What is wrong with novices taking on an Iberian?

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TheShark

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Just as the q. Seen a lot of comments about it and I wondered why some people are so against it?

Is it the character of the breed or the way they are reared in Spain that makes them unsuitable?

Can anyone explain? Just interested. :)
 
SianEliza said:
Is it the character of the breed or the way they are reared in Spain that makes them unsuitable?
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Both of those reasons really. They are very much 'blood' horses and were bred for very specific reasons/traits.

The way they are reared is so very different to the way we tend to do things in this country, owners need to realise this and give the horses plenty of time to adjust.

IME they are horses which always make you 'think' - they like to keep you on your toes!
 
I think it depends on where you get them from, mine is only half bred (but crossed with TB) and I guess he wouldn't really be suitable for a complete novice (read he can be a bit of a pansy!) but he is not a difficult horse. I am by no means a great rider, but we have a good relationship, and I am generally pretty calm around him with stuff which helps I think, as he can be a bit sensitive - he has never set foot in spain :)
 
Me neither actually :eek: how do I hope to win if I don't even remember to buy a ticket :mad:

I think they deserve about as much as large odd toed ungulates who take on PB arabs, myself :D
 
"Come ON, JFTD, when's that box arriving for me????"

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:p:p
 
Having been riding for 26 years and owned for almost 20 of them, I still consider myself a novice, albeit an experienced one. I do have a problem with true novices, as in, inexperienced unknowledgeable people, taking on any horse from a welfare point of veiw.
 
Friends of mine took on an Andalusian as a first horse and he was only 4 recently gelded very green. He can be a bit rude as he has very much been brought up as a spoilt pet but they love him, he's not dangerous and does all that they want so like anything else it really depends on the horse. He's ten now and has made them very happy. I'm sure in more professional hands he would have turned out a lot better but at the end of the day I don't suppose he cares.
 
JFTD said:
DEAR GOD, STOP IT!

I still have that photo up in another tab :o I might email the seller and see how big he is atm later... Not commiting myself to anything (or than an asylum :D)
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:D I've got him bookmarked as well :o I'm going to have to stick a sheet of paper above the monitor that says YOU DO NOT NEED ANOTHER HORSE, AND PARTICULARLY NOT A YOUNGSTER!

Especially since I've just got driving directions from Google Maps and it's only four hours south of here to go and have a look at him...
 
JoannaC said:
Friends of mine took on an Andalusian as a first horse and he was only 4 recently gelded very green. He can be a bit rude as he has very much been brought up as a spoilt pet but they love him, he's not dangerous and does all that they want so like anything else it really depends on the horse. He's ten now and has made them very happy. I'm sure in more professional hands he would have turned out a lot better but at the end of the day I don't suppose he cares.
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This is what my horse was like for the year before I bought him, after spending his first 3 years in Spain. As a big overgrown pet, he was fine being owned by a novice, as he was pretty much getting his own way and never being asked to do any real work.

However, when he started to be properly schooled and worked, this is where a novice would have had a problem. He has a kind temperament, but is also very clever. For the first 6 months he tried all sorts of tricks to get out of having to do work, and he could also be strong and pushy on the ground. He was (and still is) sharp. A year on, he is turning into a thoroughly lovely horse. But if he had been given an inch in the first 6 months, he would have taken a mile and turned into a nightmare.
 
Oi, hands off you!

I don't "need" another horse, but it would be useful. I mean I currently have 3 and not on livery so if I want to take two away for a horseball weekend or so my mother can ride my old boy and do pairs with me at TREC, I really need a companion for my other yearling.

Its about 7 hours north of me, but I don't mind the drive... If I knew where I was going next year for sure I'd have him in a shot. But would it be much worse to have to move 4 than 3 anyway? Realistically it's not going to make a massive difference... Oh god...
 
I'd say from my experience they are actually the best breed to be the first horse, provided you'll be strict with them and not be swayed by their beautiful looks. Most reputable breeders in Spain bring them up in a very "tough love" manner, which makes them very respectful of people generally. I'd say there's no other breed that are so suitable to being around people. The problems start when they start being treated like cuddly gods.
 
"cuddly gods" :D Oh that made me laugh, what a wonderful idea :D

(don't mind me, I'm away with the fairies today)
 
I've got a half Luso - he's by far the most intelligent horse Ive ever had. Extremely eager to please. But that makes him very quick thinking as well and sensitive. Makes him a pushbutton ride (I swear he reads my mind) but because of these things, he definately wouldnt suit a novice. I'd have a pure bred or another part bred Iberian any day.

Iberians are hot blooded, they're like thoroughbreds I guess who are also not a likely / good choice for a novice simply because they are generally much sharper than others.

BTW, remember Iberians aren't just from Spain. Lusitano's are Iberians too and they're from Portugal ;) Mine was bred on a Luso stud in Portugal and I guess they brought him up well as his manners have always been impeccable!
 
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I would consider myself a novice, despite owning and working with horses for many years; I would love an Iberian, and as soon as there's money in the bank - I'm off shopping.
However, I plan to visit a few Iberian/Classical riding places first, to have some lessons and to gain experience in handling these horses. I already ride classically, and have had lessons from a very knowledgeable trainer, but there's always more to learn!
Maybe that would be a suggestion for all 'novices' wanting to take on these lovely animals, or not :D
 
Misterjay - don't know where you are but I plan on going here for some lessons next year. I had some lessons on a luso stallion in portugal which was amazing - and want more. My half luso its not even half as obedient - but that'll be my fault for treating him as a cuddly god ;) He does have some neat trick though, like putting his feed bucket in his water bucket, and unzipping my jackets :D

http://www.lusitanocymru.co.uk/
 
Argh, careful!! I saw this picture in H&H 2.5yrs ago:
honrosofield3-2.jpg

had it open in a tab on my computer for 2 whole months and now I have the little pest!

Your piccie reminds me of mine, i think you should go see (partly cos your near me, so if you bring him down I can steal him, they could be my roman riding pair!!)

Mine is Iberian and is a very hot intelligent horse, learns both good and bad habits very fast, which I guess is where a novice owner may find they have inadvertantly taught something they didn't want. I have also been told the ones bred abroad are brought up with a firmer hand in general than many UK pleasure horse owners, so sometimes the transition can be tricky when the realise they can test the boundaries.
 
You talking to me, Kat?

Your boy is seriously sexy - I can see why you just had to have him :D

QB, he's only a quarter anda actually, so between us we'd still be one lobe short of a brain (which is a great new euphemism for psychologically challenged, I think) :D
 
Stencilface, tht's one of the places I plan to go. Ive met Janine, and her sister(?) at one of the breed champ shows and she was lovely.
Their luso's are just what I'm after; not too tall, but baroque and chunky!
Your boy sounds like a sweetie - they have such a lot of character lol
 
JFTD said:
You talking to me, Kat?

Your boy is seriously sexy - I can see why you just had to have him :D

QB, he's only a quarter anda actually, so between us we'd still be one lobe short of a brain (which is a great new euphemism for psychologically challenged, I think) :D
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Sorry, yes, was talking to you! As an East Anglian (and think I met you at Burghley on the Polly Stockton course walk) I think he will be easily nickable by me. I am too lazy to go to Scotland to pinch him.
 
JFTD said:
"cuddly gods" :D Oh that made me laugh, what a wonderful idea :D

(don't mind me, I'm away with the fairies today)
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And that makes today different from any other day because? :rolleyes:

And yes, sorry but today for some inexplicable reason it seems to be pick on JFTD day



































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You could call him Pitbull because hes saying:

'I know you want me, you know I want cha'
 
KatPT said:
Sorry, yes, was talking to you! As an East Anglian (and think I met you at Burghley on the Polly Stockton course walk) I think he will be easily nickable by me. I am too lazy to go to Scotland to pinch him.
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Lol I'm afraid I've never been to Burghley, let alone on a course walk there :o sorry :(

Whereabouts in E/A are you? I need to know if he'd be in danger if I brought him down :eek:
 
queenbee said:
And that makes today different from any other day because? :rolleyes:

And yes, sorry but today for some inexplicable reason it seems to be pick on JFTD day


You could call him Pitbull because hes saying:

'I know you want me, you know I want cha'
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Pick on me all you like, all I can look at is that little lad's face :o

I was sort of thinking he might become my "wolf" as an abbreviation of Beowulf :o

I HAVE NOT BEEN THINKING OF HIM LIKE THAT. I need a wallet padlock :(
 
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