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 7 adult amateur shares her search for a yearling PRE dressage prospect and the hopes and dreams she has for him.
By Ginger Bowles, MA.ED
Who doesn’t imagine themselves galloping down the beach on a black stallion with a long mane and tail flying in the wind?
Although I didn’t make it to the beach with my black stallion, I did start one under saddle in my mid-50s!
I am an adult amateur dressage rider developing a Purebred Spanish Horse (PRE) Andalusian.
I know what you’re thinking – I must be crazy to have searched for more than two years for a yearling colt for dressage, then spent two more years doing groundwork, before backing him myself. But in my mind, I am still just an 18-year-old horse girl!
Yes, it takes longer to heal from being run over by an excited stallion because you moved in a direction he wasn’t expecting, so you tend to be more protective of your space. Still, my stallion’s character is very good, so oddly, I trust this 3-year-old toddler more than my Second Level 13-year-old Arabian.
What attracted me to PRE/Andalusian horses was:
- 100% sound, intelligent character
- Easy movement for an older person with back issues to sit on
- Beauty
- Soundness in body
In Second Level dressage and above, you must sit the trot. Sitting the trot on other breeds of horses was like being on a jackhammer, and my back just couldn’t take it. Having sat on a couple of Andalusians, I knew this was the direction I wanted to go. I live on the West Coast, and there are probably thousands of Andalusians to choose from. Unfortunately, most are not raised for dressage. While I was searching, COVID-19 arrived, so my plans to travel to Spain to look for yearlings were dashed. I discovered most of the top breeders I admired do not sell their horses until they are three years old. Having had horses that other people have touched and all the problems that have come from that early work, I knew I did not want anyone’s hands on my next horse. If I screw up, at least I know what I did.
I found it difficult to get people to send me video clips of their horses for sale. Several of them were unsound at two years old, which was quite disturbing. I found uneven feet in the front; one foal had a parrot mouth, which shocked me; many had very short, choppy front movements, and so on. I made several long trips up and down the California valley looking at yearlings I thought might be suitable, only to be disappointed when I arrived.
One day, I saw an advertisement on Dream Horse for a black yearling colt. His sire and dam were listed, so I looked them up on the Royal Purebred Spanish Horse Breeders’ Association (ANCCE) database. I was pleased to see dressage breeding (stallion lines Favorito D and Leviton), and I found movement videos of the sire and dam, so this colt seemed quite promising. I went back and forth with the owner over several weeks, as there were no photos included in the advertisement. He finally sent me a grainy short video clip of the colt in turnout so I could see some of his movement. He was the most promising colt I had seen so far. He was in southern California, but I just couldn’t justify driving ten hours each way, so I booked a round-trip flight for the same day.
I was surprised at how tall he was for a yearling, but then the groom was short which made him look huge. He had a compact body, long straight legs, excellent feet, a lovely type, and was a wild thing with three quality gaits. He was interested in me while in turnout, which was a good sign. He was clearly an intelligent horse. Even though he was a bit wild on the initial turnout, he settled nicely, and the groom was able to walk and trot him for me to look at his movement. I had a good feeling about him. I made a deposit and then arranged for vetting. The vet I used also does the vet checks for the Tevis endurance race. He was very impressed with this young colt. So, I drove my horse trailer down to Southern California and picked up my yearling. He walked right in the trailer with the groom and was a good boy for the ten-plus-hour drive!
Once I got him home, It became clear he had not been turned out with other horses in quite a while, and he was very frustrated, angry, and destructive. He had been kept in steel and concrete stables, and made quick work of tearing apart my paddocks. After eight weeks of settling in, learning my expectations, and introducing him to my geldings, he was able to have turnout time with friends. This made a huge difference in his life.
Over the next two years, I did groundwork with him using the Tristan Tucker (TRT) method, along with natural horsemanship. I fitted him with a bit when he was just over two years of age (which he loves since he is so oral) and I did all of the preparation work for backing. I worried at times that he was not going to be everything I dreamt of, but then he’d move out in the arena, and I’d have to pinch myself that this was my horse!
He hasn’t been the easiest one I’ve started, but he is the most talented horse I have ever sat on. He should excel in dressage. He would go from standing on his hind legs, screaming his head off, to settling once I gave him direction. Everyone around me was surprised at his transformation from a wild child to an obedient toddler.
After much consideration and discussion with other dressage competitors, I decided to geld my stallion about a month or so after he was backed. I show alone, so managing a stallion by myself was asking for trouble. He still fancies himself a stud at times, and he has challenged me as a rider to expand my knowledge. Rearing used to terrify me, but now I have tools for managing it.
I have never experienced riding a horse that was truly on the bit until now. He seeks the connection and moves in self-carriage!
I can see why this feeling is addictive! It is amazing- the feeling he gives in trot and canter. He is so uphill, and you can see his shoulders reaching as he moves. I feel his mouth on the bit, yet he is so light in the hand since he is carrying himself.
This is why I searched for a talented youngster to partner with in dressage for so long. When you buy a baby horse, you have a lot of hopes and dreams of what the future might look like. I am now starting to experience some of those dreams!
So, as my trainer says, enjoy your Fabio moment as you imagine yourself cantering down the beach.
Leyenda Oscuro (Oreo) and I are excited about the future!
PS – My paddocks and round pen are steel now. Thanks to Oreo!
