Tell me about Andalusians...

Pippity

Pippity

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I'm about to start riding an Andalusian-X, and I've heard that they can be very different to other breeds. I'm going to be having lessons with an instructor who knows the horse inside-out and back-to-front, but any suggestions for what I might expect would be welcome!

(Sire was Andalusian, dam was Friesian/TB.)
 
They're just generally sharper and more intelligent than a lot of other breeds. My part bred Luso is incredibly sharp and ridiculously clever, he'll read my mind when I'm riding, I just have to think about turning and I guess my body gives such a tiny reaction to that that he does it before I've officially asked for it! (awesome for jump offs!). Just keep your aids very subtle and build from there, don't get on and give it a boot ;)
 
friesians are NOT quiet... TB x Friesian is the sharpest combination ive ever ridden, they are elegant, majestic and some people make handling and riding them a doddle, fact is, friesians are hiiiiiiiiighly sensitive, quick to react and often sharp, MM is correct, they are hot. You must coax them into doing what you want, set them up to achieve, never to fail.. I always found that asking them to do a really easy task and praising them to give them an ego boost before asking any real work set them in the absolute perfect frame of mind for learning anything new, with that tactic they could achieve miracles! Dont set them up right and they fluff up, get their knickers in a twist, blow their mind and cant focus a jot, I find TB, Friesians etc, these types of horse benefit greatly from being chucked in the field and allowed to process what they have learnt, then they come out swinging, a few days work and a few days off to digest works far better than working them everyday. x
 
this is what Mr P is! don't let HIS naughtyness put you off, they are massively intelligent , Magic Melon is spot on, they almost mind read and are there where you want them to be before youv'e even thought it thru, very agile and i would say sensitive, very powerful too and if like Mr P an awful lot of fun, can't say too much more except i really love them, they are a noble and kind breed and once comfortable with you will do anything you ask. have fun!!
 
We have two Andalusian mares, very beautiful & intelligent horses.
And noble too. My Mother's mare is very laid back & calm, more a happy hacker, but can jump 4ft from standstill if she wants, and my Father's is quite highly strung, can jump 3ft, but gets her striding wrong often, but very good & trained to a high level dressage horse.
 
Expect to re-think your riding! Best horse in the world for sensitive, thoughtful "partnership" riders: a nightmare for inexperienced, unbalanced, very nervous or grabby ones.
 
Cortez said:
Expect to re-think your riding! Best horse in the world for sensitive, thoughtful "partnership" riders: a nightmare for inexperienced, unbalanced, very nervous or grabby ones.
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Oh dear! Well, my instructor knows both me and the horse and thinks we'll be a good partnership, so fingers crossed!
 
out of our three (two mares who are PRE, and Lusitano cross) and our gelding (mixture of various Iberian and local horses) I would say our PRE isn't the smartest horse in the family, but she is sensitive and full of character and a joy to be around. Our new Lusitano I haven't quite figured out yet, we have only had her less than two weeks. She appears calm, noble and clever, but she hasn't yet shown us her full character. My gelding is just an oaf, but a very clever one, no malice in him but very, very wilful and stubborn. Love them all, but they are all very different.
 
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The YM at my old yard has one. Utterly beautiful. Very kind mare and I wish she was mine! Not a breed I'd ever considered before, but she's lovely. Quite strong though.
 
Cortez said:
Expect to re-think your riding! Best horse in the world for sensitive, thoughtful "partnership" riders: a nightmare for inexperienced, unbalanced, very nervous or grabby ones.
Click to expand...
gonna have to slightly disagree with this, OH had never been on a horse before except once as a child and learn't to ride on ours, never put a foot wrong and always looks after him when we hack out. my friend has 5 , all rescues , 3 of which he teaches children to ride on , i do see tho that on the whole Cortez is correct as they are super sensitive and don't like riders messing about on them.
 
Shady said:
gonna have to slightly disagree with this, OH had never been on a horse before except once as a child and learn't to ride on ours, never put a foot wrong and always looks after him when we hack out. my friend has 5 , all rescues , 3 of which he teaches children to ride on , i do see tho that on the whole Cortez is correct as they are super sensitive and don't like riders messing about on them.
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Yeah, me too, my Mother's mare once had a 3 year old toddler bareback on her (with just a headcoller), she was so slow & gentle for him, walking carefully to make sure she didn't unseat him! But then again, my Father's mare requires a confident & still rider, but probably would of still be careful with a toddler on her.
 
We have a PRE who is a saint. He is our family pony and we owe him the world. He will go like the devil himself when I ask him to, and yet he safely took my 7 year old daughter (off the leadrein) to pony club rallies when her pony was on box rest. They are the most amazing creatures in the world. But like every single other breed out there you will find sharp vs saint.
 
like all horses, there are variations, treat each as an individual. Our 2 can be forward but the mare is sensitive and sharp (used for show jumping by my little sister), the gelding is very balanced and can do piaffe and tricks (rearing, laying down,...) but can equally be ridden by a beginner.
 
I have a PRE x welsh b (3/4 PRE). He is super sensitive, hot, intelligent, a quick learner, tries his heart out when relaxed but usually runs on adrenaline and joie de vivre. I find him challenging to ride as he needs plenty of leg but used with tact to prevent him boiling over. He is a joy to train as he loves to please and thrives on praise but can be stupidly frustrating when you try to replicate his work at home whilst out at competition as he fizzes like a time bomb sometimes! Due to the welsh b mine is tiny, just 14hh and little with it, so there isn't a lot of horse under you and it disappears completely really quickly! I imagine with a fresian cross it would be easier. Mine has a lot of energy but not a huge amount of power so needs plenty of breaks in his training to rest and develop. I love him to pieces, he is an incredible character, but I'm not sure I'd have picked him if I knew how challenging he would be! I wasn't really good enough for him but I am learning every day!
 
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