The amazing Andalusian horse! We are celebrating them as our February Breed of the Month on YourDressage!
Dressage riders who choose Andalusians as their mounts are eligible for special awards through the Adequan®/USDF All-Breeds Awards program, as the International Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Association is a participating organization.
Here, a Region 4 rider shares about the young Andalusian colt that helped her recover from the loss of her heart horse.
By Amy Sletten
Titan was not the horse I had envisioned for my next mount. I was seeking to recover from the loss of my heart horse, and I had been looking for a draft cross. I had always been in love with those sweet, gentle giants. However, the day I met Titan, a gray Andalusian, I knew he was who I had been looking for all along. Surprisingly, the gentle giant part ended up being fulfilled, too.
Titan’s story starts with another horse, Thor. In 2017, I was happily showing the amazing Thor. He was my heart – a once-in-a-lifetime horse, no doubt about it. Some readers may remember him from the profile “From Feedlot to Dressage Finals” by Jennifer M. Keeler in the May 2017 Dressage Today and USDF Connection. I had bought him in 2005 for $325 from a Minnesota feedlot and immediately connected to this shy, skinny, lice-ridden, and very cautious three-year-old Pinto. I started him that fall, and for eight years, we climbed mountains and forded streams on camping and riding adventures. In 2013, we started learning dressage. We had a rough start and didn’t break 60% for close to three years. Along the way, I got the hang of it, and he finally started to let me lead, earning us a place at the 2016 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®.
In 2017, we advanced to Second Level and had a fantastic show season. We qualified at First Level, Second Level, and Second Level Freestyle, and were poised to compete at the Great American/USDF Region 4 Dressage Championships. Then, his right hind fetlock swelled. He had a deep digital flexor tendon injury. I was devastated. I pulled Thor from further work to give him time to recover.
I started thinking about getting a second horse, perhaps another youngster. Since I was able to ride and take lessons freely on my sister Angie’s horses, I was not in a hurry. Getting a youngster meant I could start dressage training from the beginning and give him time to develop. I had my heart set on a draft cross (and a slightly bigger budget than I did with Thor) and looked at a lot of prospects. However, I just wasn’t finding the right one. It may be cheesy, but I believe when you meet the horse that you are meant to have, you “know.” I had an instant spark with both Tess (my first horse) and Thor, so I believed I would have that with my next horse.
After returning from a disappointing trip to meet another young gelding, Angie suggested I contact Kim Pitman, a childhood friend who breeds Andalusians at Morning Star Andalusians in Stanchfield, Minnesota. Her horses tended to be on the larger side for the breed, which I liked. When I called, she said she had a couple of yearlings that might be a good fit. I loved visiting her babies, so we set a date to see them.
At Morning Star Andalusians, we met the 18-month-old colt she thought might be the best fit. Brincador BP, a dark gray colt, sniffed me all over as soon I walked into his stall. There was something in his eye – he was PERFECT! Both my head and heart said: “Well, there you are! I’ve been looking for you!” I was done searching – I felt that spark! We did a pre-purchase exam (PPE), and he became mine. I had him gelded, and named this adorable little 14-ish hand baby Titan. Little did I know what a prophecy this would become!
The first few years with Titan were tough. As anyone who has raised baby horses knows, they are curious and get themselves into lots of predicaments. Titan had some scary injuries with hay feeders, was chased through a fence, and had some close calls while practicing his trailering skills. When he was three, he had a major trailering accident on the way to Cross Creek Stables, where he was on his way to board. While we don’t know the details exactly, we believe he was sitting on the butt bar, and when the trailer started up a hill, he slipped and lost his footing. When we felt the trailer rocking, we pulled onto a side street to see what had happened. We opened the door to the empty side of the trailer, and there was Titan, sitting on his rear end like a dog, with his front right leg stuck over the middle divider. Because he was already well over 16 hands, his height probably saved his life. Titan looked at us with the trailer door fully open and waited for us to fix the situation so he could get himself unstuck. With the help of a hammer, we unhooked the divider and tied it to the window. Titan waited until the door was shut again before he thrashed himself off the divider. Throughout the whole incident, he didn’t panic and never got hurt. Although Titan can be reactive, he is all business and keeps his head when it really counts. Andalusians are smart and think through things. This smart and thoughtful demeanor is what has truly endeared me to the breed.
While Titan was busy growing up, Thor spent over a year recuperating from his tendon injury and was eventually introduced back to his herd. We slowly started back to work, and things were going well. Then, one November night in 2019, he was unable to walk in a straight line. The only indication of an injury was a small lump on his neck. Allegedly, he had had a pasture accident, and fractured a chunk of vertebrae between C6 and C7. After more rehab, I could carefully ride him again under the supervision of our veterinarian. However, in the spring of 2021, he began to exhibit major neurologic signs. I took him to the University of Minnesota’s Leatherdale Equine Center, but all their efforts could not reverse his advanced ataxia. He was not safe to be around, nor would he have the happy retirement I had always envisioned for him. On May 1, 2021, I said goodbye to Thor – my dear partner, my confidant, my best friend.
To say I was thankful to have Titan is an understatement! I had been lucky to have Thor and Titan together for almost two years. During this time, I had the opportunity to bond with him and let that relationship bloom. Now, at four years old, he was starting to go undersaddle; I would have a fantastic new riding partner soon! We took things slowly for the sake of his body development and my own comfort. My trainer, Heather Salden Kurtz, rode him exclusively until he was five, and she showed him at Introductory and Training Levels. I got to be the “show mom” for a change and watch her ride. He was nervous in the new environment, and had to be led around the warmup on the first day. Despite a “fun” rear and spin at the final salute of his first test, he was a solid citizen. He did great!
I slowly started riding him in weekly lessons, and then was given “permission” (ok, a swift kick in the butt!) to start riding on my own without “adult supervision.” Our relationship grew! Each horse is different, and they approach things in their own ways. I learned that Titan thought and reacted to new experiences much differently than Thor. Titan can be reactive but has never done anything too crazy. For me, this rapport takes a lot of time. Because of all our adventures together, I knew how Thor would react in 99% of all situations. I had to learn this with Titan.
Titan continued to grow. His name turned out to be appropriate, as he outgrew both his parents and landed at 17.1 hands, uncommon for Andalusians. He is big and powerful, but so much fun! We had our first show year together in the summer of 2022, and it was a great learning experience. He can get tense, but with Heather’s amazing instruction and support, we got through it.
My goal for all my horses is to be well-rounded. We may not always be able to go in the show ring, but there are so many ways to work with him and enjoy being together. I took Titan camping and trail riding, which was pivotal for relationship-building.
The summer of 2023 was a highlight of our partnership. I hoped to be able to show Training and First Levels – First Level was, admittedly, a stretch goal. I also hoped to achieve scores to qualify for year-end awards from Central States Dressage and Eventing (CSDEA), our local GMO, and the USDF All-Breed Awards from the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association (IALHA). We came out of the gate swinging at our first show and earned some fantastic scores, even in the 70s! We showed at three shows and the Region 4 Championships, finishing as Champion for Adult Amateur Training Level and sixth for Adult Amateur First Level in the CSDEA year-end awards. We also earned Reserve Champion for Adult Amateur Training and First Level, plus Reserve and fifth place Open in the USDF All-Breeds Awards for IALHA. What an honor!
I am so proud to look back at last year, knowing how much we got to experience together, and what a joy Titan is. I just can’t help but smile every time I get to spend time with him and ride him. We also had a fantastic week-long camping trip in Northern Minnesota, where he was a rock star.
The 2024 show season is quickly approaching. This summer might be lighter show-wise, as we work to move up to Second Level. We both have a lot to learn together! Additionally, my sister Angie and I now co-own a soon-to-be-4-year-old half-Andalusian/half-Lusitano gelding, Quimero PEM (“Tenny”), who will be started fully under saddle this year. We have high hopes for him!
Andalusian horses are something special. They have huge hearts, and kind temperaments. I am excited for my future with Titan and Tenny, and so thankful for the solid foundation I received from my first heart horses. Having the opportunity to bond with and earn the love of an Andalusian, is something truly special. It can heal even the most broken of hearts.
