Dutch’s video in another thread reminded me how much I love this stallion! And his frozen is pretty good as well.
But I was told point-blank by a German breeder that “Americans don’t ride well enough for Ferro foals.”:eek:
I would cross him to a Rubinstein granddaughter.
Are Ferro’s foals really that difficult? What does he consistantly bring to the table as a stallion and what sort of mare does he do best with?
My Ferro son (Deja Blue B) has been praised as having a fantastic work ethic. He’s sensitive and must be treated fairly, but (when he was undersaddle) he would work his heart out.
He’s a very smart horse and you have to keep in mind that he’s always thinking!
Edited to add that DBB’s offspring seem suited for the hunter ring. His 3 year old gelding son just won his HB class at Upperville. Looking forward to his undersaddle career 
The ones I’ve seen are hot - so not a line we wanted to use to have offspring that would be saleable in the US market.
He interests me alot …he seems to stamp his offspring quite well? For those of you with experience, do you think he would suit a German Trakehner mare, super solid temperament/rideability, long legged, longer in the body. She has three super gaits (tonnes of expression, sit ect) and uses her body really well. She could use a longer croup and a bit more bone.
A client of mine has this beautiful mare and offered me the chance to do an ET. I would be breeding for a competative FEI horse.
TIA!
I have bred to Ferro in the past and have seen enough Ferro foals and their mothers, that I think I can say the following…
He’s an older style horse and can put a short front leg on his offspring unless the mare has length there. Other than that he puts a beautiful front end, great canter, straight-ish hind legs, and a sloped croup on his offspring. Oh, and he cannot produce chestnut…
I believe he gets a bad rap on his temperament, but will say that I wouldn’t breed him to a hot mare.
In summary, breed him to a nice tempered, modern, leggy mare that needs improvement in the front end (neck and head), and her gaits and you’ll be happy with the outcome.
My trainer has one… he’s a very, VERY sensitive ride, but incredibly sweet and kind natured… he’s a bit of an overachiever and will work himself into some interesting knots trying to sort things through :eek:
We have two Ferro sons in our barn, and I have a student with one. The all have wonderful dispositions. The two in our barn are sensitive to ride and forward on their own, but not hot at all. My student’s gelding is LAZY! In my experience (which has only been to ride 5 Ferro sons) they are all difficult in the contact in some ways. I have heard this from other trainers as well. All of the Ferros I’ve ridden have been quite different, but they were all complicated in the contact and difficult to get honestly through. They were also all very nice horses, though, and I would love to have any of them in my barn.
What would you expect to see from Ferro x Zeoliet?
From what I’ve seen, I agree with Siegi B’s assessment. Typically a shorter front leg, super canter, sloped croup, dark color. The ones I’ve known have not necessarily had a “bad” temperament, but usually are sensitive or idiosyncratic in some way. I recently saw one competing at a CDI in Quebec. I was super impressed and spoke to his very skilled rider afterwards. She told me that he was one of the most difficult but most talented horses she had ever ridden. She had bought him for a song because the previous rider couldn’t handle him, then spent years with him bolting with her in the ring. It took them a long time, but eventually he came around to be a super FEI horse.
What (if any) sort of height does he throw?
I don’t know about offspring, but I used to take lessons on his half brother. He was just amazing. He could be a little sensitive at times, but his disposition couldn’t be beat.
Ferro is still one of my favourite stallions. He is prepotent for passing on a powerful engine behind with a super ability to sit. The canters are usually very good.
Speaking from my personal experience of three full siblings, two are very much alike in type, the third has a larger head and big ears, but she is a big mare and her head suits her. She has more of her mother in her, but the Ferro influence is still clearly visible.
All my Ferros are very forward with tremendous work ethics and very bold - kind of like riding the energizer bunny. One sold some years ago, so I am speaking from earlier experience with that one. They are very sensitive to the aids - so don’t do well with a rider with harsher hands/aids. My Ferros already have the rider pegged before a foot is in the stirrup. Earning their respect starts on the ground - they will try just little things to see what they can get away with. Patience is something they must be taught. They may become hot under saddle but it is a good hot - they are trying so hard. Mine are all very powerful which could be intimidating for a rider not used to this. I’ve said it before, Ferros don’t suffer fools gladly - they are highly intelligent and very athletic, and can be opportunists. Treat them fairly and give them a skilled rider, and they will be a devoted partner.
Donella, crossing Ferro with your mare sounds interesting. I think Ferro does best when crossed with a mare with blood and size. He doesn’t pass on long legs, so mare should have those, and hope for the best.
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