[charrorider]

@charrorider I'd love to see a photo of your saddle.

I don't have a photo of one of my charro saddles by itself. They are all on the horses. The seat is fairly flat and close to the horse's back. I think is this flatness and this proximity to the horse's body that made me feel so balanced the first time I used one of these. I felt I had more freedom of movement. Other things I like: the position of the stirrups is more natural and they are easy to completely disassemble for cleaning and oiling. The one Amal is wearing has what the Mexicans call an orthopedic seat, which is a seat with slightly more padding and shape.

 

[knightrider]

I once spent 3 weeks on an Andalusian horse farm in Spain, Rancho de Paz. Their horses were wonderful and fabulous. All stallions were kept intact. Each stallion was more beautiful than the one before. I could never decide which stallion I liked the best because they were all magnificent. All their horses were super well-trained, calm, and well-behaved. It was an amazing 3 weeks of delight.

One day, the group of us staying there said we wanted to do an all-day ride where we would stop and have lunch. They took us on a ride to another Andalusian horse farm. The horses at that farm were cruelly treated. All the horses in training had grotesquely swollen noses from tacks in their nosebands. Their heads hung with exhaustion. We "dudes" were horrified. Nobody much wanted lunch because the treatment of the horses was so upsetting. We asked the ride managers if treatment of this kind was normal, and they just shrugged and said, "It happens." They were not horrified as we were. But they never treated their own horses in that way, ever. By the way, many of the horses at Rancho de Paz knew piaffe, Spanish walk, and other higher level movements. It was easy to cue the horses and they did them happily and gracefully.

 

[SarahA15]

so I guess it just varies on the trainers and owners of the barn, some treat their animals cruelly while others treat them fairly. Its interesting really, lets hope the guy we're going to go see is the latter rather than the former @knightrider

 

[Rainsong]

There may be some that are wondering why I haven't commented on this post. I use Mexican saddles. After using western, Aussie and English saddles, I rode a charro saddle and haven't looked back. I never felt so well balanced. IMO, they're the best from the ones I've used. I don't use the heavy, ornate charros saddles. I use the "working man" type, or 'cola de pato', as they call it. But I know nothing about the way charros train their horses. I used to managed a ranch where all the help was Mexican. All their horses were well behaved and I never saw any abuse. But as to how those horses were trained, I can't say anything. I will add that IF charros abuse their horses when training, they aren't the only ones. I consider the methods used by some famous trainers to be abusive.

I wasn't saying that all charros use abusive training methods....I know they don't...unfortunately in the area I live in the majority seem to....

 

[stevenson]

It 'dance' all depends on what the horse has been 'trained' to do. If it has been beaten or caned into dancing you will need to restart the horse. The ones around here that 'dance' the horses cane them, tie them up all day with their head in the air. The horse stand with its neck and back hollowed out all day. no access to water while tied . The horses are messes. The hooves are not trimmed correctly. This is not the spanish training . This is forced training, by beating.

 

[tinyliny]

It 'dance' all depends on what the horse has been 'trained' to do. If it has been beaten or caned into dancing you will need to restart the horse. The ones around here that 'dance' the horses cane them, tie them up all day with their head in the air. The horse stand with its neck and back hollowed out all day. no access to water while tied . The horses are messes. The hooves are not trimmed correctly. This is not the spanish training . This is forced training, by beating.

does anyone ever report them? to humane society?

 

[stevenson]

does anyone ever report them? to humane society?

Yes. Unless they are starved nothing is done. large Mexican population in my town. They say it is cultural and they cannot do anything to stop it. I have even seen non Mexicans (white ) guys do this to teach the Spanish Walk. One guy lived next door to a friend of mine. He was even in some of the fancy shows that toured. I told him he was not a horseman that it was abusive . He started rumors about me. Lots of new people at that major stable so I wondered when I told people my name I got snubbed and funny looks. He was a drunk on top of it. Cut the forelock off a rescue colt because he did not like the way it looked. Not his animal. He moved from my area to someplace I think in OH. Has a facebook page claiming all his bs.

 

[SarahA15]

OK - this is how it finally went. First things first- we arrive there at the barn the same time as the vet; from there we go down to get our first look of the horse. He was tied to a tree, and the halter on him was extremely tight. The poor guy's muzzle had cuts and scars from what was obviously overly tight equipment. To go along with that, small cuts and scars were scattered across his hind quarters and head. He lacked muscle and looked a lot less cared for than in the pictures... And did I mention the owner of the horse wasn't even there? He was at work- so he was gonna have his friend sell us the horse if we decided to go through with it...
SO as you might guess, our first impression was a little poor, but I still wanted to continue with the vet check because in all honesty I wasn't super disappointed. The horse having fully developed muscles was not one of my fears, he just needed a sound mind and no physical issues. Anyhow, the vet looked him over, drew blood, etc.- interestingly enough, they pulled us aside and told us they think he was gelded only six months ago (keep in mind he is 9)! However, he didn't show any stallion like behaviors from what we could see. He was rather meek, but pretty good tempered. He picked up his feet fine, and even let the vet touch his ears a bit. Next, they took him inside the barn to trot him and just see his movements (I'm not exactly sure what else they were doing, just seeing general stuff like if he'd flex his neck). This next part is where I really felt bad for this poor animal though- so we took him to the round pen just to lunge him at a trot for the vets... Well, lets just say that didn't go well. First he tried to lay down as soon as we took the halter off, then when we got him up, he tried doing some sort of trick (lifting one of his legs high up). When he realized that wasn't what we were asking for, he got scared and started galloping as far away from the vet as possible(and even brushed up against the fence a couple times). He was evidently terrified, and when we finally got him to slow down- we realized the lunge whip was the issue, the poor thing was shaking when the vet lightly rubbed it on his side. Anyhow, we scrapped the lunge whip and he was much better about trotting around the pen. The vet said at first they thought he was off in the hindquarters, but the more he worked the better his movements were, so they said he was probably stiff from standing tied all day.
Now came the real test, tacking up and riding (I had the person with the better seat get on first though). Though he definitely stepped away from you while trying to put the saddle on, he was astonishingly well mannered and yielding with someone on his back. But when I eventually hopped on- I honestly really enjoyed his movement, it was very smooth and he picked up all his gaits just fine. The vet even said his hind end didn't look off at all by than point... Then I got a couple X-rays done for safety sake, and there was nothing super alarming so he was all cleared... I knew I wanted him at the end of it all despite his lack of muscle and behavior in the round pen. Now- is he going to need some work? Yes, but I believe it was the right choice. This gelding was at a point where I could handle him, he wasn't scared of people just mistreated in some of his training. His personality was very sweet from what I could see, and to top it off he loaded like a dream. Now all that needed to be done was the payment. Originally he was listed at 6000, but we got him down to 2800 (more with the vet added in and all that but he himself was that price).I was exhausted yesterday as well as today which is why I never posted that same night, but I DO intend to make another discussion asking for some advice.

Until then, enjoy these pictures, I'll get some better ones eventually

 

[SarahA15]

Yes. Unless they are starved nothing is done. large Mexican population in my town. They say it is cultural and they cannot do anything to stop it. I have even seen non Mexicans (white ) guys do this to teach the Spanish Walk. One guy lived next door to a friend of mine. He was even in some of the fancy shows that toured. I told him he was not a horseman that it was abusive . He started rumors about me. Lots of new people at that major stable so I wondered when I told people my name I got snubbed and funny looks. He was a drunk on top of it. Cut the forelock off a rescue colt because he did not like the way it looked. Not his animal. He moved from my area to someplace I think in OH. Has a facebook page claiming all his bs.

Hi there @stevenson I have made a post talking about how it went if you're interested!

 

[SarahA15]

@Palfrey @tinyliny @Dutch_Juniper @Rainsong @Zimalia22 @horselovinguy @4horses and @Knave IF you are curious about how it went, I have made a post talking about my experience. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to @ you all for this, if not, please ignore me haha

 

[Knave]

Congratulations!

 

[SarahA15]

Congratulations!

Thank you! I think with a bit of attention and a lot of exercise he'll be a great animal

 

[JCnGrace]

I'm glad you got him out of that home. Having taken on several that came from not so good homes I have found that more often than not those animals will appreciate a new home where they are well cared for and more important cared about. They show their appreciation by trying hard to be a good horse. Sure it takes some time and a lot of work, sometimes a few bucks if there are health issues but well worth it. The only one that I never could get to come around was a mini mare and I don't know if it was because I wasn't the right person for her or because minis have such a different mind set even under normal circumstances.

 

[4horses]

Congratulations! Hope he makes a full recovery and works out well for you. Just might be in for some surprises along the way. Many of these horses have some anxiety but with time and patience they generally improve. I would probably do some clicker training and reward based training. He probably was like "get me the hell out of here". Avoid heavy bits and start building a new relationship with him.

 

[SarahA15]

Congratulations! Hope he makes a full recovery and works out well for you. Just might be in for some surprises along the way. Many of these horses have some anxiety but with time and patience they generally improve. I would probably do some clicker training and reward based training. He probably was like "get me the hell out of here". Avoid heavy bits and start building a new relationship with him.

Yes, he is quite nervous. When I went out to feed him tonight he was very reluctant to eat, I actually have him pastured with our other horse, so I think they may have had some sort of scuffle. I wanted to wait a bit longer, but everyone suggested we do it today. He was a bit shaky while I put ointment on his cuts (which is to be expected), but other than that I haven't seen any red flags yet. Out of curiosity, when is the soonest do you think I'll be able to ride him again? Or do you think that's something I should determine since I've seen his behavior first hand.

 

[Knave]

Personally I’d keep riding him starting tomorrow, but that’s just because he’s hotter and he might be used to a lot of work.

 

[SarahA15]

Personally I’d keep riding him starting tomorrow, but that’s just because he’s hotter and he might be used to a lot of work.

I did originally intend to ride him around the property and in the arena a bit, just to get a feel for how he is. Today I just saddled him up but didn't ride, I want to make grooming and tacking up something positive so he'll eventually stop dancing around- but to fix that is gonna take a lot more than what I did today I imagine. So depending on how I feel and he feels, I may ride, and I wont lie that's what I WANT to do.

 

[tinyliny]

I hope it all goes well for you. I feel glad you got him out of that situation.

I'll be honest, I would not have just put him in with my other horse. You have no idea what he carries . He should be quarantined for a few days at least before being in close contact with your horses. At least that's what they always did at my old barn with new arrivals.

 

[waresbear]

I wouldn't be too worried about quarantining him, anything nasty would've showed up in the blood work. He is beautiful and will glow with your care. Yes, I would ride him right away. Enjoy!

 

[Horsef]

Just to settle your nerves a bit, my mare who I’ve owned for six years and only hit once (when she had the bright idea to show me her teeth) will act like an absolute fool if someone she doesn’t know tries to lunge her with a whip. She seems to remember something that happened a very long time ago but she is perfect for me and other people she knows with any sort of whip. She is just careful with unknown people. If I tried selling her, I would have to lunge her myself and explain the situation before the prospective buyer though that I mistreat her regularly.