Update on my Spanish boy *pics*

j1ffy

j1ffy

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Well, I've had P in the UK for 6 weeks now so thought I'm due an update!! It's taken a while to get a saddle sorted as he's an odd shape for English saddlers (apparently...) so took it easy for a while as we were borrowing one and I didn't want him to get a sore back. We're a case study for a new riding academy my riding instructor is launching called Aspire Equestrian, watch this space for more info! This means we're having regular lessons, a full training programme (including off-horse exercises for me) and we've both had our backs checked and exercises assigned to get us both a bit straighter :) Only he gets massages though, which seems a bit unfair.

I think quite a few people thought I was a little nuts (quite fairly!) for going on holiday to Spain and buying a horse, but I have to say that it was a fantastic decision. Last week I boxed him to the Ridgeway for a long hack with friends and he was perfect, though a bit nervous of stepping on the lorry's ramp! He is incredibly sensitive and intelligent, we're doing a lot of work to get him to use his back properly, work through from behind and accept the contact. He is so rewarding though, he seems to remember from one session to the next so improves incredibly quickly (now I just need to do the same!). He's also become a firm favourite with everyone at the yard and is completely spoilt.

Enough blabbering, here are some piccies:
A little walk through the woods after a schooling session:
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Trying to get him to stretch and use his back instead of going in a more "advanced" but slightly false outline (he's getting better!):
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Thanks for reading, and apologies for all the gushing!!!
 
*jealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealous*

Oh and....JEALOUS!!!

:p
 
Beautiful beautiful boy! I really miss having a Spanish horse. I had a beautiful Andalusian, although he was a b***** to ride :P Your boy looks so lovely!
 
Thanks guys! Just noticed how poor my lower leg is in the side-on piccie - oops...

Binky01 - P doesn't have the gorgeous gorgeous feathers of your bay!!! I've always admired those on your siggy :) And don't tell me they're a pain to clean, P is the FILTHIEST horse I've every known. Thank goodness he's not a grey.

Apercrumbie - he has his moments and likes to keep me awake! Very very generous though. What was your boy like - what did he do?!
 
Nah Hairy's not that much hard work tbh! He has enough product left on him it's fairly easy. As long as I don't turn him out in the field with the large stream running through it...as the git wallows in it and comes out looking a hairy hippo! But thanks XD haha.

Spanish ones have always been my weakness. I shall go to Spain and get one, one day!

A friend of mine rides a couple that used to be in that show...having a mind blank on the name of it! Spirit of the horse I think? He told me and sent me pcis and I was just like -_- Me want!!!! Haha :p
 
Binky01 said:
Spanish ones have always been my weakness. I shall go to Spain and get one, one day!

A friend of mine rides a couple that used to be in that show...having a mind blank on the name of it! Spirit of the horse I think? He told me and sent me pcis and I was just like -_- Me want!!!! Haha :p
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Wow, don't think we'll ever get anywhere near that, at least not with me on top ;) If you do take the plunge and go horse hunting in Spain, I can recommend a good place :)
 
Lovely pictures. I have had a PRE for 2 years and he is fab, is really brave and forward and totally loves himself. Re your issues with saddles, it may be useful to know that some manufacturers now do cater for Iberian horses. I have a Strada saddle which I cannot recommend highly enough. Great for flatwork and comfortable enough for long long hacks. Also the great thing is that as your horse develops his shape (as mine has) then you can have the tree taken out and a new one inserted for way less than the cost of a new saddle. You can find details on the internet (Strada Saddles UK)

Also, have a look on the Ideal company website as they also advertise one as suitable, although I haven't tried it.

Continue to enjoy your lovely boy!!
 
Herts05 - thank you for the tips! We've gone for a Farrington VSD which has been customised to him (Farrington's customise for no extra cost :)). Our saddler can tweak it as he changes shape, but we'll see how it goes. He's only 5 and I know they don't mature until they're 7, he was only gelded in April so he's changed quite a bit already.
 
Have been wondering how you are getting on :D Spanish horses are difficult to saddle over here unfortunately, but it is so worth it. Having had many, I adore them, they never stop teaching you things and are so generous natured. I hope you have years and years of fun with him :D
 
Thanks Weezy - always value your view as I know you've been based over there :) I'm hoping for many years of fun too, he's got a home for life with us!
 
Herts05 said:
Lovely pictures. I have had a PRE for 2 years and he is fab, is really brave and forward and totally loves himself. Re your issues with saddles, it may be useful to know that some manufacturers now do cater for Iberian horses. I have a Strada saddle which I cannot recommend highly enough. Great for flatwork and comfortable enough for long long hacks. Also the great thing is that as your horse develops his shape (as mine has) then you can have the tree taken out and a new one inserted for way less than the cost of a new saddle. You can find details on the internet (Strada Saddles UK)

Also, have a look on the Ideal company website as they also advertise one as suitable, although I haven't tried it.

Continue to enjoy your lovely boy!!
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I too am fortunate to have a bay Andalusian, have had him for 4 nd half years now. He is also ridden in Strada saddles (my saddler friend used to make them when they were formerly known as Michela Leng). I have a dressage and a jumping version. I cannot recommend them enough.

Good luck with your new boy, he looks almost as stunning as my boy (sorry but I'm very biased lol).

Its nice to "meet" more Andy lovers on here.

What do you intend to do with your boy. Mine does Horse Trials, H Trials, SJ, showing and we've both just started doing the dreaded dressage.:p
 
I've got a PRE gelding, rising 7 and had him since he was rising 5. I adore him, he is a challenge at times and he has taught me heaps about my own personality (he's the first horse I've ever known who really does throw my bad mood right back at me, and yet is a sweet natured as they come when I'm in a good mood!) I've got him in an Isabel Werth and in fact his saddle has just been checked and it seems that he has actually grown in height a bit in the last 9 months (his wither profile is slimmer and taller, if that makes sense!). His musculature has changed heaps - he looked quite TB in many ways when I first bought him but now there's no mistaking what he is.
 
Congrats he is superdoper gorgeous! and its soooo lovely to read you are getting on so well.

Everyone thinks im mad at the mo as im having a PRE vetted this month and he hopefully will be over by the end of August. Any tips would be greatfully received!

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Wow - lots of beautiful Andys!!!!

KatPT - I doubt he's bigger, he's just a shade over 15hh at the moment :)

Andalusianlover - dressage at the moment but I'd love to jump him, probably a bit later this year once he's stronger in canter. He's only just turned 5 and was broken quite late for a Spanish horse, in Autumn last year.

Showqa - thanks for that. He's already changing a lot so we'll keep his saddle checked regularly...

Dany - your boy is gorgeous!!! Where's he from and how old? My tips would be use John Parker transport, get a good instructor and a good saddle fitter ;) P is very laid back so really not been a problem to get him settled etc. Make sure you introduce him slowly to English grass and watch his weight, apparently they are susceptible to laminitis (though I've not heard of a case of it). P is in a near-starvation paddock during the day, has ad lib hay in his evening and overnight and a couple of scoops of Alfa-A with a handful of nuts morning and evening. He's ridden 6 days a week and is still well-covered! Oh, and Spanish farriers tend to be pretty poor so his feet may take a couple of sessions with and English farrier to recover...
 
Binky01 said:
*jealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealousjealous*

Oh and....JEALOUS!!!

:p
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What she said.

I too love Spanish horses!
 
I contacted a breeder based here as I wanted to learn more about the breed and spent the afternoon watching video's of the most beautiful horses. I really liked his ethos too, as he is breeding for a taller more athletic type.

So of course I fell i love with a rising 5 stallion, hadnt dreamed I would be able to afford him. I packed my bags last month to go and meet him and a few others, as their stud is in Spain and spent a lovely 2 days of sun and horses. So now I just have to wait for the vetting!

I have had a quote from John Parkers and they were very good, did you get insurance for the trip over? Ive only been able to find one source that will cover him fully and boy is it expensive!

Did you work him straight away after the transport? or turn away for a couple of days?

Did you think about buying some alfalfa hay to slowly swap him over or did you go straight to hay?

Sorry so many questions!
 
[ Make sure you introduce him slowly to English grass and watch his weight, apparently they are susceptible to laminitis (though I've not heard of a case of it).

I've never heard of them being susceptible to laminitis before but when I got my boy 4 nd half years ago I was told never to give him anything with sugar in it. I dont restrict his grass, never have done (he's never been knee deep in it though) but he only gets Hi-Fi Light and a pasture mix 1/3 scoop of mix twice per day. Imported Andys can have a tendency to be itchy over here, so dont feed him garlic.

My chap was shod for the first 3 years but I tried him without back shoes for a while and then took his front ones off as well. I'm not a "barefoot guru" at all but his feet are hard as nails, the farrier hates me because he doesnt even need trimming. I've found that since his shoes have come off, his movement is better.
 
Andalusianlover - you said DON'T feed him garlic? But I have been because I thought it would be a fly deterrant and yes, my fella is very itchy and in a pagony rug. So drop it off you think?

My fella is a good doer and no way could he go out 24/7 on the grass. He's out through the night and during the day yarded with hay, has one feed a day of speedibeet and ride and relax, garlic ( ! ), and magnesium, ridden 5 days a week, and just right weight wise. So anymore and I reckon he could easily get quite fat. He's also pretty big for the breed - a shade over 16hh.
 
showqa said:
Andalusianlover - you said DON'T feed him garlic? But I have been because I thought it would be a fly deterrant and yes, my fella is very itchy and in a pagony rug. So drop it off you think?


I learnt on here last year that garlic boosts the immune system and when a horse gets very itchy the immune system goes into overdrive so garlic just makes it go "more" into overdrive making a horse even itchier. Also I learnt that the "midge" follows the CO2 that a horse emits so garlic wouldnt help repel the little beggars anyway. Yes, drop the garlic.

My Andalusian has Sweetitch but you wud never know as he has a Snuggy Hoods full suit on and has a full mane and tail.

I dont use any lotins or potions as I'm sure these irritate his skin even more. He has some Benzyl Benzoate on his tail twice a week.

I had my Andy blood tested and he is allergic to allsorts as I have found quite a few of them are.

Just keep your horse fully covered from nose to tail from March to November and he'll be fine.:D
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