What do we think of Spanish/Iberian horses?

[templewood]

Ironic isn't it, that dressage really started with the Iberians, yet now it is considered that they can't do dressage - but competition dressage is a competition, not just about training, so it is what the judge wants to see in order to win.

The Spanish horses are lovely to look at and everyone I know who owns them think they are wonderful.

IMO dressage has become showing for Warmbloods. I should imagine that a lot of people involved are either Warmblood breeders or dealers.
Warmbloods are basicaly derived from carriage horses, such as Oldenburg, Hanovarian, Gelderlander etc. They have impressive ground covering trots, because that's what carriage horses mostly do. They're tall, carriage horses don't need to be easy to mount! People are always saying that they can't sit to their big movement. You don't need to sit on a carriage horse! They can't sit and collect properly, why would they need too? Carriage horses need to pull with their shoulders. They have been crossed with Thoroughbreds, to make them lighter. Thoroughbreds were developed to go as fast as possible in one direction!

I have to laugh when I see people stuggling to haul these poor Warmbloods around a dressage arena. They are just not designed for it!

Fuego, who is a PRE, looked happy in his tests at WEG because it was easy for him, physically and mentally. It's centuries of breeding! You don't need to force an Iberian to collect with spurs and the curb on a double bridle!

Maybe the dressage fraternity will come to their senses and make life easy for themselves by getting an Iberian, but I won't hold my breath. Too much money involved!

 

[SusannaF]

If they introduced airs above ground to Grand Prix I think there would be a shake up.

Actually, that's something I'm curious about. Why did the airs above ground get removed from Grand Prix dressage in the first place?

 

[j1ffy]

Were airs above the ground ever part of GP dressage? I believe Spanish Walk was but not sure about more than that.

Re: the "modern" vs. "classical" dressage, there was an elucidating post about this a while back, with some of the dressage riders on here giving me a good education in the French / Spanish school vs the German school. Most modern dressage is based on the latter. The discussion goes from about here: http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=374804&page=4

Also, re the PRE vs Andalusian, found this earlier (can you tell I've had an admin day with lots of need for distractions..?!): http://www.pure-spanish-horse-spain.com/what-is-an-andalusian.html

 

[Doncella]

As long as their ears are the proper length and they have a shot of Donkey in them,I'm all for them

How fab is this????

 

[ThoroughbredStar]

Ironic isn't it, that dressage really started with the Iberians, yet now it is considered that they can't do dressage - but competition dressage is a competition, not just about training, so it is what the judge wants to see in order to win.

The Spanish horses are lovely to look at and everyone I know who owns them think they are wonderful.

Absolutely Orange!!! This frustrates me considerably! Iwas speaking with someone who competes in BD the other day, and she was saying, no, the spanish horses are not liked by judges in dressage as there movement isn't desired!!!!!! Hmmmmmmm.........

 

[ThoroughbredStar]

IMO dressage has become showing for Warmbloods. I should imagine that a lot of people involved are either Warmblood breeders or dealers.
Warmbloods are basicaly derived from carriage horses, such as Oldenburg, Hanovarian, Gelderlander etc. They have impressive ground covering trots, because that's what carriage horses mostly do. They're tall, carriage horses don't need to be easy to mount! People are always saying that they can't sit to their big movement. You don't need to sit on a carriage horse! They can't sit and collect properly, why would they need too? Carriage horses need to pull with their shoulders. They have been crossed with Thoroughbreds, to make them lighter. Thoroughbreds were developed to go as fast as possible in one direction!

I have to laugh when I see people stuggling to haul these poor Warmbloods around a dressage arena. They are just not designed for it!

Fuego, who is a PRE, looked happy in his tests at WEG because it was easy for him, physically and mentally. It's centuries of breeding! You don't need to force an Iberian to collect with spurs and the curb on a double bridle!

Maybe the dressage fraternity will come to their senses and make life easy for themselves by getting an Iberian, but I won't hold my breath. Too much money involved!

 

[Laura1812]

Absolutely love the sculpture - fantastic piece.

The PRE that the sculpture is of will be for sale - pm if you want more info! He is VERY baroque!

 

[boneddiges]

Epitome of the Iberian horse, and simply my all time favourite video- the agility and manueverability of horse and rider are surreal, probably the closest to a living centaur I have seen. The horse (Merlin) is 7/8 Lusitano and 1/2 Quarter Horse. And to correct registry definitions, Spain registers PRE (Pure Razo Espanole), Portugal registers PSL (Puro Sangue Lusitano) and in the USA the IALHA (International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association) registers Andalusians (Dna confirmed in full to spanish, portuguese or a combination of both studbooks) So here is the video set to music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgG_Gwy7Ysg
PS, as much as I loved my first horse (a TB), never in a million years could a TB or Warmblood move like this.

 

[Changes]

So here is the video set to music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgG_Gwy7Ysg

How sad. I cannot conceive how anyone could risk their prize animal in the torture of another.

 

[Taffyhorse]

^^^What she said. The horse is stunning but unfortunately the fact its rider is throwing pics into the bulls shoulders kind of detracts from the overall picture.

I didn't finish watching it as it made me feel sick!

 

[OEH]

I live for my Lusitanos. I've got 2 pure breds, a 7 yo gelding and a yearling colt; a 15 yo gelding who sadly is now retired and a 3 yo luso x warmblood.

They are the cleverest most kind hearted horses I've ever ridden. They respond to the slightest aids. They are phenomenally beautiful.

Xaile, the 7 yo

Enigma, the colt

Obelisco the 15 yo

And Roo the 3 yo

 

[noblesteed]

OEH they are stunning! I particularly love Enigma's baroque head, he is going to be magnificent!

 

[dany]

Well Ive had warmbloods for the past 10 years and each one has either been stuffy and nappy or sharp and still nappy. It was just by whim that I started speaking to a PRE breeder who said I could just come and meet / try the breed and I just fell in love.

Im not a youngster anymore, so I have aches and pains when I ride, but not on a PRE. Sitting trot is a dream! soooo comfortable and no strong aids needed.

I think most people apreciate the romance of the breed, even if you dont like the functionality of them. After all, there is a reason they are used most of all in TV and Films.


Another self indulgent photo of the new boy...i must sort out a signature!

 

[Saucisson]

I'm surrounded by them!


Give me an Arab/Anglo Arab any day!

OH despises "Spanish horses" as I think they are sold here. The ones with the crazy leg movements? He also despised arabs..........until I got my little half arab man.

OH eating his words as he is training my horse........he can't believe how quickly he learns and how tough he is (he's half arab (Dad, pure arab) and half selle francais/anglo arab (Mum)) OH now eating his hat, that can only make me happy

 

[tristar]

i have a tres sangres stallion, pura raza espanole x anglo/arab, is this the super horse of the future?, he has one youngster now 2 half years, bred to prove his father and he is the best foal i've bred through 4 generations.

I don't know if people are aware but anabel jay is trying establish, on behalf of the spanish cria or stud book registration of all british bred hispano arabe and anglohispano arabe, tres sangres horses, so they can have their own stud book registry, she only has to the end of this year then the chance might be lost forever! not only your own book but shows - grading etc. ! you can contact her at eponahispano@talktalk for details

 

[Smile_and_Wave]

I love them but find they are often too small, im a very leggy and most of them are a bit short for me

 

[equusoo]

'The Spanish horse is the most worthy of being mounted by a king in the days of Triumph.'
- Francois Robinchon

I think that quote pretty much sums the PRE up as a whole! I own one myself, a rising 5yo grey gelding called Arioso and he is the most noble, majestic, beautiful, and amazingly friendly and docile horse. I think all of my future horses will either be PREs or Lusitanos.