Rio the Andalusian stallion's first 11 days in the UK :)

StormyMoments

StormyMoments

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So, there were a few members of HHO who asked for updates on Rio and here one is!

Its been 11 days since he arrived in the UK and its 9 days since he arrived with me, he's settled down incredibly well. For the first couple of days he just paced the fence line closest to the other horses but he soon settled and started eating. He was doing his im a very excited stallion bit going down to the field in the morning when Taz called but he stopped after about 3 days and now he just potters down to the field on the end of the lead rope!

He's proved to be very sensible around other horses and doesnt show even slight interest of any of the mares stood on the yard when walking past on the way to his stable :)

i have ridden him twice. the first time i must say wasnt that successful as he ended up rearing and trying to take off and it was obvious that he really wasnt happy with the pelham (ridden on bottom ring as it was how he was ridden in spain and i didnt want to make too many changes at once)

so we changed him in to a loose ring french link snaffle and long reined him first. by the look of his reaction when the long lines touched his bum it looks as if at some point he has been severly beaten while on long reins (i dont carry a whip) and he reared up and had a complete melt down about 4 times before he realised i wasnt asking him to do anymore than walk around. even when he settled if the long lines touched his bum he still freaked out so we are working on this. afterwards we took him on to the yard and he turned towards me and i think it kind of clicked in his head that it was me behind him the whole time and that i wasnt going to do anything and he got lots of pats and hugs for being good :)

when i rode him for the second time he was like a completely different horse. we still had issues with steering, stopping and what i was actually asking but he understood when i was asking him to walk, trot and canter and we even managed a couple of steps of piaffe and flying changes :)

we are still having bitting issues though! he doesnt seem to agree with the french link dispite being a huge amount better. when riding him he put his tounge (sp?) over the bit a couple of times and he didnt relax at all and was constantly chomping on the bit so if anyone has any ideas of what to put him in please do let me know!

but here are a couple of photos of him and a video from his first day to yesterday :)

please ignore my riding! hes such a strange horse to sit to and the saddle he is ridden in doesnt actually let you move (spanish exercise saddle) and im fully aware that my hands, legs and general posture are not good! but i have and instructor and my mum is and II so she shouts at me all the time too ;)

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYHZgRHkHDA&list=UUjTFvhEmqvTGluCXYgcvwyQ&index=1&feature=plcp

:) but there you go! thats my update on Rio beast!

sorry about the size of the photos! no idea how to reduce the size!
 
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thank youu!! :) oo also forgot to add, im having real problems finding rugs with detachable necks with the neck attachment wide enough for his neck (they are all too tight!) while not being massively long as he only has a short neck :o
 
omg he is stunning. on ebay black eclipes sells massive rugs that suits stallions great, i had a 1200d turnout combo and my horse had the widest neck and chest, i also went a size bigger for his chest, but necks is massive and great long tail flap. not expensive either. i couldnt find anyother rug to fit my stallion, i paid a fortune and never got one that suited until black eclipes ebay. best of luck with your he is class, i have sold my stallion and all rugs went with him, as i knew they fitted him great.
 
He's lovely! Just a thought, but the ground looks quite damp and sticky in the video, is it possible that he is unsure of his footing and this is causing some of the issues you are having? I don't know whereabouts in Spain he comes from, but some of it is quite arid, and he may not be used to this type of terrain.
 
The ground is a bit slippy but when i first tried him it was dry. He hasnt got the best balance on there as its a slight slope in the field he does find it difficult but hes not used to being ridden english so we both find it difficult because he doesnt understand so we are reschooling him so he knows what im asking but i needo find the right bit for him before i start as im not going to clamp his mouth shut to cover the problem :)
 
I was amongst those asking for updates so thanks for that!
He is just divine...his movement, especially in the field at the start of the vid is sublime...:D
I have nothing constructive to offer you re riding and bits, I'm afraid, am sure somebody more sensible will be along to do that...! I think he looks a heck of a lot of horse to ride, so very well done to you both :D
 
He is stunning! I bet you are absolutely thrilled with him. He certainly looks a bit of a handful when riden - that is a lot of power you are sitting on! Just a thought (and I may be way off the mark here) but it looks to me as though he is perhaps used to being ridden from the seat a lot more and is maybe reacting against the hand as a consequence? I know how hard it is (and I'm sure the saddle isn't helping) but you might find him a little easier if you could sit up through your body a bit more and become slightly deeper/more stable in your seat. Oh, and try to relax - easier said than done I'm sure!! :)
 
hes lush sm, re long reining.. try a driving saddle if you can lay your hands on one the use of the rings will allow you to work him, and keep the reins off his bum etc for now.

re bits id perserver with what you want for now, the pres are generally very sensitive, if anything over by some!!! keep your hands light, body back a bit and really learn to use your seat.

look forward to seeing your progress with him.
 
He is a handsome fellow. We have 2 PREs, also from Spain, and it is funny how they can move their legs so fast yet they are super comfy to seat. They tend to be a bit rough with them in Spain and it is mostly men handling them and the horses don't necessarily get turn out. Take your time with your boy and good luck :), are you planning to compete dressage with him?
 
What about the Neue Schule Team Up bit. I know a few people who have used it with success on fussy mouthed horses. He's lovely. I'm not really a Spanish horse fan but he's a stunner. And you are brave! I'd have needed a change of trousers after riding him in that field but I think he'll soon settle down when you get to know each other better. Lovely :)
 
He rides massive underneath you and it feels like hes constantly gonna take off! Getting him to collect in canter is difficult because he doesnt understand half halts (think he was taught to rear when you put your leg on and pull up a bit and he does it when moving too so if i half halt in trot he rears and runs along... Most off putting!) so thats something im having to reschool him not to do :o as i dont really need him to rear! Mum doesnt like watching me riding him as she thinks its terrifying as he looks like hes just gonna go but hes actually very soft in the mouth so hes scarier to watch then he is to actually ride as other than his big canter hes not much different to taz well except taz gets excited and rodeos haha but i will try some bits from the bit bank but i will persevere with the french link for a little while and will work on my riding and sitting up urgg i hate how i look down and lean forward... Too much xc riding :o and hopefully next year me and rio should be out doing some dressage! :)
 
Just a thought re the half halt thing a have lessons with a Portuguese trainer a few times a year and a lot of horses he trains are taught half halt from the seat not the hand so perhaps try using a half halt from your seat instead? He is stunning btw :)
 
Doesn't Fiona Foy do clinics near you? She trains Iberians, particularly Spanish. She may be able to give you a few pointers.

Also, lots of people on the BAPSH Facebook page ride and train in Spain. Esperanza dressage are quite far from you but I am sure there is a stud not far from you. Some well advised tips now could save you lots of bother in the future :)
 
not if you open yr fingers, softening of hands, it should also encourage him to take the rein a bit more forward and relax, key also being if you need to put your leg on, give with the fingers/hands so that what your finding is an aid becomes a question, start off on a circle with as much bend as possible, 15 mins and id expect him to be getting the idea the pre is such a sensitive and intelligent horse.
 
Stunning horse but personally I'd lay off the advanced movements for now and practise the basics. You don't really look 'together' at the moment but you'll get there, just take your time to get to know one another and leave the piafe until you are working in more harmony :)
 
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