Here are some important tips for general use for new PRE horse owners. This advice is not specifically meant for any horse or client. And yes, the contents might make you smile :
– Spanish Pure Bred horses mature late, towards their sixth year, so if you have purchased a young horse (three or four years old), remember it should not be worked too hard or this could seriously affect the joints ( fetlocks – hocks ). PRE Horses have very active minds, a natural talent for collection and are willing to please their riders, so they might offer you more intensive and advanced movements than you are asking for, and thus harass their health.
– Generally speaking, horses in Spain are not worked hard, so make sure the horse’s work scheme is increased gradually after arrival .
– If your horse has feet with high heels, do not lower them. Andalusian horses have a different shape of foot than warmbloods or thoroughbreds. Not respecting the natural shape could affect the horse’s movement and soundness in a negative way. If the feet are narrow then ask your farrier to put wider shoes on – inviting the foot to broaden.
– PRE horses are more laminitis prone than warmbloods. So don’t overfeed on protein without the horse getting sufficient work. This does not mean that you have to keep them on a diet. In Spain we like the horses to be round and fairly fat – lean Andalusians look a bit strange to us. Spanish horses are used to eating a considerable amount of grain. Not feeding enough hard feed might result in severe behavioural problems at work and in the stable. Above all keep the diet simple , don’t overdo it with supplements. PRE -Andalusian horses need highly digestable hay, like timothy hay which in some regions is hard to obtain, but that is what their digestive system requires . Once abroad these horses might show allergies to certain substances , so check with a nutritionist and vet that are familiar with the breed and their special needs .
– Some horses tend to get stressed due to the journey, and will be a bit wild on arrival. Don’t worry – it is unlikely you have purchased a tiger. Just make the horse comfortable and make much of him, show him the new environment and he should settle in a few days. Do not ride the horse until it has settled in the new surroundings . Give him time to get used to the a change of nutrition ( gradually introduced of course ), language, climate, and stable routine . . A bit of lungeing before you ride him first time is also a good idea.
– If you are picking up a horse after a flight , make sure you are using professional means of transport and experienced handlers. Horses can be very upset after a flight. If the final destination is a long journey away , then make sure the horse has no travel fever and no signs of colic before you continue on your trip.
– Make sure that stable doors are high enough to prevent a stallion from jumping out!
– Don’t turn the horse loose in a field right away. In Spain most stallions have not been turned out since they were youngsters, and they might panic in such a big strange environment. Only turn the horse loose when he has gotten used to his new handlers and responds to them. Make sure his legs are well protected with tendon and overreach boots. Spanish horses do not enjoy being out for many hours in any type of weather. They love their comfortable and clean stables so adapt turn out to their latin background…
– Grass intake should be introduced very slowly in order to avoid laminitis or digestive disorder. Most Spanish horses have never or hardly ever eaten grass before .
– Enquire what the horse has been fed on in Spain .
– Spanish Pure Breed stallions do jump, so make sure they can not jump out of the field. You will need to provide special stallion fencing.
– Once the horse has settled, worm him even if he has been wormed in Spain. For flu vaccinations check with the former owners. Check with your veterinarian if any specific vaccinations are required in your country (West Nile Virus for example).
– Do realize that the conformation and mind of a Pure Bred Spanish horse are different compared to a warmblood. Try to educate yourself on different schooling techniques – for example too much long and low work is not suitable for PRE horses. Miriam Frenk is always available to give advice, if you need some guidance with the training of your new purchase.