What do we think of Spanish/Iberian horses?

They're not really my sort of horse, I prefer a narrower and lighter build, like a Thoroughbred or a Sportshorse, but I do admire them, and love watching them!
 
I like them a lot, I think they're good looking and have lovely paces.

I'd love to own one, some day. I used to dream of owning a M&M, but as I've got a bit older, I think an Iberian would be a better RC allrounder type. They still have the natural good looks, but a little bit bigger and suited to dabbling in a bit of dressage
 
Again I fell in love with Fuego and think he should have won even if he wasn't the british entrant!!! :D But I don't think i'd want one personally as my horse - not sure whether they're quite what I'd be looking for in an eventer!!
 
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As long as their ears are the proper length and they have a shot of Donkey in them,I'm all for them :D
 
Not a fan personally. I prefer cobby, hairy types more. But perhaps its more that I don't like the way I have seen some of them trained (not saying all, don't attack me!!). I've seen people in my area teaching the "spanish walk" by holding the horses really short (from the ground) or tied close to a wall so they can't move forward, then smacking their front legs with a schooling whip to make them pick them up :( Now, their movement always looks so forced. Especially in the fiestas, when they are being ridden along in massive, ugly bits, then dug in the ribs with spurs so that they jog on the spot and look "pretty"...grrrrr!!
Given a choice though, I prefer the look of the Andalucian to the PRE.
 
I like TBs for myself, but my neighbour has a grey Andalusian stallion & a bay yearling colt too. Both are stunning animals & make my elderly TB gelding look rather plain in comparison.
 
Like them (both breeds) and even more after a friend who is really knowledgeable about irish breeding told me that often there is a reference to "Kerry Grays" which refers to the fact that some look as if they have a very strong influence in the breeding - borne out by DNA testing which was supposed to have come through the influx of spanish horses during the sinking of the armada. Mine is straight ID x TB (well OK not straight, he is 5/8 TB!) but has a very similiar head to a PRE.
 
Why have you got one going spare??? I'll pm you my address... can you do next day delivery?
 
I don't know but the row over here continues as to whether they should breed them pretty or functional. The most successful (functiomal) you see often have sportshorse, or northern european blood in them from a few decades back when the stud book was open, although you would have to do a spanish inquisition to get anyone to admit it.
 
I love them! I could watch them for hours, particularly those ridden classically. Beats the hell out of pumped up angry-mouthed warmbloods!

I have an andalusian x luso x connemara. He is beautiful and I am very lucky to have him. I didn't go out with the intention of getting an Iberian type and I certainly didn't want a grey but I ended up with him. However I have always preferred middleweight horses and hated skinny tbs.
I do get rather offended when people refer to him as a 'cob' type. I proudly point to his unfeathered fetlocks. They shut their faces when they see him REALLY move!
He is very intelligent and so has been hard work, but worth it. He is very opinionated even for a gelding and he has his 'I'm a magnificent Spanish git' moments. He is brave, cheeky and full of character. As long as he's working with you he's great, but he doesn't suffer fools or namby-pamby people and would never tolerate harsh treatment. Life with him is never ever dull!
 
Becca-84 said:
Given a choice though, I prefer the look of the Andalucian to the PRE.
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Um...Pura Raza Espanola is the correct breed terminology for a registered pure bred Andalusian, so one and the same thing lol

I 'm a pretty big fan - I have two Lusitanos and a Part bred PRE!!

All very different in looks and personality and fabulous all rounders who can turn a hoof to anything - I've dressaged, jumped, XC'd and hunted mine :-D
 
I love them. My Spanish friends breed them and I'm lucky enough to ride one of their beautiful stallions whenever I visit. If only I could fit one into my suitcase!
 
I love them, but probably marginally prefer Lusitanos overall. Don't be fooled though they are very difficult to ride correctly, and they can be very sharp not like a throughbred but they are highly sensitive and very very intelligent. Riding a baroque horse properly is extremely skilfull.
 
Kao said:
I love them, but I'd love them even more if you could get them in the 13.2hh and 14.2hh variety :D
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I have seen some Iberian x Connemara's, which seems to be a good combination. In the darkest recesses of my mind I can remember something about Connemaras arriving in Ireland from the ships wrecked during the Spanish Armada thus having Spanish roots. Of course it could just be something I dreamt.:)
 
Love them, though I'm biased :-). Sensitive, intelligent and with bags of personality. Slow of you want to xc or anything, but it does mean you can do shorter, windier canters on your hacks than friends on TBs!

Re: the horses at the ferias in Spain, they are usually in sweet iron bits similar to Western horses and ridden with one hand. There are good and bad riders of course, but they should (and where I've been, mostly are) ridden with almost no hand but from the seat and legs.
 
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