Ashley hammil dressage…Iberian horses from a breeder in Mexico…very very well trained
My favorite PRE breeder has been mentioned and probably would not have anything in the OP’s age & training requirements. Have you looked at any of the Faccbook pages? There is the Andalusians /Lusitano Market place page it is a public group 9000+ members and I think if you placed a ISO you would get lots of responses it’s an active page. Hampton Green Forum would also be a good place to ask as well.
There has been a big push over the last few decades within the PRE & Lusitano breeds to produce more size that is comparable to the WB’s and of course movement. My 5yr old PRE is a solid 16.2hh and might be growing again ?? .
[QUOTE=partita;8599025]
Jackass Mountain Ranch in Pasco, WA has a lovely herd. Most of the sires and dams are there too. I wound up going with another breed, but most likely would have bought a weanling from her otherwise. Had two picked out![/QUOTE]
Sending you and the OP a PM.
The short and cleaned-up version for buyers: Ask about soft-tissue problems/injuries in your horse’s relatives. My very amateur/armchair sense of this is that the North American gene pool might be a tad small and/or founded by a relatively inbred set of horses.
If anyone finds this post too incendiary, let me know and I’ll take it down.
A cross the OP may want to consider is the AZTECA (recognized as a breed in some regions)
This is a quarter horse crossed with a PRE. A number of PRE breeders also offer Azetca’s .
Yes an exotic name has been created for a QH or PRE cross.
It is called marketing 
$$$
.
[QUOTE=Crockpot;8599803]
Yes an exotic name has been created for a QH or PRE cross.
It is called marketing $$$
.[/QUOTE]
Crikey Crock - the Azteca breed has been around for eons. First developed in Mexico over 200 + years ago. There are some really nice ones around - and also some really horrible ones around. Need to be a careful shopper with this cross bred.
OP, have you thought about Quarter horses. And before you poo poo, there are some awesome ones for levels 1-4 dressage. They are typically versatile, quiet and safe.
Granted you wont get the huge movement of a WB or the spark of an Iberian (Lusitano or PRE) or Lipizzan but you will get a safe, solid citizen.
We have a couple of DQ’s at our barn here in New Mexico who have switched to QH from WB’s and are very happy. They compete at the schooling and recognized shows. They also go on a occasional trail ride in the desert and come back in one piece :lol:
Azetca is an established breed popular in the countries that breed Andies, they are mainly bred for ranch work, some have nice gaits for dressage others not so much
How can the Azteca breed be older than the QH, one of it’s “ingredients”?
[QUOTE=mvp;8599863]
How can the Azteca breed be older than the QH, one of it’s “ingredients”?[/QUOTE]
After having spoken with some Mexican breeders, and some one can correct me if I am wrong, the Azteca was developed really shortly after the first QH were developed. And that would be around the 19th century (approx 200 years ago). Mexican breeders experimented with the breed because they wanted something for ranch work but also dressage. The breed (stud book) was solidified in 1972. However according to some large domain Azteca breeders in the states of Chihuahua and Durango, crosses and experimentation goes way back to the 19th century in Mexico.
Probably due to the QH having a different name or lineage in Mexico. Azteca is a ranch bred horse, in USA they are PRE x QH but in other nations their version of a QH may differ
if it is truly a cross - QH x PRE every time -
then it will always be a cross no matter how many years the cross has been done.
Not a criticism at all and I am sure it makes a lovely cross .
We’ve had this discussion ad nauseum in COTH. But here we go again. :lol:
Most of us amateur DQ’s don’t ride enough or are not fit enough to ride a flashy WB or spunky/flashy Iberian. You need good body control at the very least to ride these guys. I see it all the time at our schooling shows in my region.
The ladies who can afford a trainer to work their horse do reasonably well but they can’t enjoy their horses on a trail ride or be totally independent when working their horse in an arena much less at a show.
Heck, I have to be in a strict fitness regime to work my guy (17.3H BWP) and I still need a trainer because I work and if I didn’t have him in training, working 5/6 days per week, I’d be in the hospital!!!
I love riding this horse of mine but I swear, when I can no longer do this I’m heading over to the dark side and getting a QH :lol:
[QUOTE=Countrywood;8599687]
I sent her a PM about an off breed horse ( large pony size)
Since she is looking for a smaller horse, they typically are less expensive. The problem with PRE is that the last decade they bred them larger and larger, they are like WB now in size and even in gait which imo is kind of depressing. Small horses are sturdy and hardy and better suited for size of many female riders.[/QUOTE]
I have seen some of this too. The one in my barn does not really move or look like the traditional PRE.
And yes to your comments on the Lusitanos. Mine is sensitive and can be quite hot if something gets him worried. The only thing that worries him, fortunately is pushy training. No spook, no spin, no shy, nadda in the 18 months I have been riding him. I’m a much better rider thanks to him and my good trainer. And his 15.3 hands is perfect.
You must be a lovely rider! The lusos I knew ( 2 different ones ), never really "Did " anything to unnerve their riders it was their very quick re-activeness that intimidated. A Good PRE shares that quality, Spanish it is “Brio”, fiery not in a bad misbehaving way but a spark and aliveness that can intimidate those used a slower reacting and quieter feeling horse.
I hate seeing this bred out of the PRE and I know it attracts buyers but sad to see a trend of larger/ dulling their spark to become an imitation WB…
I purchased my PRE last March and she is around 15.1 which is perfect for my size. I wanted something smaller as I’m getting up there age wise, and the smaller ones are easier for me to get on/groom, etc.
I didn’t realize this breed can be quick - and she is…While I love how forward she is and how amazingly smooth her trot is - I struggle with keeping her from getting quick.
[QUOTE=Countrywood;8599995]
You must be a lovely rider! The lusos I knew ( 2 different ones ), never really "Did " anything to unnerve their riders it was their very quick re-activeness that intimidated. A Good PRE shares that quality, Spanish it is “Brio”, fiery not in a bad misbehaving way but a spark and aliveness that can intimidate those used a slower reacting and quieter feeling horse.
I hate seeing this bred out of the PRE and I know it attracts buyers but sad to see a trend of larger/ dulling their spark to become an imitation WB…[/QUOTE]
When I had a warmblood, non-forward thinking mare, my prior trainer told me that we were both laid back and one of us needed not to be. So the Lusitano solved the problem. I make him take a breath, lol.
Thank you all, I am following up on every lead- including that adorable pony!! Keep the ideas coming.
I went today to watch a friend ride the perfect PRE 15.2 showing I1 training I2 at 20 yrs old! What a kind soul, definitely the older PRE breeding- perfect size, feet, body type.
I purchased a Lusitano last year and couldn’t be happier with him. I was originally set on a PRE before I started opening my search to both, and do enjoy the more compact build on my guy. He’s built like a tank! Extremely athletic and sporty but feels safe (even in naughty moments) and comfortable. Really easy to have in the barn and sweet personality. I could go on and on (and have already, LOL!)
I definitely second Nicole Hill as an excellent and honest agent for Iberian horses. I would have reached out to her directly with my requirements if I hadn’t found the perfect match so early in my search. She has many horses in her barn and is very connected to the community with a nation-wide network. I had a hard time searching for horses online, and definitely feel this is a type of horse that you would greatly benefit searching for with an agent. I think you’ll find more available privately and at better prices for the right home.
If you want something with more training and have a good budget to absorb transport costs, I think importing something would be the way to go for WAY more options.
I will say that all three Andalusian geldings I have met had kind and fun personalities. They were smart and seemed to like to work. They knew who their people were and distinguished among we humans. Insofar as one could put a dog in a horse suit, I’d say these horses were it…though my sample size is just three geldings, two of whom were father and son.
I’m also on the east coast, I own a PRE gelding and a Lusitano mare, and love them both dearly. They are exceptionally smart and love their people. Both would rather work and be with their human than eat their grain, yes very dog like. The mare is protective and think she owns me, and both are jealous. They have nice movement and are very easy on the body.
Sarah Gately-Wilson at Old Stonehouse Farm is in PA, and has been in the iberian business for many years. She does the breed shows, Dressage at Devon, and is very knowledgable, down to earth, and honest. She is an excellent contact to make on this side of the country. Good luck, and let us know what you end up with!
http://www.oldstonehousefarm.com/horsesforsale.html
