Love my huge imported warmblood

[Bronte]

Am I the only person here getting a little bored with all the “large, expensive, imported warmblood” rants.

So, here we go gals/lads…

Here’s my story:
At the age of 50 something, and could finally afford a terrific horse, yes, yes all of my previous horses were terrific, and this expensive, imported horse is bred for it… And it is so much easier…I mean a horse that is really bred for the sport. And I was lucky enough to find one and be able to affored it… I have competed FEI on my much beloved TB, I am a AA rider, who can sit the trot…And I am so pleased that I finally got this amazingly gifted horse.

I am 5’5", I bought him as a 4 yr old. He was 16:1. He is now a wide 17h. I am just fine with him. I do not have a problem collecting him, or a 8 meter circle, or whatever else. He is now 7 yrs. Very confirmed 2nd, really good 3rd.

I totally support all of my colleagues, regardless of the breed or size of their horse. Please show me some support also.

Signed
Enough of the WB bashing

[Jazzy_Lady]

Me me!!! I went from a 15.2 arab to a 16h tbx to my 17h (19h when he’s scared of something :p) wb and I luff him. I’m 5’4" and sometimes he can be a handful when he goes into his “I’m too lazy to actually use my hind end back and I’d rather just have hissy fits until you make me” and then sometimes I wish for a small little arab back… lol. But he gets over it and then it’s amazing.

[KatieStanley]

If there is any bashing going around- It’s pure jealousy. I just bought a 4 yr old TB mare that I feel will do great at dressage and I am very happy with her. I do look forward to the day that I to can afford a warmblood…but for now I look forward to growing with my TB mare and taking her as far as she can go…maybe even beating a few WB’s along the way? Hehe. :winkgrin:

[Arathita]

I have not seen anyone “bashing warmbloods”. I haven’t seen anyone particularly “bashing” large horses, either. I have seen people questioning the market for big horses and celebrating small horses.

So what?

Good for you. You purchased and imported an expensive horse that you really like. Congratulations! I’m sure you’ll have alot of fun with him. Why do you need other peoples’ support on your decision? Just enjoy your horse.

[Foxtrot_s]

But he didn’t have to be imported to have the European bloodlines - almost all of which exist in NA.

[Kementari]

The thing is that some people (myself included) just get darn tired of hearing about how getting a huge “purpose-bred” imported beastie is somehow better - even the OP, though polite, implies this in almost every sentence.

I don’t care if you have a warmblood. Personally, I don’t tend to prefer the type - just like I don’t prefer most Quarter Horses, Saddlebreds, or Standardbreds. It’s not to do with the scores they get at their respective shows; it’s to do with my own personal aesthetics. I like Thoroughbreds, Arabs, and Connemara ponies (among other breeds, of course ;)) - some other people don’t prefer those breeds. It takes all kinds, and all that…

Honestly, I haven’t got a thing against warmbloods, for people who enjoy them. I think a working Quarter Horse is amazing to see (or ride). I used to stay late at the fair each year to watch the 5-gaited class at the end of the night. I know some Standardbreds who are absolute delights to their owners. Just because I don’t want one doesn’t mean I don’t think they are perfectly nice horses with every bit as much potential as the breeds that I prefer.

What I can’t stand, though, is hearing over and over - both implied and (less often) outright - that I’m somehow a lower class of horseperson because of my choice of breeds. That my skills would be better put to use on a warmblood (doesn’t matter what SORT of warmblood, of course, so long as it’s big and thick-boned and has a fancy brand). That I’ll never get anywhere with my Arab because she’s a) an Arab, and b) small.

I expected, based on her genetics, that my girl would end up about 15-15.1. I suppose theoretically she could have a late growth spurt, but she’s 5 and 14.2, so I’m not banking on it. And people have SAID to me, “She’s too small: when are you going to sell her and buy a real horse?” (I do look a little big on her, but I really don’t think I’m in danger of smooshing her…) ;))

So, yeah, I (and others like me) lash out sometimes at the warmblood lovers. Can you really blame us that much? I try to do it in private, with others of like mind (or just with my horse, who I accused of “acting like a flightly warmblood” the other day when she had a Green Horse Moment on the trail… :lol:), but when people are telling me I should buy a “real” horse, is it that surprising that once in awhile I say something out loud?

Someone once complained on this board (I think even this section) about people who start every thought about their Arab with the words, “My Arab…” instead of “My horse…” Well, I’ll be happy to start doing that (actually, I generally only refer to breed when it’s relevant, anyway :yes:) as soon as the WB owners stop starting everything with “my Hanno mare,” “my 17 hand KWPN schoolmaster,” or “my imported warmblood.”

We really should all be unconcerned with one another’s choices of breed (unless planning on breeding to one of them :winkgrin:), but it’s going to take a lot of years of people not claiming across-the-board superiority for huge WBs before those of us on all the other horses out there stop feeling like we have to defend ourselves at every turn. I’m not saying that’s a good thing, but it IS human nature.

[slc2]

Actually, there is an immense amount of anti warmblood commentary on this website, as well as a great deal of commentary that my mini should win the olympics and would except the judges aare all blind and stupid, judging is all yanked around to favor warmbloods, warmbloods score higher… You just don’t see it as ‘anti warmblood’ opinion and commentary once you declare it’s a ‘fact’. LOL.

A day doesn’t go by here withiout someone complaining they have no balance, they go ‘thundering by pounding their joints’, they are stupid, they are ungainly, hard to ride, overpriced, stupid people buy them, yadda, yadda, yadda yadda, the only reason they win is because it’s a fad, stupid people buying stupid horses for too much money, bleah bleah bleah. Or as my mom would say, myeh myeh myeh.

[Sabine]

I have both- the ‘traditional’ WB dressage horse and the ‘off breed’ unusual dressage horse.
They are both amazing and I would have a hard time if not at all it would be possible to decide which I liked to ride better.
The large 17.3 WB when he goes well gives you a feeling of absolutely every button being on the dashboard and going well and completely being ready to carry out each and every request.
The rather hot off breed- is an excitement to ride no matter what- has amazing physical ability and needs the utmost concentration on the part of the rider. All his buttons are always there- you just have to ask correctly and make no mistakes.

A good horse is a good horse- no matter what size - breed or color. Go ride and experience it…haha!!

[grayarabpony]

So there’s been WB bashing? I wish I’d have known, I would have joined the fun.

[Arathita]

[QUOTE=slc2;3706876]
Actually, there is an immense amount of anti warmblood commentary on this website, as well as a great deal of commentary that my mini should win the olympics and would except the judges aare all blind and stupid, judging is all yanked around to favor warmbloods, warmbloods score higher… You just don’t see it as ‘anti warmblood’ opinion and commentary once you declare it’s a ‘fact’. LOL.

A day doesn’t go by here withiout someone complaining they have no balance, they go ‘thundering by pounding their joints’, they are stupid, they are ungainly, hard to ride, overpriced, stupid people buy them, yadda, yadda, yadda yadda, the only reason they win is because it’s a fad, stupid people buying stupid horses for too much money, bleah bleah bleah. Or as my mom would say, myeh myeh myeh.[/QUOTE]

Are you serious? Please point out these daily posts. I must have missed them. Where are the posts that minis should win the Olympics? Or that big WBs have no balance, or are ungainly? or that stupid people buy them? PLEASE point this out. You’re on a roll tonight.

Fact is that alot of people on this board own warmbloods. And alot don’t. This board does not really tip one way or the other. People just share their experiences.

[Bugs-n-Frodo]

Personally, I think it is fine to be proud of the horse (s) you own, even the breed. I have a TB mare, I love her SOO much and she taught me SOO much over the years. Personally, I love TBs in general. They are elegant, forward thinking, stoic (not all, but many), and they have HUGE hearts. I also have an Anglo Trakehner. I love him, love him, love him, love him. He’s pretty fabulous and, like many, I have always wanted a WB, specifically a Trakehner, so, yeah, I am proud of him. Not to mention that I bred him myself. I ride at a dressage barn that is full of WBs, to be honest, some of them are, well, not so pretty to look at when standing in their stalls. However, they are super movers and “pretty up” right away under saddle, if you know what I mean. It doesn’t really matter as long as you love your beast. Sure, brag about your 18h imported WB BEAST who is a GP schoolmaster, I would if he were mine too! Go ahead and brag about your 14.3h hony beating the pants off of the 18h imported beast, I would too if he were mine. And, if you have waited 50 years for that dream horse, well hell, I do not care WHERE he came from, you deserve to brag, you earned it after all of these years regardless if it is a bred to the hilt QH or a giant imported WB… YOU GO GIRL! I just enjoy the fact that you are so thrilled with your horse and love it so much because it is one less horse being abused or neglected.

[Bobthehorse]

People can do as they please, buy horses that make them feel however they want, whatever. The problem is, as I see it, that people can get really snotty about it. Sometimes it seems like bigger = better, when it doesnt. Neither does smaller. Or that WB is synonymous with talent, because it isnt always the case. Im sick of horses being paraded around as status symbols, in terms of size, colour, breed, price, ability to reproduce, whatever. I personally see no reason that a horse needs to be over 17h to be a great horse. Size does not guarantee talent, nor stride, nor brains, nor quality. Its simply size. And the same goes for breed.

[dainty_do]

I am very jealous, and also very happy for you. Can you tell me more about him so I can live vicariously. Seriously. For example, what color is he? How many horses did you look at before you found him? Do you think there are comparable young horses in the U.S.? And, most importantly, how did you know he was THE one? (Was it love at first site?) What feature(s) were most important?

Some day, I may have one of my own, but for now-- just tell me as much as possible.

Thanks (in advance)!!

[Bugs-n-Frodo]

Seems like most people need a “status symbol” and if it is not their horse, it is their car, their house or their boat. Yeah, I know people get snotty and the way I handle that is to mind my own business and work harder, maybe someday it will be ME beating the pants off of them. I don’t care, as long as the horse is well taken care of, the owner can be a snot all she wants.

[oharabear]

Am I oblivious to breed-ism? I don’t really recall a ton of that on here. That’s why I love this board. It’s more baout the training and the knowledge that comes from a broad spectrum of experiences. Breeds, I think, are only mentioned when they’re specific or relevant to the conversation.

But then, I’m pretty oblivious to things like that most of the time. Two days ago my hay delivery guy asked me, “What kind of horses do you got here?” I stared at him for a minute in confusion, thinking, “I am only supposed to do one breed? What does he mean by that?”

Then I turned and looked at the 6 horses in my barn and started rattling off, “TB, Morgan, Saddlebred, POA/Welsh, Mustang/mutt/rescue thing, and a world-class AQHA… why?” :lol:

[smokygirl]

Breedism exists everywhere it seems. I think the important thing to remember, always, is that they are horses first, their breed second. Yes there are lovely Warmbloods bred to perform dressage well that are a joy to ride. Their are Arabians bred to perform dressage well that are a joy to ride. There are Morgans bred to perform dressage well that are a joy to ride. There are Welsh Ponies bred to perform dressage well that are a joy to ride. There are Lipizzans bred to perform dressage well (lol) that are a joy to ride. There are Fresians bred to perform dressage well that are a joy to ride. I’m even told that there are people who enjoy riding Quarter horses in Dressage. There are great horses in almost every breed who excel at the discipline. There are horses in each breed that don’t and have other exceptional talents that bring there owners happiness. And that is the most important job any horse has. To be happy and bring joy to the lives of their people. Without that, then they would cease to be appreciated and enjoyed so much.

Oddly, the forum I’ve encountered with the least amount of breedism… is a forum that is made up of almost exclusively 1 breed owners/breeders. But all breeds are discussed and appreciated there, as well as all disciplines.

[Thomas_1]

[QUOTE=Bronte;3706660]
Am I the only person here getting a little bored with all the “large, expensive, imported warmblood” rants.

So, here we go gals/lads…

Here’s my story:
At the age of 50 something, and could finally afford a terrific horse, yes, yes all of my previous horses were terrific, and this expensive, imported horse is bred for it… And it is so much easier…I mean a horse that is really bred for the sport. And I was lucky enough to find one and be able to affored it… I have competed FEI on my much beloved TB, I am a AA rider, who can sit the trot…And I am so pleased that I finally got this amazingly gifted horse.

I am 5’5", I bought him as a 4 yr old. He was 16:1. He is now a wide 17h. I am just fine with him. I do not have a problem collecting him, or a 8 meter circle, or whatever else. He is now 7 yrs. Very confirmed 2nd, really good 3rd.

I totally support all of my colleagues, regardless of the breed or size of their horse. Please show me some support also.

Signed
Enough of the WB bashing [/QUOTE] I must have missed all that!

So some folks like warmbloods and some don’t. So what?

I’m also wondering why you seem to think its worthy of posting that you’ve a warmblood that’s able to do dressage.

I’d have thought that it was pretty well proven that they’ve a good record there. I’d have also thought that it was going to be obvious to a blind man that a purpose bred horse was going to be good at it’s job.

[Thomas_1]

[QUOTE=smokygirl;3707124]
Breedism exists everywhere it seems. [/QUOTE] Breedism??? :eek:Breedism!!! :no:

I think you’re talking about personal preference and acknowldgement that centuries of breeding for purpose and type means that some breeds do better at some things than others.

I think the important thing to remember, always, is that they are horses first, their breed second.
WTF does that mean??

Yes there are lovely Warmbloods bred to perform dressage well that are a joy to ride. Their are Arabians bred to perform dressage well that are a joy to ride. There are Morgans bred to perform dressage well that are a joy to ride. There are Welsh Ponies bred to perform dressage well that are a joy to ride. There are Lipizzans bred to perform dressage well (lol) that are a joy to ride. There are Fresians bred to perform dressage well that are a joy to ride. I’m even told that there are people who enjoy riding Quarter horses in Dressage.
What does being a joy to ride have to do with a breed consistently performing well in a discipline. What does it matter if occassionally an owner enjoyes riding a quarter horse in a dressage competion.

There are great horses in almost every breed who excel at the discipline.
Not so. The breeds that excel tend to be pretty much of a type.

There are horses in each breed that don’t and have other exceptional talents that bring there owners happiness. And that is the most important job any horse has. To be happy and bring joy to the lives of their people. Without that, then they would cease to be appreciated and enjoyed so much.
What a load of anthropomorphic twaddle!

Oddly, the forum I’ve encountered with the least amount of breedism… is a forum that is made up of almost exclusively 1 breed owners/breeders. But all breeds are discussed and appreciated there, as well as all disciplines.
Erm I think you’ll find that its an elite group of people that have a narrow and common interest in a breed. That’s why they’ll tend not to disagree so much!

[slc2]

“Correct conformation, balance and movement are very hard to find in the European WBs.”…goes on to say correct conformation balance and movement are far easier to find in domestic american breeds.

there’s an example.

[tikidoc]

I don’t think that there is any question that criticism of breeds occurs on this board, although I don’t know that the posts are daily. I have seen many references to “dumbbloods”, bashing of draft crosses (although admittedly this was worse at UDBB, but I have not been there in a while), etc. I have seen some really venomous threads bashing certain breeds/types (admittedly none in recent weeks). I also see people celebrating their smaller horses and their draft crosses and their mutts and whatever else they have, as they should.

I also have the perspective of someone who owns multiple breeds. A WB gelding who moves like a warmblood but looks kind of like a big boned, overgrown TB yearling with big ears - much cuter than that sounds tho, an 11 yo Clyde/TB cross who loves to jump but has a fear of cross country courses, an 8 yo POA gelding (for the kids) who is 1/4 Oldenburg (found that out after I bought him but it explains a lot about his conformation), and as of a week ago, a rescue OTTB who is narrowly escaped slaughter and is an absolute doll, despite the abuse he endured. Although my WB probably has the most potential for success in competition pf my horses, I love them all for what they are. Don’t we all?

I guess I was sort of rambling, but what I am trying to say (not so successfully as I am only halfway through my AM coffee) is that all of us should think a little before we write anything critical here, and think about how it may make others on the board feel. Because when you bash “dumbbloods” (or some other kind of horse), you are bashing animals that some people on this board love.