Criollo appreciation thread

[greasedweasel]

@paddy555 to my shame I've been meaning to email you for ages - no real excuse but managed to get married, move horse and in process of house moves (again!) - Boy looks well, is mini me good too?

For anyone interested I do try and keep the youngstock galleries up to date on the Chamfron Stud website - real mix of activities for the Arrayan youngsters, a couple are proving to have massive jumps and will BE this season. Plus the usual TREC, polo, tent pegging, hunting, western, endurance, man v horse, wrestling dragons and dancing pigs...

 

[rabatsa]

gw Treacle is still doing well.

 

[palo1]

@paddy555 to my shame I've been meaning to email you for ages - no real excuse but managed to get married, move horse and in process of house moves (again!) - Boy looks well, is mini me good too?

For anyone interested I do try and keep the youngstock galleries up to date on the Chamfron Stud website - real mix of activities for the Arrayan youngsters, a couple are proving to have massive jumps and will BE this season. Plus the usual TREC, polo, tent pegging, hunting, western, endurance, man v horse, wrestling dragons and dancing pigs...

Love the youngster updates!! They are wonderful ambassadors for the breed.

 

[greasedweasel]

@rabatsa excellent news

 

[paddy555]

@paddy555 to my shame I've been meaning to email you for ages - no real excuse but managed to get married, move horse and in process of house moves (again!) - Boy looks well, is mini me good too?

For anyone interested I do try and keep the youngstock galleries up to date on the Chamfron Stud website - real mix of activities for the Arrayan youngsters, a couple are proving to have massive jumps and will BE this season. Plus the usual TREC, polo, tent pegging, hunting, western, endurance, man v horse, wrestling dragons and dancing pigs...

equal shame on my part L, should have e mailed you. Will do so.

 

[Velcrobum]

I have ridden Crillo horses in Argentina and they are very sure footed and great fun. Also had the chance to ride a Paso which has a 5th gait which was brilliant fun especially in a Paso saddle which was little more than a leather pad. All were ridden in traditional gaucho saddles which are very different as you have zero feel of the horse underneath you. I got bronched off a horse but had no warning as I could not feel what it's back was doing. Played polo (in a polo saddle), herded cattle at speed plus all sorts of other rides.

 

[TheSubwayDino]

I am a criollo addict....
I thought it might be a nice idea to post a gratuitous criollo thread, just for the hell. There aren’t very many of these amazing horses around, but I know a fair few owners are on here, so let’s go. I’ll start. Pics in next post (hopefully!!) for IT incompetence reasons.

I own 3 criollos.

Pato (named after a game played in South America, translates to "Duck."). 14.2/3 dorsal stripe dun, age unknown but probably at least high twenties now. Uraguy criollo, went to Italy on the meat boat in 2007, bought off the dock in Italy by UK dealer, bought by me as a riding horse (let's not go there) in 2008 - totally wet behind the ears saw me coming sold a pup pig in a poke, fraudulent vetting...So he turned out to be broken in every way, traditionally broken with all the scars to go with that. He'd worked cattle, judging by his reaction to them. When sound, he was amazing, sensitive, sharp, brave, oh so clever. Also closed down, beligerent, owing the human race NOTHING. I can't tell you how much I learned from him. I hacked him for a few years, and I managed 1 fun ride, but he would NOT stay sound. . I still have him. He retired about 8 years ago and has the life of riley as a companion, doing his own thing. I love him dearly. He tolerates me, and we understand each other completely (which is something I had to earn). He is The Boss.

Tortuga. Turtle/tortoise. 14.2/3 Uraguy Bay, also came over on (same) meat boat in 2007 and bought by me in 2009 from a private seller (who had bought him from the same dealer as above). Thought to be 9/10 then, so early 20s now. He was totally different. Fearful, compliant, no confidence, very green, a bit of a blunt instrument as far as riding. Stop (mostly ok but sometimes very much not OK, waheeeeeey!!!), go, and go faster. Scared of his own shadow, heart of absolute gold. It took me years of work but he turned into a wonderful riding horse. I started out with him doing western, enjoyed western trail, then discovered TREC in 2013. We were National Champions at Level 1 Individual in 2017 and reserve National champions in Level 2 Individual the following year. I could not be prouder of him. He came from a horse that would self harm (tear at his own chest and legs) when asked to try to do anything outside his comfort zone (which was almost everything) to a solid as a rock TREC champion. He's sadly had to retire from TREC now, due to hock arthritis, but we still pootle out once or twice a week hacking. He is Second in Command, and enjoying not being Bottom of the Rankings. He secretly rather likes...

...Picaflor, AKA Hummingbird AKA Birdie. 3 year old criollo x American Paint. Her sire is Arayan Numa, known to some on here . Dam was imported from Montana, USA, Currently 14.2/3 (I know) but bum high, bay roan tobiano. What can I say? She's woken us all up, given us all a new lease of life, and will hopefully see me out (I'm old). The plan is she is my next TREC horse. So far she's done lots of groundwork at home, an in hand TREC training session, and a weekend away at Hartsop Farm recently (Intelligent Horsemanship HQ) where she was "joined up" and did groundwork and was introduced to long reining. We have another couple of outings in the diary, an agility day and another trec training. She'll not be backed until she's 4 1/2 - 5. She's proving to be a bit of a superstar, clever and brave, and very much like Pato in character but without the ruination of what he went through during his working life. I am enjoying her thoroughly, and she is seeking me out - leaving the boys, nosing into my business, bonding. She runs towards things that worry her...I have noticed the boys hanging behind her, and I suspect she will be lead mare before very much longer. Currently she is The Apprentice.

I would love to know what other criollo addicts (or chance owners, or ex owners) are doing with theirs. Hopefully pics in the next post.

Gosh, they're beautiful!!

 

[paddy555]

@paddy555 to my shame I've been meaning to email you for ages - no real excuse but managed to get married, move horse and in process of house moves (again!) - Boy looks well, is mini me good too?

For anyone interested I do try and keep the youngstock galleries up to date on the Chamfron Stud website - real mix of activities for the Arrayan youngsters, a couple are proving to have massive jumps and will BE this season. Plus the usual TREC, polo, tent pegging, hunting, western, endurance, man v horse, wrestling dragons and dancing pigs...

L, I've just emailed you to the Chamfron Stud e mail address. I hope it's still live???

 

[paddy555]

ASMP, I notice yours is a Uraguy too. I think The Dealer who Shall Remain Nameless preferred them. What is the name of your one, I may remember him...did you do any of the criollo club rides?

if you are talking about the Criollo farm/Monique then one who I think was called Salvadore a grey came to somewhere near me. I think that or something similar was his name. I trimmed his feet for them. He was the most amazing horse. I have never trimmed feet before or since for a horse that was so helpful and kind. He was really special and really stood out for his temperament but sadly not for sale or I would have grabbed him.

 

[Haphazardhacker]

I think we need pictures

 

[TheSubwayDino]

View attachment 92230View attachment 92230

Adorable!!

 

[Haphazardhacker]

 

[Haphazardhacker]

 

[Haphazardhacker]

Haha there you go. This is Pantera, she’s 22 and now a happy hacker and we also do Le Trec. Apologies for all the photos but she is my absolute world. I am so lucky to have her in my life, she is such a character nothing much fazes her , she can be a sensitive soul at times and has her preferred humans, she is incredibly smart and tough as old boots , hates wearing rugs and lives of thin air.

 

[TheSubwayDino]

Haha there you go. This is Pantera, she’s 22 and now a happy hacker and we also do Le Trec. Apologies for all the photos but she is my absolute world. I am so lucky to have her in my life, she is such a character nothing much fazes her , she can be a sensitive soul at times and has her preferred humans, she is incredibly smart and tough as old boots , hates wearing rugs and lives of thin air.

Wow she's so pretty!

 

[Haphazardhacker]

Wow she's so pretty!

Thank you, I am biased but I agree hehe

 

[Haphazardhacker]

 

[Haphazardhacker]

Apologies I will sit down now, not quite managed to learn how to post photos properly. Just thrilled to see a Criollo appreciation post

 

[asmp]

if you are talking about the Criollo farm/Monique then one who I think was called Salvadore a grey came to somewhere near me. I think that or something similar was his name. I trimmed his feet for them. He was the most amazing horse. I have never trimmed feet before or since for a horse that was so helpful and kind. He was really special and really stood out for his temperament but sadly not for sale or I would have grabbed him.

That’s the one! She imported quite a few so I imagine there are still some around. I should try and dig out a photo of when I bought him - a scrawny little thing with a hogged mane.

Pic below is of me actually doing a TREC comp (daughter normally competed him). He is what I call a “true” dun as he has the dorsal stripe and zebra markings on his front legs.

 

[palo1]

Loving the criollo pics - they are such a useful sort of horse. It really is a shame that there aren't more available in the UK; they are exactly what lots of people could really enjoy across a range of disciplines, easy to keep etc. Boohoo but lucky Criollo owners on this thread!!

 

[Landcruiser]

That’s the one! She imported quite a few so I imagine there are still some around. I should try and dig out a photo of when I bought him - a scrawny little thing with a hogged mane.

Pic below is of me actually doing a TREC comp (daughter normally competed him). He is what I call a “true” dun as he has the dorsal stripe and zebra markings on his front legs.]

I remember him, I think we chatted once at a competition.
Quite a lot of the ones she imported had issues, I knew of a few that died only a few years after import. Those still around are all in their 20s. I think it was very much pot luck with those "reject" criollos that came over on the boats. Those of them that have stayed healthy have been fantastic horses. They are something special. They are tough and clever from hundreds of years of surviving as wild horses, they know how to be horses, they are sure footed and can look after themselves. They also have a brilliant work ethic, and huge staying power. And they are such characters, such individuals...the way they look at you, they radiate intelligence.

Certainly with my two from Monique (1 via another owner), I had a LOT of work to do, they both had a lot of issues. Pat had lots of physical as well as mental issues. As I say, pot luck.

 

[asmp]

I remember him, I think we chatted once at a competition.
Quite a lot of the ones she imported had issues, I knew of a few that died only a few years after import. Those still around are all in their 20s. I think it was very much pot luck with those "reject" criollos that came over on the boats. Those of them that have stayed healthy have been fantastic horses. They are something special. They are tough and clever from hundreds of years of surviving as wild horses, they know how to be horses, they are sure footed and can look after themselves. They also have a brilliant work ethic, and huge staying power. And they are such characters, such individuals...the way they look at you, they radiate intelligence.

Certainly with my two from Monique (1 via another owner), I had a LOT of work to do, they both had a lot of issues. Pat had lots of physical as well as mental issues. As I say, pot luck.

Mine has never been a cuddly pony. He was pretty sharp when we got him (in fairness to Monique she did say he was too sharp for my daughter but he was supposed to be my horse!) and used to spin a lot. It took me about a year for us to trust each other, with me ending up on the floor quite often. When I bought him I stupidly used her vet and a wound was missed under his jaw. He was also found to have a broken tooth so, with also being kicked on the hock by a mare at my yard, he cost a fortune in his first year. Luckily the insurance paid out for most of it. It took him years for his ears to be touched as I assume they used to twitch them ?

 

[asmp]

The top photo is the one that was advertising him and the one below is what he looked like when I first bought. Looking back I have no idea WHY I bought him! Liked the look of his face I think!

 

[paddy555]

Loving the criollo pics - they are such a useful sort of horse. It really is a shame that there aren't more available in the UK; they are exactly what lots of people could really enjoy across a range of disciplines, easy to keep etc.

I'm happy for GW to correct me if I am wrong here. Is there really a demand for them? They are a lovely horse and probably very much what some people need but not necessarily what they seem want. If you brought in say 50 reasonable looking, reasonably trained adults would you get killed in the rush? Not in our area you wouldn't.

`no one down here is interested in mine, full stop. Absolutely no interest at all. If they ask if I have a new horse and I say, yes a criollo, nothing. Not even they have never heard of them. Arrayan stands out with his colour. He does look different from the local riding horses. When he first came to be polite I did warn riders I met he was a stallion. He didn't cause trouble but in our very narrow lanes as they rode 2 abreast I thought it better they realised. Big mistake.
Being a Criollo caused no interest to them. Being a stallion got a lot more comments and it seemed to terrify some.


After the lot OH found clinging with their horses to a hedge in terror as he rode him past I gave up. No one now realises he is a stallion and there is no interest in him being a Criollo. When I had a dark brown sec D I got lots of comments, people thought he was lovely.He was a similar height and similar build to the criollos. In fact he was a PITA to ride

the only comments I have ever seen about criollos are on HHO threads and that is from a small core group of people.

I am curious to know why people show so little interest in them as a breed. I rarely see bad things about them.

 

[stangs]

Is there really a demand for them? They are a lovely horse and probably very much what some people need but not necessarily what they seem want. If you brought in say 50 reasonable looking, reasonably trained adults would you get killed in the rush? Not in our area you wouldn't.

I fell in love with Criollos after reading Tschiffely's Ride - but, still, I don't think they're particularly unique. To me, they're just a 'proper horse'. I think any breed that isn't bred to achieve a certain look, thus retaining a more natural build, and which grows up on wild, harsh terrain, as many Criollos do, will provide you with a similar type of horse. That resulting hardy, intelligent animal is the type of most horse people need, albeit not the type many want.

My hypothesis would be that people either don't know the breed, or they only know of it in a polo context, or they assume that a Criollo will be considerably more expensive than a UK horse of a similar type - like NFs - which puts them off.

(Having said that, if anyone had a reasonable looking, reasonably trained adult available for an affordable price, I would probably kill someone to get to it )

 

[palo1]

I'm happy for GW to correct me if I am wrong here. Is there really a demand for them? They are a lovely horse and probably very much what some people need but not necessarily what they seem want. If you brought in say 50 reasonable looking, reasonably trained adults would you get killed in the rush? Not in our area you wouldn't.

`no one down here is interested in mine, full stop. Absolutely no interest at all. If they ask if I have a new horse and I say, yes a criollo, nothing. Not even they have never heard of them. Arrayan stands out with his colour. He does look different from the local riding horses. When he first came to be polite I did warn riders I met he was a stallion. He didn't cause trouble but in our very narrow lanes as they rode 2 abreast I thought it better they realised. Big mistake.
Being a Criollo caused no interest to them. Being a stallion got a lot more comments and it seemed to terrify some.


After the lot OH found clinging with their horses to a hedge in terror as he rode him past I gave up. No one now realises he is a stallion and there is no interest in him being a Criollo. When I had a dark brown sec D I got lots of comments, people thought he was lovely.He was a similar height and similar build to the criollos. In fact he was a PITA to ride

the only comments I have ever seen about criollos are on HHO threads and that is from a small core group of people.

I am curious to know why people show so little interest in them as a breed. I rarely see bad things about them.

I hear you. I just think peoples are daft!! It might be to do with disciplines (ie not a dressage/showjumper/eventer) or may be that a decent Criollo looks like a workmanlike horse rather than a 'highly bred' and therefore high status sort of horse. I have no idea why people wouldn't want one though they are similar in looks to a decent sort of cob I suppose (not the Welsh sort). I don't think UK equestrianism is particularly outward looking either - even Arabs are treated by many as a slightly 'eccentric' or alternative choice for a riding horse. Tbh the lack of interest in them might be the better option for the horse...But I would buy one.

 

[greasedweasel]

I'll try and come up with a more reasoned answer later but - yes, I get enquiries on a very regular basis still, helped by the fact that Arrayan's stock are instantly recognisable and because I marketed them well, there is still quite a strong core of "Team Chamfron" owners who keep in touch, socialise and compete together.

The initial dealers marketed the ridden Criollos as suitable for nervous and novice owners and I was always very anti this - they are not, they are working horses and super clever. They like to be kept active, are forward and bold, though not generally spooky. To some they can feel like they are too busy. They are absolutely NOT anyone's horse (I hack twice a week now so I have a New Forest!)

@stangs - I know of one, early teens, Criollo x TB but not that chunky who could be for sale...

 

[DressageCob]

I love criollos. If I ever wanted to buy a horse just for hacking I would definitely get one. They are so sure footed and kind natured. I used to groom for a string which included 5 criollos and one TB x Criollo. They were fabulous little horses.

 

[paddy555]

I hear you. I just think peoples are daft!! It might be to do with disciplines (ie not a dressage/showjumper/eventer) or may be that a decent Criollo looks like a workmanlike horse rather than a 'highly bred' and therefore high status sort of horse. I have no idea why people wouldn't want one though they are similar in looks to a decent sort of cob I suppose (not the Welsh sort). I don't think UK equestrianism is particularly outward looking either - even Arabs are treated by many as a slightly 'eccentric' or alternative choice for a riding horse. Tbh the lack of interest in them might be the better option for the horse...But I would buy one.

I like the workmanlike look. Suits me well.

You're right UK equestrianism is extremely insular. Some of my first horses were arabs nearly 50 years ago. You can imagine how popular they were back then. Now I'm equally unpopular just a different breed

 

[palo1]

I like the workmanlike look. Suits me well.

You're right UK equestrianism is extremely insular. Some of my first horses were arabs nearly 50 years ago. You can imagine how popular they were back then. Now I'm equally unpopular just a different breed

Yes, it is boggling frankly! I am very grateful for the experiences I have had with a variety of cultures and breeds and the horses that I have had. Peoples are daft...!!

Workmanlike used to be such a compliment but these days I think people find it less appealing as 'flashy' is preferred. I love a horse that looks like it can do a job and keep doing it with a degree of soundness and enthusiasm. Workmanlike is good and was the description my young mare's breeder used about her when I viewed her as a 2y/o. I saw that too and liked it and so far that is exactly how she is...but with a bit of added Welsh magic lol.