Spanish Andalusian Horse Articles > Buying and Selling Andalusian Horses

Tricks Used by Andalusian Horse Sellers

by Donna DeYoung, breeder of Pure Spanish Andalusian Horses for sale

Is it REALLY a "PRE"?

One of the biggest tricks currently being played on horse buyers is the substitution of PRE Mundial papers for real Spanish papers (revised by Spain). Currently, the Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse based out of California, USA, is offering "revision" or inspection as well as inscription (or baby papers) for Pure Spanish Andalusian horses. Their inspectors are touted as being "from Spain" and from the Cria Caballar (former). Their issued papers are called a "carta" but are not officially recognized by the country of Spain.

The Foundation DID have an association with Spain but voluntarily withdrew from cooperating with Spain and now has it's own "registry".  This use of the words "PRE" and "revised" and "carta" by the Foundation may confuse the buyer since previously, the only way to get a horse "revised" was through the recognition of Spain. Inspections in the past were conducted by the Cria Caballar military branch of Spain but are now conducted by representatives of the Spanish breeders' association ANCCE. Either way, the only way to own a real "PRE" or Pura Raza Espanola is to have one that is inspected and approved by the official SPANISH delegation (not the one based out of California, USA which is the Foundation issuing PRE Mundial papers).

If you are unsure about your horse's papers or status, feel free to send me an email or check with USPRE or the ANCCE Miami, FL office.

Can you be Andalusian-Persuaded?

What's an Andalusian persuasion? Its when you show up and are so awed, google-eyed, impressed, and near fainting at the beauty of the animals that you let all your sensibilities and research go to waste.

Be sure to do your research and take along an expert. Otherwise you may be buying the "fluff" and not the real thing!

Are you seeing the whole barn full of Andalusians?

Or just the ones the breeder wants you to see? The breeder could put the cull horse (the one the breeder wants to sell) next to similar looking stock. And never show you their really good stuff. That way, you go home satisfied (at least that day) that you got the "prettiest" one in the barn. Dissatisfaction will only come up later when you go to the breed show or a bigger breeder's barn who is kind enough to show you their good stuff. Then you realize how bad you got took. I hope this doesn't happen to you. I've seen it happen before!

Are you seeing the mom?

Or is she sneakily hidden away? The breeder brings out the baby for you to look at. She's so sweet! Adorable! You really like her. Where's the mom? Oh, she's out in that pasture. The breeder points to a herd and you can't tell one from the other. Never mind, you say, its too much trouble to walk out there and see the mom. Can you say disaster? You MUST see the mother if you are at the breeder's place and looking at a young foal. You can really tell by looking at the dam, just what you are buying.

Is it drugged? or enhanced in some way?

It can happen folks. But hopefully its not too rampant in this business since most Andalusians are naturally calm and don't need to be calmed down to sell. But it sometimes happens. Horses are either over-worked before you get there (to make them look calmer) or they are kept up in a barn before you get there (to make them look more flashy when turned out). Be sure to spend some time, look over videos, get references, etc. before buying.

Is the Andalusian clipped wrong? Or Done Up Too Good?

I've seen this happen. The horse you came to look at just happens to have gotten it's mane shaved off by "by mistake" and another one (the one the seller really wants to sell because he already sold the other one and is afraid to tell you) is all cute and has a wonderful show clip. Hmmm, is it really that easy to get fooled?  Yes, it can happen. Look past the grooming or weight of the horse (thin horses look more angular, fat ones look more round) and try to see what is really there in the bone structure and conformation.

Which papers? Where?

The breeder can feign ignorance when it comes to the Spanish papers. Don't buy into it. See the papers. Touch them. Make sure they are real. Get proof of parentage.  You will be sorry if you don't. Papers are a real problem in this breed since there are several ways to register an Andalusian.

Of course its a PURE Andalusian.

Did they say "pure"? Yes, they said pure. So I must be buying a purebred, right? Depends on your definitions of purebred.

Sellers have been selling all types of "purebred" Andalusians since they first imported them from Spain and Portugal. What most newcomers don't know are the finer points of purity according to the mother countries. Here in the U.S., purebred can mean PRE, PSL, or Spanish-Portuguese, or American Andalusian (no papers from abroad). It can mean many things. Most purebreds have IALHA papers and those may be the only papers they have. Which is FINE. But only FINE if you have no intentions on breeding Pura Raza Espanola (PRE) or Puro Sangue Lusitano (PSL). However, if you DO want to breed PREs, be sure the parents are listed in the Spanish studbook and are revised and approved by Spain and be sure your offspring was live birth (not carried by a recipient mare) because that involves other issues.

I'm confused now.

Which horse am I seeing? Another tactic of Andalusian Persuasion. So many horses are run past you or showed to you in the pasture that you can't keep any of them straight. Here's one, two, three. They all look alike. And, oh look, here's a few more. And a few more. Don't forget these. Still more. Sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, that one's from there, this one is from here... The point is, the breeder is trying to confuse you on purpose so they have the advantage.

Bad bad breeder. But can you blame them? They want to sell, they need to sell. If you knew all their secrets like which was their best mare and which was their best stallion, that would be the one you would want to buy!!! Yes oh yes. Its a terrible truth. Most breeders rarely sell their best stock. Others, yes they do (like me) its all I have to sell since I'm not keeping any!

But don't get discouraged, if you get a nice filly, you can pick out a really nice stud for her and raise your own soon! Welcome to the game of breeding Andalusians.

By the way. I consider myself a fair and honest person. If you come out to look at my horses or my referral horses, I will not play games with you. That's my promise. A good breeder wants their horses to go to good homes where they are wanted and cherished and where their owners are satisfied with their purchase.

There is a right horse for every person.

I don't believe that it's okay to send "kicking Nellie" down the road to Mexico or "frightened Bellie" to that crazy dressage rider from New York. Why is a breeder producing such horses in the first place I wonder? Or how did their horses get that way is a more correct question? And how could you live with yourself by selling your "culls" to the first unlucky bloke or sucker while convincing them they just bought the Queen of England's favorite pick?

I suppose for some people its all about the money and their ego. For me, I just love the horses.

So, good luck and sincere best wishes in finding a fair and honest breeder and the right horse for YOU.

~Donna 

Note: Many of our articles are now available in "blog" format. The blog allows you to leave comments and share articles. To visit our blog (a work in progress), go to Skyhorse Ranch Blog - Your Source for the Spanish Horse.

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