owning a lippizaner

AnyChance

AnyChance

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Can you share your experience of owning a lippizaner please. There seem to be few about.
What have you found has been great about them and what challenges have you had to overcome?
 
I haven't owned one, but I leased and evented with one years ago. Very mareish, pretty high strung and opinionated, but well-going when she put her mind to it. I had my worst fall off that horse, but I also had some great experiences. They are smart horses! The mare in question had been passed around a fair bit, I think, which probably accounted for a bit of her behaviour. I suspect a well-schooled Lipizzan might be different. She needed time to settle with a person before she would work with you. She was definitely more suited to dressage, though had great scope - when she would jump, that is. Would be interested in seeing other people's experiences with them actually. :-)
 
I agree with the above poster! Very intelligent horses with strong minds that can be difficult because they're (as said) quite highly strung and sensitive.
 
Someone I knew had one for quite a few years, she only ever rode hhim in the menage, he would try to kill her if she tried to hack him I think he was in his late teens and his previous owners only ever schooled him so thats all he would do.
 
I rode one extensively when I was younger. It was bizarrely like riding a big welsh pony*. Very clever, and very scopey. Great jump, was also broken to harness (had come from driving background). Fabulous movement but required quite precise aides to achieve the desired effect rather than a random demonstration of various gp collection moves.
He was ridden a lot (I and his owner both rode him 5/6 days) and fed accordingly. I don't know if a less stimulating routine would have worked, he did like to be kept busy, there was no casual riding on the buckle. He was in his teens and had a good level of schooling.
It did a lot for my seat as they don't ride big, not saying he was choppy but you actually had to learn to sit the trot rather than just flob along with the movement. Very different to warmbloods in that regard. I slow mo bounced off the side on first no stirrups session.
However he was very pleasant, and quite forgiving... as in he'd wait for you to get the command right rather than fall apart/ have a sensitive fit. There wasn't any malice; just the same way that native ponies can be a bit too clever. Good stable manners, good with other horses. Never knew him to nip/ kick or try to unseat anyone.

*Also, so round, he had a real barrel body. Was a PITA to fit tack to, and muscular with a tendency to lard if not kept an eye on. Very attractive though and when it was good he was a dream to ride. It was always a bit surprising that he was 16hh because he looked about 14 at most.
 
Thanks everyone I guess each horse is different. Exciting/nerve wrecking weeks ahead... an adventure/new experience fingers crossed
 
I have an andalusian, but lippizaner's are similiar. Very very sensitive and need firm but fair handling. My girl is tricky, she's sharp and can turn on a sixpense and can spook like crazy with no awareness of what's around her. I have to be careful, especially out hacking, but I know her inside out so 9/10 I can catch her before she explodes. She's very genuine though and will try her absolute hardest for me, for me not anyone else. Her dressage is coming on leaps and bounds and she has the potential to go very far. She loves jumping/x-country, is brave and bold and will do whatever I ask of her. It's been a struggle to get to this point though, and she can be very nervous until she gets to know you.

Though she's tricky, she's my absolute world and we've accomplished so much together. Once you gain their trust, they'll do anything for you and are loyal as hell.

Where are you based? Have you had experience with spanish horses before?

Do tell us more about your newbie?
 
I have a 4 YO mare, she has been with me for 18 months now.

She can be tricky, sharp, spooky, however, she is the best horse i have ever sat on, she is amazing to ride, incredibly intelligent, loving and brave she gives me so much pleasure.

It took a long time for her to settle, but she is now very content and happy and loves to work, also i echo the above statement, once you gain their trust they are as loyal as hell.

Tell us more, and piccys if you have them.
 
Thank you folks for replys, deposit paid, vetting tomorrow fingers crossed. Trying to stay calm!

She is 4, from the breeder so I have seen the stallion. She was broken last year did some schooling travelling etc then turned away. She has different conformation than I am used to but I still think she is beautiful. She is the quieter of the two I looked at. Where the gelding was cantering round and looked mischievous she just looked at him and didn't join in!
 
Ohh fingers crossed for you, i met my girls mum & dad, and her siblings before she came home with me and i keep in touch with her breeder as he is more of a friend these days, as my SIL rides at his yard. Whereabouts in the country is she coming from?

As for forums/sites i dont really know of any, other than the Lipizzaner society which you can join, but if you find any forums i would love to know as i would like to join them as well.
 
AnyChance said:
Are there any Lippizaner sites/forums looking for as much info as I can on them!
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try the Enlightened Equitation forum and FB page, there used to be a couple of people on there who have them-one of them is competing to a serious level of dressage.

I had and have a lusitano-the baroque breeds are quite similar wrt tack fit (big barrels) sensitivity and intelligence apparently :) enjoy and be prepared to find out that you won't want to ride much else.
 
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Congratulations!!! :D ...pictures please?? ;)

The BAPSH forum is fantastic. It's especially for Iberian horses. They have a facebook page too.
 
Will post some pics etc soon if all goes well tomorrow.
Today has gone sooooo slowly can't wait until the vetting has been done..fingers crossed.
 
AnyChance said:
What homework do you mean?!
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At least A-level Spanish Riding School! (Not being serious)

I'm sure you'll do really well. Remember that horses known to form strong bonds can be a bit bereft when they move to a new owner. However once they bond to you it's the best feeling.
 
bakewell said:
At least A-level Spanish Riding School! (Not being serious)

I'm sure you'll do really well. Remember that horses known to form strong bonds can be a bit bereft when they move to a new owner. However once they bond to you it's the best feeling.
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Thanks Bakewell, Lol, I was wondering if there was some sort of elite ownership test to be taken!

Seriously I am aware of any limitations I may have and not afraid to ask professionals for help.
Having trained my hannovarian x TB from a 5 yr old going from pre lim to advanced level I feel I have a good background, it is time for a new challenge!
 
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MargotC said:
I haven't owned one, but I leased and evented with one years ago. Very mareish, pretty high strung and opinionated, but well-going when she put her mind to it. I had my worst fall off that horse, but I also had some great experiences. They are smart horses! The mare in question had been passed around a fair bit, I think, which probably accounted for a bit of her behaviour. I suspect a well-schooled Lipizzan might be different. She needed time to settle with a person before she would work with you. She was definitely more suited to dressage, though had great scope - when she would jump, that is. Would be interested in seeing other people's experiences with them actually. :-)
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Joys of mares! Certainly sounds like you have to develop a good bond before you get the best work, thanks for sharing
 
Pinkvboots said:
Someone I knew had one for quite a few years, she only ever rode hhim in the menage, he would try to kill her if she tried to hack him I think he was in his late teens and his previous owners only ever schooled him so thats all he would do.
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Not a happy hacker then! Hopefully with �!!Hopefully this being younger we can get her used to hacking
 
bakewell said:
I rode one extensively when I was younger. It was bizarrely like riding a big welsh pony*. Very clever, and very scopey. Great jump, was also broken to harness (had come from driving background). Fabulous movement but required quite precise aides to achieve the desired effect rather than a random demonstration of various gp collection moves.
He was ridden a lot (I and his owner both rode him 5/6 days) and fed accordingly. I don't know if a less stimulating routine would have worked, he did like to be kept busy, there was no casual riding on the buckle. He was in his teens and had a good level of schooling.
It did a lot for my seat as they don't ride big, not saying he was choppy but you actually had to learn to sit the trot rather than just flob along with the movement. Very different to warmbloods in that regard. I slow mo bounced off the side on first no stirrups session.
However he was very pleasant, and quite forgiving... as in he'd wait for you to get the command right rather than fall apart/ have a sensitive fit. There wasn't any malice; just the same way that native ponies can be a bit too clever. Good stable manners, good with other horses. Never knew him to nip/ kick or try to unseat anyone.

*Also, so round, he had a real barrel body. Was a PITA to fit tack to, and muscular with a tendency to lard if not kept an eye on. Very attractive though and when it was good he was a dream to ride. It was always a bit surprising that he was 16hh because he looked about 14 at most.
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He sounds lovely Bakewell
 
AnyChance said:
Thanks Bakewell, Lol, I was wondering if there was some sort of elite ownership test to be taken!

Seriously I am aware of any limitations I may have and not afraid to ask professionals for help.
Having trained my hannovarian x TB from a 5 yr old going from pre lim to advanced level I feel I have a good background, it is time for a new challenge!
Click to expand...

A seriously good attitude. Im not a novice rider, however, i have never had a youngster before, my girl was backed by someone else this was done at home so i could see how things progressed.

I now do all the schooling and ridden work, and have a fantastic instructor who is incredible and has helped us come on in leaps on bounds, so much so, we are heading off for our first dressage test in September.

Good luck xx
 
Joyous70 said:
A seriously good attitude. Im not a novice rider, however, i have never had a youngster before, my girl was backed by someone else this was done at home so i could see how things progressed.

I now do all the schooling and ridden work, and have a fantastic instructor who is incredible and has helped us come on in leaps on bounds, so much so, we are heading off for our first dressage test in September.


Good luck xx
Click to expand...

Excellent thanks for posting that is exactly what I was planning to do and so I am glad to hear it worked for you.

Have fun at your first dressage together it must feel great to know you have been there from the start of her training :)
 
AnyChance said:
Excellent thanks for posting that is exactly what I was planning to do and so I am glad to hear it worked for you.

Have fun at your first dressage together it must feel great to know you have been there from the start of her training :)
Click to expand...

You will have such a journey, and it will be amazing. Im not a fluffy bunny type of person, but i have such an amazing relationship with my girl something i never imagined possible.

Thank you, im very proud of what we have acheived so far, most people at my yard thought she was going to kill me when she first came home, but now i have a lovely little horse who tries for me as well as tries me!!!

I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you that all goes well with your vetting. x
 
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