Lipizzaner Temperaments

[sonestra]

Hello,

I was wondering if someone with Lipizzans experience could answer some questions about temperament. For young horses that only have ground work done, do you find that under saddle they tend to have the same disposition? Or does it tend to vary? For example, I have a friend who has a mare that is very skittish and unfocused on the ground but much better under saddle, so if you judged her on her ground manners, most people would run.

Another question is more of a personal preference. Do you prefer a Lipizzans that is a little more insecure and not as confident but wants to please and is more sensitive to direction and aids, or one that is more calm and confident, but a little more pushy? Which one do you find easier to deal with and train?

Thanks very much! I am not very familiar with the breed, but my friend is looking at some right now and asked me my preference but I am not really sure how to answer.

[bkkone]

I just sold a fabulous Lipizzan mare. I think Lipizzans are horses that suffer no fools. I like to call them wind horses. They need to know that you’re the leader and you have their back. I think you must establish this on the ground and under saddle. If the horse is more unfocused on the ground then you need to do more groundwork.

I don’t think either ‘type’ of Lipizzan that you described is better than the other. It just takes sensitivity to work with them (like any horse).

[CHSatwork]

When I worked for my vet in NJ we stood a Lippizan stallion. There were a few broodmares too. The foals were fun and easy to work with, curious, and interested. The stallion was easy to handle though I’ve never had one of any breed that didn’t have impeccable manners. The broodies were, typical sweet old broodies. I like the breed. I had one for a short time but sold him. I’m a TB through and through.

[sonestra]

My friend’s Lipizzan was an angel for groundwork but totally unfocused and flighty under saddle. Most horses I know usually are the same on the ground as under saddle so I wasn’t sure if it was a breed tendency or not. Otherwise I agree that there are strong points to each personality type and it is more what you feel more capable of dealing with.

[Sonesta]

Hi, sonestra. Just wanted to pop in here because your screen name is so very close to mine (sonesta) that I wanted to make sure people knew that we are two different people.

[clint]

A friend of mine bought a three y.o. Lipizzan quite a few years ago and had this gelding started for her. She took him home when he was probably three months undersaddle. This is not a sensitive person, or a terribly skilled rider, and this horse is fabulous, and has been from the time she got him. She is very sick now, and he takes care of her when she is well enough to ride. If all Lipizzans are as kind and forgiving as this horse is, and always has been, they are a very under-appreciated breed.

[artisticgold]

I bought my little pony sized Lipizzan filly as a very immature looking 3.5 year old over a year ago. She had been handled daily, but not much else done with her. She traveled from Florida from the farm she had been on her whole life to my farm and walked off the trailer without a care in the world. Settled in quickly, and took to her new life well. I am in my later 50s but did all the ground work and trail walking and bombproofing, and then backed her myself when she was 4. She has proven to be extremely sensible, sensitive, and much less explosive and spooky than my warmbloods. I was able to trail ride her a bit alone, ride in the ring walk, trot and a touch of canter. Lateral work has come very easily to her, I can’t wait to get started again in the spring and this year we can do much more as she is finally getting to look more mature in body. I am completely impressed with her, and also the rest of the Lipizzans I have come in contact with. They are a wonderful breed but I do think they are a bit more sensitive and intuitive so need a human who will bring out their nature and not try to suppress their natural inclinations.

[Megaladon]

Of the ones I have met and worked with I would consider them to be a professionals horse. Smart and sensitive. Nice horses.

[Chall]

[QUOTE=Sonesta;7358792]
Hi, sonestra. Just wanted to pop in here because your screen name is so very close to mine (sonesta) that I wanted to make sure people knew that we are two different people.[/QUOTE]
I totally thought it was you posting this question and was ??? about the post.

[TouchstoneAcres]

Many Lipizzans are suitable for amateurs as long as they are fairly tactful riders.But then that is true of most horses.