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Re: [RC] Spanish Mustang 100 Mi Prospect vs. Arab 100 Mi Prospect...any advice? - Vicki AustinDeborah, Your Spanish Mustang is NOT the same as the other (BLM) mustangs. They are bred specifically for their genetics and there are only about 3,000 in the US. We have one (got her by accident, long story) and she is amazing. She is built for endurance, tough, willing, will not stop unless asked to, EDPPs, is very managable, sweet and kind (unless you touch her udder). She is an overo, 14.3 hands, with cannons of 8"in front and 9" hind, large tough round feet (farrier never has to shape shoes for her they fit right out of the box) goes barefoot until we take her into the rocky mountains we have in Maine. She grows a wooly coat in the winter and never seems cold although I put blankets on her as I cannot put them on my very cold Arab without blanketing her as well (hers are just a lighter version) She is my husbands horse and although my husband has only done a few rides, she was only eliminated from one ride (because of scratches that we could not treat on a ride) I rode her when we first got her to make sure she was safe for husband and students that I had. Found that she works in the ring as well as on trail. She has gaits as smooth as silk. A walk that my Arab has to trot to keep up with and a trot that he has to canter to keep up with. She has never said no or sulked because we were heading away from home. She always acts the same wheather she is ridden at home or away, alone or in a group, going towards home or away from home. She is always the same. Very reliable. She does not have what I would call a pretty head, never flags tail, and doesn't bounce when she trots (very good for husbands back) We like her willing disposition and comformation so much that we have bred her to an Arab who has classic beauty, beautiful head, bounce in step and those quality that I love in the Arab in hopes of getting a super horse of color. If we like what we get we will breed her again to the same stallion. OK now my WONDERFUL beloved Arab, He has done a lot of rides both CTR and Edurance. I have had A LOT of horses come my way, most of whom were Arabs. He has always been a challenge, but I have been able to do everything I have wanted with him (dressage to second level, eventing pre novice, parades, CTR, Endurance, pleasure rides, guided trail rides) He is the love of my life BUT he sulks when leaving home and then acts like he hasn't been ridden for years when we are headed home, he uses up his energy (if I let him) at an endurance ride and then gets board and pokes along at about 80 miles of a hundred miler, on CTRs he is so bouncy and energetic at the pre ride vetting that he always gets above average on scores and then when we are done the ride he is just tonned down enough to get only average and that knocks a lot of points off. He had ulcers (all better now) has low heel, long toe condition (which many arabs seem to have and my farrier is able to keep under control so it looks like he has as good feet as my husbands Spanish Mustang. He gets cold in the winter, cold in the rain, needs lots of fat food, (to keep his weight up , is picky about his hay (has to be just so and has to be shaken out or he will just paw it around to try to shake it out and is a high maintaince horse all around. My husband says I spoil him to much and have make a sissy out of him but I think he is just a needy horse (which is ok by me actually) and needs lots of love and attention. I say all this only to mention don't pass up a Spanish Mustang because you are unfamiliar with them. Do some reserch as I did when we first got Sierra. I believe a few Spanish Mustangs have won Tevis amongst other Endurance rides. They are low maintainance, Sierra get a handfull of grain (litterally) and a couple flakes of hay and she is still plump. (Actually they tell you NOT to feed Spanish Mustangs grain as they have a pony metabolism but I simply cannot feed grain with out the other. Good luck in your search. And have fun. - -- Deborah Leone <deborahleone@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: I've been in the market for a horse to condition and campaign in the 2004 season...with my goal being the Tevis in 2005. I've got myself paced to build up miles throughout the season with one to two races a month...and now I need the horse. I've screened quite a few prospects (all arabs) and haven't found my 7-10 yr ARAB, gelding, no vices, ARAB,sound and sane, 15+ hd, SUPER HORSE that has several successful competions under his belt and has the mind and body to be a happy and healthly hundred mile ARAB horse...until now but he's a 14.3 hd... very willing... spanish mustang. I know that mustangs have also done well in endurance but is there any drawbacks or advantages anyone would like to comment on. I'm interested in other riders thoughs and experiences. 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