the PRE, they are all completely different! Can I be honest and say they are literally the cob of Spain? Even the ones that like to move their legs rather than body… will absolutely move their body… you just have to ask!! I’ve had some slightly frustrating moments and almost every time we crack something I get the “oh you mean this?”

Oh and hooves… genetically speaking you get the lowland marsh hooves and the mountain hooves hence the upright hoofed generalisation. The mountain types are obviously the ones that are more pleasing looking and the marsh ones were always slightly smaller types… that’s not to say they were not interbred in historic times. You can’t even predict by bloodlines which you will get or how extreme. I promise you though if you get a good trimmer and leave them barefoot (diet willing!) you will get hooves that sound like they’re shod.

If you’re serious, have a chat to BAPSH or GBPRE and buy Sylvia Lochs “The royal Horse of Europe” and also Juan Llamas “Horse of Spain”. This will help you masses.

 

[marmalade76]

Still more generalisations and I guess I now know what that feels like ?

I just love the PRE, they are all completely different! Can I be honest and say they are literally the cob of Spain? Even the ones that like to move their legs rather than body… will absolutely move their body… you just have to ask!! I’ve had some slightly frustrating moments and almost every time we crack something I get the “oh you mean this?”

Oh and hooves… genetically speaking you get the lowland marsh hooves and the mountain hooves hence the upright hoofed generalisation. The mountain types are obviously the ones that are more pleasing looking and the marsh ones were always slightly smaller types… that’s not to say they were not interbred in historic times. You can’t even predict by bloodlines which you will get or how extreme. I promise you though if you get a good trimmer and leave them barefoot (diet willing!) you will get hooves that sound like they’re shod.

If you’re serious, have a chat to BAPSH or GBPRE and buy Sylvia Lochs “The royal Horse of Europe” and also Juan Llamas “Horse of Spain”. This will help you masses.

Mine must be a marshland one, she's little, 15h and her feet are not upright.

 

[sz90168]

Thank you everyone for your responses, very helpful . The ones I’m looking at are British bred as I have heard a few issues with some Spanish imports. It is also now a lot more expensive to import.

I think I will go for it, just need to decide which one ?

 

[shortstuff99]

Which studs if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Inda]

I adore my 5 year old mare, but we’ve just entered the 5 year old Kevin stage. Life is never dull with her.

Her paces are to die for, but I got her for her personality. She is the favourite of the yard, constantly kissed and cuddled by the other liveries.

They were described to me as a horse version of a border collie. Smart, focused and opinionated. After graduation the first thing I did was buy a border collie.

 

[palo1]

I used to ride a few of these wonderful beasties and loved the responsiveness, the intelligence and their pride/nobility. As well as their good looks of course! I always thought I would be able to buy one but sadly I can't see that happening (at least not for a few years!). But over the years I have come to understand that they do need careful management because they are really good do-ers and they probably need a fair bit of work to stay happy; there aren't huge numbers of people in the UK (not including professional riders) that have the time to keep them mentally and physically occupied. Having said that the horses I knew were pretty 'easy' and laid back to manage and I have a native who needs similar levels of work to stay properly mentally and physically well. I hope you find a lovely horse!

 

[Abi90]

Thank you everyone for your responses, very helpful . The ones I’m looking at are British bred as I have heard a few issues with some Spanish imports. It is also now a lot more expensive to import.

I think I will go for it, just need to decide which one ?

Can I recommend Mandy at Millpark Andalusians? I worked for her as a teenager to a young adult and not only is she lovely but all her horses have the best start and are very well behaved

 

[Caol Ila]

Can I recommend Mandy at Millpark Andalusians? I worked for her as a teenager to a young adult and not only is she lovely but all her horses have the best start and are very well behaved

With 20/20 hindsight, I should have bought one sight unseen from them.

 

[Abi90]

With 20/20 hindsight, I should have bought one sight unseen from them.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but you’ve had an interesting life experience out of what has happened, even if it is overwhelming at the moment. If you do decide to start again though I can 100% recommend Mandy, even unseen

 

[Ceriza]

Can I recommend Mandy at Millpark Andalusians? I worked for her as a teenager to a young adult and not only is she lovely but all her horses have the best start and are very well behaved

I have two PRE mares bred by Mandy and can thoroughly vouch for their upbringing and temperament

 

[Jellymoon]

I have never owned one, but I have ridden a few and they are lovely. I would def have one.
I wouldn’t discount a Spanish import from a reputable UK dealer/producer though. I think if you want to buy British bred you would be looking at buying very young indeed, like foal/yearling even. There aren’t many older ones bred in the UK for sale. Which is fine if you don’t mind a real baby.
There’s a really nice couple that produces lovely ones and people talk about how good they are. Is it Esperanza or something? They used to live near me but have moved to Surrey I think...someone on here will know...!

 

[shortstuff99]

I have never owned one, but I have ridden a few and they are lovely. I would def have one.
I wouldn’t discount a Spanish import from a reputable UK dealer/producer though. I think if you want to buy British bred you would be looking at buying very young indeed, like foal/yearling even. There aren’t many older ones bred in the UK for sale. Which is fine if you don’t mind a real baby.
There’s a really nice couple that produces lovely ones and people talk about how good they are. Is it Esperanza or something? They used to live near me but have moved to Surrey I think...someone on here will know...!

It is this stud https://www.facebook.com/esperanza.dressage/

They have some really nice horses! Their awesome GP stallion is currently for sale if you have a really good budget!

 

[Jellymoon]

It is this stud https://www.facebook.com/esperanza.dressage/

They have some really nice horses! Their awesome GP stallion is currently for sale if you have a really good budget!

Yes, that’s them! Heard great things about them.
Also Star Andalusians (Sam Tilley is it?) is supposed to be a v good breeder. and another girl who’s name I can’t recall, has just started importing nice allrounders that she jumps as well, Classic something?
I probably wouldn’t dare going to Spain myself to choose one, but at least if one has been over here for a few months and has been put through its paces and acclimatised, and you had it vetted by a UK vet, I think it would be ok...

 

[shortstuff99]

Yes, that’s them! Heard great things about them.
Also Star Andalusians (Sam Tilley is it?) is supposed to be a v good breeder. and another girl who’s name I can’t recall, has just started importing nice allrounders that she jumps as well, Classic something?
I probably wouldn’t dare going to Spain myself to choose one, but at least if one has been over here for a few months and has been put through its paces and acclimatised, and you had it vetted by a UK vet, I think it would be ok...

Yes Star Andalusians is very good, I have one by her old foundation stallion. I know the jumping one you mean Classic Spanish Horses but I don't know what her horses are like.

 

[littleshetland]

I'm so glad this threads still alive...I've got tacked up this evening at 8 o clock, took my Spanish lad out to the arena and had a golden 40 minutes with him. The sun was low, so the light was gorgeous, it's a warm summers night and I had my spanish guitar music on my equidance wrist speaker....heaven. I don't think he put a hoof wrong tonight - sorry to repeat myself, but they really are the loveliest of horses.

 

[Caol Ila]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but you’ve had an interesting life experience out of what has happened, even if it is overwhelming at the moment. If you do decide to start again though I can 100% recommend Mandy, even unseen

Yeah. It's an experience. Character building, except I don't need any more character. I got plenty. A closet to hide in, forever, would be ideal. Motherhood has turned my once sweet, tractable horse into a delightful combination of a helicopter mom and a BLM mustang, and there's a fair chance I will have to move her somewhere else. Miraculously. Maybe with a transporter beam, because no one's getting her onto a lorry, for a start.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

What is the strong fear and hesitation about buying from Spain all about? What are the benefits to UK bred?

 

[Jellymoon]

What is the strong fear and hesitation about buying from Spain all about? What are the benefits to UK bred?

I can’t speak for the OP, but for me, I’d prefer to go through the buying process in a language I fully understand, get the vetting done in the way I’m familiar with, and buy something that has already acclimatised to a very different lifestyle.
However, I wouldn’t mind if it hadn’t been bred in the UK.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I can’t speak for the OP, but for me, I’d prefer to go through the buying process in a language I fully understand, get the vetting done in the way I’m familiar with, and buy something that has already acclimatised to a very different lifestyle.
However, I wouldn’t mind if it hadn’t been bred in the UK.

You can do all those things in Spain. I also don't get the big "acclimatised" thing. I have and have known quite a few from Spain that have come to Germany. Yes, we also have lush grass. So you're careful and slow. Just like turning out any other good doer on grass for the first time/first time in awhile.

Some are a bit "timid" or not so in your pocket (they actually teach manners and boundaries in Spain, typically) or maybe ridden a different way, but if you're reasonably competent and aware you can tailor/adjust this as you'd like.

Perhaps some don't have the experience or knowledge about any of the above so it is easier to have someone else do it. I get that. Possibly less risk too, but maybe at a higher cost (£), but that's ok for some.

I've not had vetting issues, but I have seen people get themselves in a huge jumble over it, meanwhile they do an even lesser vetting in the UK than they would've in Spain, so then it's just odd. Usually I or friends that often buy can find a good vet (often a FEI vet - they have a bit more to lose) and so many sellers will video the entire process. You can then forward x-rays and the whole vetting to your local vet if you want.

I get that it's too much faff for some, and hey, a good horse is a good horse whether it was bought in Spain or the UK, it's just an odd attitude sometimes (not saying you, exactly) that there would always be incompetence in Spain, or all of these problems with the horses.

I don't know the specifics about importing animals now with Brexit, but I imagine it could he a hindering factor as well.

 

[shortstuff99]

Mainly it is the up to 30% VAT added to the purchase price now.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Mainly it is the up to 30% VAT added to the purchase price now.

Ah yes, I can imagine that would be a factor!


I am casually, very casually, shopping for a youngster (ideally 2 and below), and I'm not hugely partial to where it comes from (Spain or Germany). If I find what I like, here or there, doesn't really matter.

I am missing some horse related UK shopping (tack stuff) because I'm not interested in paying all that extra in fees now, so I can understand it working the other way too (UK buying from EU), with horses as well as their equipment.

 

[sunnyone]

What is the strong fear and hesitation about buying from Spain all about? What are the benefits to UK bred?

I spent just under 6 months at what was believed to be a respectable livery yard in Spain with other foreign owners and my own horses. I saw during that time amongst other things:
1: a noseband with spikes on the inside in use which were sharp enough to make the horse bleed and for it to need ointment on the wound for 1 week.
2.a stallion rear and throw the YO twice in the same spot in the school which was then taken back into its stable and thrashed for 25 minutes (immediately prior to the thrashing I was told to leave the area, but I hung around as I had left my bag in the building).
3. No vet treatment sought for a pony that was suffering with pneumonia as the livery wasn't going to pay the bill. The pony died.
4. The groom was only given 1 day a month time off because the foreign liveries insisted. I believe he was an illegal immigrant as well since he had to hide when the police turned up to inspect license.

Now in France, I bought a "Portuguese" horse who was actually Spanish. At 9 years old she had been through 9 homes in Spain and the very caring French dealer I bought her from. She took a long time to settle and trust me and my farrier.

Of course not all yards are the same but as they say "buyer beware" because animal welfare is definitely not of the same standard, in Spain.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I spent just under 6 months at what was believed to be a respectable livery yard in Spain with other foreign owners and my own horses. I saw during that time amongst other things:
1: a noseband with spikes on the inside in use which were sharp enough to make the horse bleed and for it to need ointment on the wound for 1 week.
2.a stallion rear and throw the YO twice in the same spot in the school which was then taken back into its stable and thrashed for 25 minutes (immediately prior to the thrashing I was told to leave the area, but I hung around as I had left my bag in the building).
3. No vet treatment sought for a pony that was suffering with pneumonia as the livery wasn't going to pay the bill. The pony died.
4. The groom was only given 1 day a month time off because the foreign liveries insisted. I believe he was an illegal immigrant as well since he had to hide when the police turned up to inspect license.

Now in France, I bought a "Portuguese" horse who was actually Spanish. At 9 years old she had been through 9 homes in Spain and the very caring French dealer I bought her from. She took a long time to settle and trust me and my farrier.

Of course not all yards are the same but as they say "buyer beware" because animal welfare is definitely not of the same standard, in Spain.

I could say similar things about experiences in Ireland, tbh. Even in Germany at times, so you could replace "Spain" with many other countries.

So your last statement,

"Of course not all yards are the same but as they say "buyer beware" because animal welfare is definitely not of the same standard, in Spain."

this is the lost important part. There are shite and downright sketchy yards in the UK too, even if the animal welfare standard is higher. There could be more cases of it in Spain, but I can't immediately jump to conclusions and discount them as an entire country. Not saying you are, but people do this.

It's like saying I don't want a dressage horse from the Netherlands because I was at stable and they were practicing Rollkur. Therefore, they (as a country) don't produce good dressage horses.

Sure, your post answers my question, and highlights the fact that we all have experiences that shape our perspective on certain matters, but it wouldn't turn me off from buying there, but a good anecdote nonetheless that reminds us to really have our eyes open when shopping for a yard or a horse.

 

[shortstuff99]

Ah yes, I can imagine that would be a factor!


I am casually, very casually, shopping for a youngster (ideally 2 and below), and I'm not hugely partial to where it comes from (Spain or Germany). If I find what I like, here or there, doesn't really matter.

I am missing some horse related UK shopping (tack stuff) because I'm not interested in paying all that extra in fees now, so I can understand it working the other way too (UK buying from EU), with horses as well as their equipment.

I would take a look at the Susaeta stud in Madrid they breed some amazing youngsters for dressage. Also Javier Larossa breeds the pearl horses for dressage, they are lovely.

If I had lots of money I would buy a youngster from Escalera they are just ?

 

[sz90168]

Can I recommend Mandy at Millpark Andalusians? I worked for her as a teenager to a young adult and not only is she lovely but all her horses have the best start and are very well behaved

Unfortunately Mandy only has this years foals for sale, her stock look lovely. I found two breeders so far that have older stock but very rare. Now I just need to find the time to see them as both are a fair drive away.

 

[Aperchristmas]

i was just thinking that. the one I rode had fairly "normal horse" paces. there are others that have no natural suspension to their working paces. in that way they remind me of Welsh Ds, who have a reputation for that knees up flashy trot but there are others with completely normal paces.

Mine was very Welsh-like actually come to think of it. No wonder I liked him and then my Welshie

Also the person who described them as being like a dog was also very true of mine, an overgrown one of course!

 

[Caol Ila]

Unfortunately Mandy only has this years foals for sale, her stock look lovely. I found two breeders so far that have older stock but very rare. Now I just need to find the time to see them as both are a fair drive away.

Out of curiosity, which studs?

 

[Mule]

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