Friesian V Andalusian

I absolutely love andulasians! They have a 4 year old stallion at my uni and I have actually fallen in love. I compete in dressage and currently have a spotty 3 year old um gonna compete next year and then in 2 years um going to sell my exmoor once I have backed and trained her. Then I am planning on buying a andulsians to compete along side the spotty one and hopefully get to psg plus.
I have heard they are really quiet and I love the fact they are small (15-15.3) and look and move amazingly.
I have heard some good things about fresians too but personally prefere the movement of andulsians.
 
Personally, I would go with Andalusian. They do make great jumpers as well as good dressage. I agree that some are very expensive, but then they would as most are PRE. Have you thought of british breeders? There are a handful... you should ask SirenaX on here.

A friend of mine has three Friesians and they are lovely too. Too much mane and feather for me though.....
 
Bear in mind that the way Friesians are bred now is more for the show ring than for fuction so many look like they are standing up hill (think Morgan horse of German Shepherd in teh dog equivalent). This makes them naturally very heavy on the forehand and a lot of work is required to get them moving correctly. However they look fab and are bizarre to ride - so much leg movement ad not really getting anywhere!
 
I absolutely love both breeds but given the choice I would go for a friesian, just because they tend to be bigger. Both absolutely stunning breeds though, lucky you!
 
The andalusian is more sutied to modern day sport imho, the friesian is a little less removed from the carriage horse
 
What about the Lusitano? I have one of each (and Andy and a Luso) and jump both. The Andalusian s/j to 1.10/1.20m, but the Luso is awesome doing open XC's within a few months of ever jumping fences! The Luso is so brave, I think it's the breeding with all the bullfighting stuff, that no fence is too big or scarey for him.

xx
 
I love Fresians (true Baroque-style), and hope to own one someday... but for your purpose, I'd have to say Andalusian, just because the high head carriage and high legged gait of the Fresian can take some work for dressage (but are impeccable dressage horses once produced). Andy might have more scope too compared to a baroque-style Fresian. Still, it's not about the horse, or about you, but the combination of you and horse together - I'd go for whoever's right for you, no matter what the passport says 80)
 
Jessica_Wabbit said:
What about the Lusitano? I have one of each (and Andy and a Luso) and jump both. The Andalusian s/j to 1.10/1.20m, but the Luso is awesome doing open XC's within a few months of ever jumping fences! The Luso is so brave, I think it's the breeding with all the bullfighting stuff, that no fence is too big or scarey for him.

xx
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Agreed! I think the Luso's are great too.
 
For what you want I'd agree with some - modern friesians are being bred for the show ring only and are trying to look like warmbloods??!! - are often too long in the back for collection and usually have weak backends and little stamina - they are being far removed from what they used to be. Trying to find a baroque friesian now is very hard - I was lucky with my baroque friesian stallion Wessel, but if I wanted to replace him I don't think I could now.
Some have very hot temperaments too so you need to go and see and try out - really do your research as both breeds can be expensive to buy! You've also got to get any friesian you buy that is broken to ride/drive fully x-rayed because they are often broken in far too young, and being prone to OCD it can be disastrous, or if imported are 'dutch broke' meaning you need to start from scratch! The same can apply to the andi/luso - but as there are more of them you usually have more choice. If you can get a crossbred then great but there are few good quality ones about, and if good quality will still set you back a bit, a youngster is usually the cheapest option of either breed/x-bred.
So really it depends on the horses you go to view - I wouldn't be too stuck on breed, more on ability, personality and temperament.
 
I would go with a spanishy type andalusian or lusitano. They are both great, and afaik for all intents and purposes, pretty similar types of horse.

Mine is a Luso x TB (although I have no papers to prove it :( ) and he is just wonderful. Such character, and so kind, although that could just be him :D
 
hey i have a friesian and he is the sporty type rather than the heavy set if that makes sense :confused: lol
he has lovely paces and jumps great although young and quite green. but loving the learning. i do compare him to goldilocks (sp) as he likes the ground just right so next move will be indoor school on wish list :D lol

good luck :D
 
Having to own 3 friesians myself
The advice I would give is too sit down and do your homework
Between the 2 breeds
Friesians are mainly breed from dressage and driving but many
Friesians are commonly used for a family pleasure horse and they excel in the sports of Driving and Dressage. During the history of the Friesian horse breeding, they were never bred with jumping in mind. The angles and weight bearing in the shoulder and neck make them unsuitable for jumping. Some owners jump their Friesians for fun, but constant jump training would put and excess amount of pressure on the fetlock and hock joints.
So keep that I'n mind
 
having had both i'd go for an andalusian. get more for your money.

friesians are calmer and love working, people friendly and calm and kind not fizzy and older breed types (traditionals) can be very chunky and have lots of feather, i think the breed can be more stunning when ridden, a relaxed ride, usually completely bombproof (thats what they were bred for - hence shoulder strength to pull canons), sadly most seem to jump like a cow and they also fade in the sun (go red!). Andalusians are trainable, but can be uber sensitive, you need to be firm but fair, once trusting they're fun energetic rides, brave and seem to like hacking and love popping a few cross country jumps. excell at dressage and the variety of colours and bred types, baroque(carthusian)/newer PRE types (slimmer and taller) make them stand out a little more. both breeds can suffer sweetitch quite badly, esp those imported from spain. dont buy blind, no matter what!!. speaking from experience here!!

let us all know what you go for!
 
A friend of mine has an Andy x TB, gorgeous horse! Quiet and sensible temperament, lovely mover and athletic whilst still retaining the 'look' of the Andalusians. Doesn't hurt that he is a stunning dapple grey!
 
Andalusian definately. They can jump really well, whereas I've seen a couple of friesians jump and it wasn't exactly 'natural' lets say! I'm sure some CAN jump obviously, but to be sure I'd go for the Andy.
 
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