Differences Abound B E
T W E E N Iberian Horses Warmbloods and
Warmblood breeds have mixed and matched sires and dams so frequently that the distinctions between breeds, while valid, are not so broad that they require different approaches to training and husbandry. The same cannot be said of the distinctions between Warmbloods and Iberian breeds.
By Patti Schofler W
hile Warmbloods dominate the sports of dressage, eventing and show jumping, and most training and care principles are applicable for any horse,
not all breeds can prosper when trained or cared for in the ways most appropriate for Warmbloods. Both Lusitanos and Andalusians, or Pura Raza Españolas (PREs) as they are also called, hailing from the Iberian Peninsula, are gaining more popularity in the dressage ring. As a result, it’s more important than ever to understand the differences in their training and care.
INITIAL TRAINING Warmbloods and Iberians begin their dressage training in the same place, the base of the training scale. They diverge, however, over the details of how to obtain success at this level of basic training. In addressing rhythm and relaxation, more than one road leads to Rome. A young Warmblood will likely find his balance by going forward and getting his “motor” activated. In contrast, the young Iberian’s motor is already going. He has a tendency to become quick and driving him forward at this point won’t improve relax- ation, elongate his stride or achieve the desired thoroughness over the topline as it might for a Warmblood. “Young Warmbloods will find their balance and rhythm
by going forward. Then when you get them going forward as much as you can, you start collecting them through tran- sitions,” explains Maria Lithander, head trainer for Hampton
Green Farm of Michigan and Florida, who started her riding career in her native Sweden. She spent nine years in Brazil, showing in national and international events around the country, while head trainer of a large riding school. Maria spent the next 20 years in Mexico, training, winning over 70 regional and national titles and representing Mexico in several international shows.
How then is this achieved with a horse whose instinctual response is to go fast? USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist Allison Mathy of Lyric Dressage specializes in training baroque breeds and stands two of her own Lusitano stallions, but has a long history with Warmbloods. “You want both types of horses
Allison Mathy schools her 2003 Lusitano stallion Xerifino (Pincelim out of Teta) who competed at Prix St. Georges last year.
active from behind. But when you have a horse that was originally bred to bullfight, you have incredible reac- tivity. As the Warmblood is taught to react to the aids in a forward manner, the Iberian needs to be taught to respond, not to react. They need
to simmer down and find their relaxation, overcoming this instinct to quickly get out of the way. Iberians want to be doing exactly what you want them to do, but one step before you ask it. While we appreciate their generosity, they need to take a moment and, unlike horses that bullfight, they need to stay with us, instead of anticipating and jumping ahead.” The Iberian’s quick gaits are also a result of a weak or inac-
tive back. If the Iberian is pushed forward and ridden like a Warmblood before learning to bring the back into play as a
Warmbloods Today 47
Jaclyn Pepper
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