Skyhorse Ranch and Kennel, Texas

09/07/2024

Now that’s some nice choreography!!

07/07/2024

Excellent post about breeding for dressage.

Is the classic Lusitano turning into a modern dressage horse? If you are leaning towards 'yes', does that mean that Warmbloods are turning into Lusitanos as they have improved their piaffe and passage significantly in recent years?

The Lusitano stud book has been closed since 1989. For 35 years it has not been possible to add even a drop of blood from other breeds. At the same time, the breed standard, i.e. the criterias on which the horses are approved, has not changed since 1967. The requirements for the horses have always been exactly the same as they are today. The only thing that can be said to have changed is the way breeders select;
The breeding of animals follows the money. And in equestrian sports today, an excellent dressage horse is more expensive than an excellent Working Equitation horse. So financially it makes better sense to select animals that can perform in a 20*60 meter arena; animals that are both larger and cover more ground than what would be ideal on a WE course.

Does this mean that we are dividing the breed into two separate branches? Short answer: no. Just look at the horses from the Alter Real stud; the oldest and perhaps most prominent stud farm in Portugal, founded in 1748. Among other things, horses here are bred for the Portuguese Riding School, where the horses are trained in a classic way and perform caprioles, etc. At the same time, the Alter Real horses are some of the most frequently represented at the modern dressage competitions, for instance by Rubi AR, whom most people probably know.
The same stud farm and the same ancient bloodlines deliver horses that function at the top level in both contexts.

A study of Lusitanos in dressage from 2000-2012 showed that the top 21 'dressage Lusitanos' were approved by an average of 74 points, which is an impressive score and suggests that according to the breed standards they were excellent examples of the Lusitano. They were also slightly taller than the breed average, but still below 165 cm on average.
Of course, it will be interesting to see similar statistics for the years 2012 till now.

The first Lusitano to compete in the GP at a CDI event was Vitorino's maternal grandfather, Ripado OC, in 1988, but the Lusitano was at that time a rare sight in dressage - both in and outside Portugal. However, various initiatives have meant that since 1996 we have seen a development where the Lusitanos have gone from making up approx. 10% of the dressage entries in Portugal to today where they make up the vast majority and are represented on national teams from as many as 7 nations.

General physiological changes in a population do not happen overnight, and it goes without saying that even if you tried, you would not have been able to change the Lusitano from one thing to something completely different in a couple of generations. The fact that they might be getting bigger, I think, is primarily due to management and how much better we have become at feeding our horses. And then possibly some selection.

So I'm not worried that we're moving away from the Lusitano we've known and loved for generations. But I am worried if we start cramming our Portuguese Hot Bloods into the same ‘system’ as the warmblood horses; In other words, what will be the consequences if we encourage breeders to present horses for grading in January the year they turn 4. This practice not only forces people to begin training far too early, but also to skip essential steps in the horse's education.

To me, one of the Lusitano's big selling points is its durability. But we can say goodbye to well-functioning horses in full work in their 20s if we push them too hard in their younger years - A problem we already see in a Warmblood context. In addition, only time will tell what the consequences will be if genetically hypermobile stallions begin to dominate the breeding.

So: The Lusitano is the same as it was 100 years ago, though with significantly better management. The crucial point will be whether we can refrain from pushing him beyond his limits in an attempt to keep up with the Warmbloods. ‘Cause a 5 y/old Lusitano will never be able to match a 5 y/old Warmblood. But he will overtake most Warmbloods with time, and probably be the one who can perform the longest, if only we give him the opportunity.

30/06/2024

Xahira DD aka Princess Spicey is 3.5 months old. An incredible black filly by Poeta de Susaeta of Spain. Her beautiful dam line came from Spain by way of these mares I knew or owned: Decorosa (bay mare from Spain w Escalera lines), Atenea (bay mare from Spain by Jardinero V), Nobleza D (grey mare by Granadino of Spain w military lines) and Jandira DD (black mare by Gitano MOR imported from Mexico and son of Mexican champion).

21/06/2024

Rameses the Neo says hi! Best personal protection dog and companion ever!! Stacey Johnson and John Seibel. Thank you forever ! For introducing me to this incredible breed. Neapolitan Mastiff Double Trouble's Colossal King RN FDC CGCA CGCU TKA ATT VHMA VSWB and loved by Donna DeYoung, Neapolitan Mastiff. Neapolitan Mastino Napoletano Breeder. Born March 2018. Still going strong at 6 plus years old and I hope many more. Sired by top AKC champion Maximus del Vezuvia imported from Hungary.

18/06/2024

Just found out Stryker got into the feed room sometime this afternoon. Luckily we only feed pelleted horse feed that is beet-pulp based and or has alfalfa and/or Timothy hay mixtures. So with the exception of a small bag of molasses-based treats, the risk for colic is not too high. Please keep your fingers crossed for tonight. He’s up in a stall w fresh water and no feed. There’s a soft breeze also that is breaking the heat pattern. Goober de goober boo!!!! As I call him.

13/06/2024

Selfies with Xahira DD tonight. Aka. Spicey. Aka. Princess !!! Which is your favorite?!

11/06/2024

My beautiful Arabian and Andalusian girls.

06/06/2024

A beautiful display of royalty and equestrian perfection. Royal families and Royal horses.

04/06/2024

Look what I found! A 3 year old grandson of Celtica DD (Heroe MAC x Keberes D). His mother was sired by Remate. So he’s a great grandson of Keberes aka Leia. I recognized his breeding instantly. You can see Remate? Heroe and Leia in him. Stunning boy.

30/05/2024

Pretty boy Stryker by Doblon TR of Spain 🇪🇸 and his little half sister Princess Spicey (Xahira DD) a black filly by Poeta de Susaeta also of Spain 🇪🇸 She’s getting soooo big! PRE ANCCE Andalusian horse. Double mane. Double swirl. Stryker has 3 swirls on his forehead.

29/05/2024

Another storm packing a punch out west tonight. Headed this way but should lose velocity. Made some progress on the fallen tree branch today. Now it can’t fall on me. Didn’t sleep much last night as I could hear the ravaging storm to the south (Dallas declared emergency). I didn’t know thunder could be so loud and shake the house like it did. Pretty violent! Filed my insurance claim as fast as I could. Hail from Saturdays tornados left holes in my house. She’s an old farm house but comfy enough for me. Glad she’s still here.

21/05/2024

Exquisite. My black PRE filly.

13/05/2024

Anyone missing a large long haired black doodle poodle or labradoodle in Valley View Texas area? There were 2 of them but 1 was deceased on the road. Friend caught the surviving injured one. Needs home. We will care for it and get to rescue or vet tomorrow.

12/05/2024

Too funny. I noticed shavings on the Princess’s back. She got into my friends shavings to make herself a bed.. I went over there and she came running over to show me. She thinks she’s an Arabian now. She’s got the mare’tude “ lol 😂. Stormy on the left is a bad influence! 🕺🏼

11/05/2024

My camera caught this! I can’t actistsee it- too much light pollution at the moment. I’ll try again later. Never thought in my life I’d see this!!

06/05/2024

Gorgeous in every frame! 3 weeks old. Xahira DD aka “Spicey” by the graded Qualified Poeta de Susaeta of Spain (by the graded elite stallion Cacique IX). Although she has a brown foal coat she will shed out to be solid black. Super super smart, sweet, elegant,and spicy! 🌶 . PRE Pura raza Espanola Spanish Andalusian filly. Located in Texas. Future broodmare for our Skyhorse Ranch. Thank you Yeguada susaeta.

04/05/2024

High society horse racing. I always find it troubling. The celebrations while horses die. Winners and losers. I think I just saw a horse come up injured in this race. Will have to wait and see if it’s reported. Grey horse AG Bullet in the lead til it broke stride on the home stretch, fell back, jockey looked down at something.and 🐴 horse appeared off, short striding. Hopefully she’s okay. Just won a big race a month ago. Congrats to the winners.

04/05/2024

Spicey got a new hair cut. Not easy with the bi-color baby hair.

04/05/2024

Wakey wakey. Someone was still sleeping this morning.

04/05/2024

Spicey: It’s impossible. How are you suddenly stronger than me? Me: tada.

30/04/2024

Xahira DD, aka Spicey or spice girl, is growing up so big and strong! But when it comes to putting on the halter, we had a bit of a standoff - and I emerged victorious! Guess I have more patience than my stubborn little horse. Oh, and it's muggy AF tonight!

28/04/2024

Marked safe from tornadoes, climate change denial and fake blessings. Interstate I-35 is shut down at state lines about 30 miles north of me. Marrieta Oklahoma which has damage is about 40 miles north. We got several inches of rain and had one really noisy boomer pass overhead. Otherwise just normal thunderstorms. Sulphur OK is about an hour north and downtown got hit hard.

***NOT FOR BROADCAST***Contact Brett Adair with Live Storms Media to [email protected] night a strong, powerful tornado struck downtown S...

27/04/2024