Bombproof Temperaments

[HanoWB88]

I know every foal/horse has a mother and vise versa, but if you have a bombproof riding horse or youngster, what is its pedigree? I know the R line is supposed to be ammy friendly and sane, but what do you guys have out there that you feel completely safe on?

[talloaks]

Well she is a 2008 foal but is the calmest I have ever seen in 30 years of breeding. She is by Quaterback and out of a Contucci mare. I love her and wish I hadn't sold her!! But she gets to live with me until April when she takes her long trailer ride across country.

[acottongim]

My colt (now gelded), Emerald Impressions (aka Preston)! :D

I tell everyone - if you can find something that scares him I'll pay you - he is totally unflappable and NOTHING rattles him. The first time someone went to get on him they took too long for his liking so he cocked a hip and fell asleep (literally). He LOVES to travel and see new things - NOTHING on the road bothers him (and we were wrapped up in a BAD wreck outside Atlanta one time with firetrucks, ambulances, life flight, cops etc and even a train on the overpass directly over us and he thought it was great fun and was fascinated). He goes on trails, has seen all kinds of things and has never spooked at anything. He is the type that will go TOWARD something rather than away from it. 100% trustworthy - even after a week or so under saddle I would have trusted a kid on him (and he was not gelded then).

His pedigree: http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/emerald+impressions

I think a lot of the rideablity comes from the sire, Impressionist. But the downright bravery comes from his dam - Encore (cory). Cory has had two other foals now (different stallion) and all 3 of her babies have the same bold/inquisitive nature.

[diva4ever]

Ironman babies are incredibly bomb proof. I have never seen Ironman spook either. I think Ironrule's first walk around the ring loose undersaddle was a windy, rainy night with one corner of the ring darker because the lights didn't work. He could've cared less. He's also been in the ring under saddle while other lessons were going on and one day a girl fell off of the horse she was riding and he went about his business like "lah dee dah". My horse goes out with an Ironman filly and if he's having "a day" he'll freak out and spook and run around like a moron and she'll stand there staring at him like "ok I don't get it, what's so scary." I love those babies (hence why they're incredibly amateur friendly)!!! (I can't wait until I can save up enough to get me one of my own, especially our latest Inca).

[Baroque-n-Dreams]

Maybe it was something in the water up here, but all 3 of the fillies we had this year have been amazingly calm. Nothing seems to phase them and they have been learning things so fast, its almost eerie.

All 3 have different bloodlines. 1 is a TB/Friesian cross. 1 is a Warmblood/Mustang cross. 1 is Knabstrupper out of an Arab mare.

Honestly, I don't know that bloodline has anything to do with it in all cases. I understand why the Knab filly is settled and easy, but frankly, the TB/Friesian should have been a nightmare, but she's not. The Warmblood/Mustang cross filly could have gone either way, but all 3 of the girls have been dreams to deal with from handling, halter/lead breaking, farrier, loading and "basic training".

I think the funniest thing was our Warmblood/Mustang cross filly when she was being introduced to her first tarp. None of the 3 of them shied away from the tarp, but when Layla approached she nosed the tarp, then she pawed at it a couple times and looked at it like she was trying to decide what it was. A breeze came up and made the tarp lift off the ground and her response was hilarious. Her head came up in shock and then she snorted and jumped on the tarp like her life depended on holding it down on the ground. She was bunny hopping up and down on it a few times and when it was no longer "alive", she sniffed it, snorted and trotted off of it without looking back.

Gotta love the kids.

[fish]

My 5 year old by Cunningham out of a John Alden (TB) mare. My trainer says he's the most unflappable horse he's ever seen. I've gotten on him with a loose girth so the saddle swung under his belly, landed on his neck after he popped a fence, gotten him tangled in vines during a trail ride when he was 4--- nothing bothers him. He just stands there or continues on (as when I found myself riding his neck :() until asked to do something different. Truly amazing-- and, believe it or not, he's smart and playful as all get out, too.

[airbourne1]

I sold a beautiful gelding by Karnadasj, out of a Wolfgang mare that has a fantastic quiet temperament, and is very easy going.

He recently got second at the Royal in the Lt. Governor's Cup, and he did this after not been ridden for 2 weeks except the day before the class. Nothing fazes him, especially new situations. He was very easy to back, and I understand he is also the love of his new barn.....

[Walnut Farm]

Donnerhall! he bred 1000"s so I am sure there are exceptions, but usually calm and very workmanlike! my Donnerhall mare had not been sat on in 10 years and I got on her and she didn't bat an eye! same with my Don Primero mare. ALL of their offspring has been the same.

[sixpoundfarm]

I sold a beautiful gelding by Karnadasj, out of a Wolfgang mare that has a fantastic quiet temperament, and is very easy going.



Would love to hear more about your horse, finding info on Karandasj has not been easy! He looks like a very nice stallion.

[denny]

We have 6 by Beaulieu`s Coolman, and every one is sane and steady and smart. Really good horses.

Formula One is another. I started jumping him a little 3 years ago when he was 3. If he were a gelding, I`d ride him bareback with a halter and leadrope, and when I was his age, Harry Truman was president, so he better be easy!

[airbourne1]

Tracy, you have a PM!

[Shawnda N]

I have a 20 year old Trakehner mare by Peron who spent her life as a chidlren's hunter/jumper/dressage horse. In the Jumper ring she was very competiive if you had the guts to ask her to go for it. If you did not, she was happy to lope around the hunter ring, and was a push button horse. Equally unflappable on trails or anything you asked of her.
Her only vice was if you asked her for a flying change, you would get a swish of the tail and one ear pinned, as she KNEW when she should change, and how dare you ask her to do it.
I still get coaches in the area asking to borrow her for a few weeks as their student had a fall, etc. and they need to build their confidence once again.
I can put 3 kids on her back, turn her loose in a halter, and never worry. Same thing if you have 5 little kids, all standing on boxes groomimg her, she is in heaven.
She is also extremely maternal, having raised 6 foals, only two being her own.
That's one mare I will never be able to replace.

[railmom]

I am going to have to agree with Walnut Farm, Donnerhall (and his sons) throw some very sensible horses! I have had both Donnerschlag and Davignon mares, absolutely bombproof and a wee bit stubborn ;)

[twistoffate]

My guy is bombproof.... I do ride him bareback with a halter and lead rope and with mares on the other side of the fence. Kids can ride and handle him and I haven't found anything that phases him. You could literally shoot a gun off his back.

I have a filly by him that's 3 months old and she is the same way. It's almost a pain because I like "god" to get the youngsters when they are doing something wrong if possible (ie throwing a leg wrap at them if they are pawing, chewing etc...) She doesn't even bat an eye. She was carrying aroung a tarp the other day it was flapping in the wind behind her making all kinds of noise and she didn't care. :)

[camohn]

The stallion I had (Wild By Design) was pretty much bombproof once he had gotten off the farm all of about 5 times. His kids have all been that way except for one and her mother was a twit so she got momma's side there. I have 2 Waldaire babies this year. One is "average" in flappability (not at all a nervous horse but the normal scary things do scare her) and The Other One who is fearless and gets into all kinds of trouble because of it...she goes over, under and through fences on a regular basis....goes exploring a jumps back in her pasture.

[Stacie]

G-line hanoverians that go back to Grundstein and Grande.

[Daydream Believer]

I think the funniest thing was our Warmblood/Mustang cross filly when she was being introduced to her first tarp. None of the 3 of them shied away from the tarp, but when Layla approached she nosed the tarp, then she pawed at it a couple times and looked at it like she was trying to decide what it was. A breeze came up and made the tarp lift off the ground and her response was hilarious. Her head came up in shock and then she snorted and jumped on the tarp like her life depended on holding it down on the ground. She was bunny hopping up and down on it a few times and when it was no longer "alive", she sniffed it, snorted and trotted off of it without looking back.

Gotta love the kids.

I had a tarp blow in my filly pasture one day off our shavings pile and I found all of the baby girls...even my supposedly skittish ones, standing in the middle of this flapping tarp...on top of it. Most were pawing at it or pulling on it. It was hysterical. I wish I could have got a picture!

I've found my Col. Spanish babies are often more curious than fearful of new stuff. When we took some babies to the Equine Affaire last year, they were fascinated by the gutter covers and kept looking in the holes and pawing at the grates!

I don't know how many utterly bombproof horses I've ever met in my life...very few...but some of the calmest sanest horses have been the Colonial Spanish. The only downside to the breed, in general, is that I get outsmarted more than I'd like. ;)

[Indy-lou]

I was just sharing with my husband today about our Sir Sinclair filly. She is now coming 3 years of age come Spring. She is pretty much un-fazed by nearly everything. Today I entered the paddock with the Kawasaki Mule (utility vehicle) and inadvertently slammed the paddock gate into the paddock shelter while this filly was eating her lunch inside the shelter. Most horses would have bolted from the area from the concussion and noise, but this filly didn't budge and continued eating her lunch without concern. I have tested her with the open umbrella in the arena and she just marched up to it to sniff and proceeded to mouth and drag it all over. Very sensible.

[ahf]

Though I think that sirelines certainly have something to say...and I've been able to influence the temperament of one mare I have through the sireline...with the other mare...

It matters not who she is bred to. I often joke that I could breed Lesley (Lessing/Banter/AkzentI) to a fire-breathing dragon and get a volunteer. They are ALL kind, easy-going and very precocious. THe literal definition of bombproof.

I also believe this is nature, not nuture. THey are, who they are, because they were hard-wired that way.

[cheekyhorse]

my stallion Pacific is totally bombproof. I think it is the Enrico Caruso bloodline that produced it with him. Although his 1/2 siblings from the same sire are all very sane and quiet too, but he is exceptionally so.

Here is his pedigree. http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/pacific24

[Foxtrot's]

Irish horses: my baby by To Be Sure is pretty sane. But every single foal by that stallion has had that sensible Irish temperament - willing and athletic, too. Born broke.

[Ladybug Hill]

I have a Westporte colt this year that is my quietest most sensible foal EVER! He is out of a TB mare. I used to breed other breeds as a teenager (QHs, etc), so to say this is the quietest one ever is saying something.

Just taught him how to tie the other day. He acted like he has done it forever. No biggie!

[Gontyna]

I have a coming 4-year-old Contucci filly out of an "Old Polish" (Brusally breeding) Arabian mare, and she is as good-minded and quiet a horse as I've ever had. I'm a 40-something adult amateur and haven't started that many babies, but I never had a moment of worry with this one. It was almost as if she'd done it all before in another life. I sent her to my trainer about a month ago, and just last week, when the trainer got off of her, she said, "This is the horse you've been waiting for."

[MagicRoseFarm]

Pretty much everything by Beste Gold has proven to be bomb proof so far. Intelligent, considerate, and easy going on the ground and under saddle. I know for certain that Belucci ( Bolero/ Grande) was also a SAINT, and BG's dam is a G Line sibling to Gold Luck ( by Grusus, out of Annette(same Dam)).

Most of the Beste Gold babies have gone to higher level Amateurs, some as their first young horse, and a few to pros who love the easy ride.

My FEI Judge/Trainer/Coach bought a BG daughter for his wife, who they seem very happy with.

[wildswan]

G-line hanoverians that go back to Grundstein and Grande.

I second that. I have a 6yo Grand Cru out of a Derwisch mare. I would put anyone on him and not worry. He's versatile (dressage and jumps) and his temperament is to die for. I'd like 10 more just like him. I could have sold him 10x over if I wanted to.

[Tasker]

Waldaire hands down!

Our farrier has been shoeing for 40 years and has worked at some of the biggest breeding (TB & warmblood) farms in the PA/MD area...he swears by the temperament & sensibility of the babies. And as he is bending over the feet of 100's of foals each year, I trust his judgement and respect his opinion. He too jokes about them being born broke...

As far as riding horses, Adamant's get were/are also bombproof & responsible with the package (person) that they have on their back. If you get off balance, they slow down and move back underneath you. Dozens were started by their breeder/owners who had never had a youngster before in their lives. Again & Again's get were/are also very responsible - just with bigger gaits, so you best know what you're doing up there! :)

[nsm]

Ironman has the most bomb proof temperament I have ever seen in a horse, NOTHING fazes him. He is always, calm and cool about everything, and learns so fast it is unbelievable. His foals are so much like him, they are the easiest horses to break and train I have ever worked with,
Nancy

[europa]

My Escudo II filly has never put a foot wrong. She is the sweetest baby I have bred yet and just totally unflappable. She is also in a committed relationship with my hound dog! HA HA

[Home Again Farm]

Though I think that sirelines certainly have something to say...and I've been able to influence the temperament of one mare I have through the sireline...with the other mare...

It matters not who she is bred to. I often joke that I could breed Lesley (Lessing/Banter/AkzentI) to a fire-breathing dragon and get a volunteer. They are ALL kind, easy-going and very precocious. THe literal definition of bombproof.

I also believe this is nature, not nuture. THey are, who they are, because they were hard-wired that way.

Kate, I have one like that, too. Rohanna always produces the same temperament - easy, sweet, willing and people oriented.

[Fairview Horse Center]

My most bombproof cross is by by Hanoverian stallion Oliver (West Coast - Guntenburg - Don Camillo), and out of Nevada's mom, the Dutch/TB mare Indiana (Obelisk - Poldi - Hay Hook). They are all super solid, and we put kids on them as 3 year olds. My currrent 3 year old from this cross is under saddle about 20 rides, and a 14 year old girl just took a lesson on her. :winkgrin: She did great - not great steering, but totally quiet w/t/c and stepping over poles. The kid just purchased her full 2008 sibling. Last years 3 year old also sold to a junior rider before his 4th birthday. That is pretty bombproof. :yes:

Here is Aruba. 20 rides, and her first attempt at a "big" jump. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1395602902691587655

[Farrier's Daughter]

I believe temperament is a combination of nurture and nature.

That being said, my four-year old is by Dorofino (Donnerhall/Rubinstein) out of my TB/Eminenz mare. We rode in the mountains all summer and fall--he was ridden alone on the road and through the lumber mill, we encountered a rattle snake, we rode with other horses, etc.etc.etc. Nothing bothered him. I can jump on him bareback and ride him up to the barn from the field. I love that horse and the Donnerhall/Rubinstein cross.

I also have an older Argentan/TB gelding who was always quiet.

I have two foals by Rotspon this year--both of these babies are quiet. They don't care if the peacock and hens come into their field, or if the cat wanders under their legs, or even if the tractor is coming at them.

Also, we have a PMU gelding who Farrier usually rides--at six years old, he is also bombproof.

[Brutust]

I have bred my (sometimes obstinate) mare (Lugano I / Donnerwetter / Wöhler) with Escudo I and a newcomer, Sir Wanabi, and both foals were what you call bombproof horses.

[MagicRoseFarm]

It matters not who she is bred to. I often joke that I could breed Lesley (Lessing/Banter/AkzentI) to a fire-breathing dragon and get a volunteer. They are ALL kind, easy-going and very precocious. THe literal definition of bombproof.

It's pretty obvious by knowing your wonderful boy Fielding that this HAS to be his mom....

[Bugs-n-Frodo]

My colt (now gelded), Emerald Impressions (aka Preston)! :D

I tell everyone - if you can find something that scares him I'll pay you - he is totally unflappable and NOTHING rattles him. The first time someone went to get on him they took too long for his liking so he cocked a hip and fell asleep (literally). He LOVES to travel and see new things - NOTHING on the road bothers him (and we were wrapped up in a BAD wreck outside Atlanta one time with firetrucks, ambulances, life flight, cops etc and even a train on the overpass directly over us and he thought it was great fun and was fascinated). He goes on trails, has seen all kinds of things and has never spooked at anything. He is the type that will go TOWARD something rather than away from it. 100% trustworthy - even after a week or so under saddle I would have trusted a kid on him (and he was not gelded then).

His pedigree: http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/emerald+impressions

I think a lot of the rideablity comes from the sire, Impressionist. But the downright bravery comes from his dam - Encore (cory). Cory has had two other foals now (different stallion) and all 3 of her babies have the same bold/inquisitive nature.


EVENTER!!!!!!

[ticofuzzy]

My older LePanto/Sandsturm mare puts a bombproof, easygoing temperament on every single one of her babies no matter who she is bred to. These horses do not care about anything you do with them and nothing phases them at all. She has had 5 foals for me and they are all exactly the same.

[Stacie]

I second that. I have a 6yo Grand Cru out of a Derwisch mare. I would put anyone on him and not worry. He's versatile (dressage and jumps) and his temperament is to die for. I'd like 10 more just like him. I could have sold him 10x over if I wanted to.
Pictures Pictures!

[acottongim]

EVENTER!!!!!!

Thanks Amy - he is with an eventer in Southern Pines right now and she LOVES him. He has gone on a HT recently and was fantastic. She thinks he's perfectly suited to either eventing or to fox hunting actually.

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

I'm not a regular breeder. I bred my mare for the first time last year due to her unflappable personality and conformation. Out of all the horses I've had off the track, she has had the most easy going. Goats can charge out of bushes at us trail riding etc and she never bolts or anything. She just looks at them then keeps going.

I felt that she would pass along her easy going personality to her foal and she did. Aiden is a love bug and so easy going. He loves to explore and check things out. He is by Sempatico, I've heard he has an easy going personality too.

My mare is by Fly Till Dawn (Grey Dawn line) and out of Elena's Halo (Halo line). I've heard of several other FTD offspring that have the same easy going demeanor.

[SBF]

My mare is by Fly Till Dawn (Grey Dawn line) and out of Elena's Halo (Halo line). I've heard of several other FTD offspring that have the same easy going demeanor.

Interesting - I had a FTD mare years ago that was a total fruitloop. Must have come from her dam.

I currently have two Freestyle youngsters, and both are very quiet and were "born broke".

[LockeMeadows]

All of my foals by IBA Gamblin Man had *the best brains*. I purchased the stallion as an unhandled yearling (I was only 15yo at the time) and did all of his training myself. You could not have asked for a quieter stallion. In the middle of breeding season, I could (and did) ride him bareback in a halter and leadrope through my field of mares. His foals were born broke. As a trainer, they made my life easy. You didn't have to teach them to load. You just walked up to the trailer and got in; they would follow. At shows, my babies would always stand quietly and jog perfectly. We still have one IBA Gamblin Man gelding who is doing the Green Larges this year and is a saint. He is already a packer and he'll be six in April.

My Silvio foals are very similar to the above stallion's get. They have great brains and are basically idiot proof.

[Fred]

The tarp stories made me laugh. I used to have a huge tarp covering my shavings pile, and since we live on a hill, the wind could really make it rattle and flap. More than once it 'got away' and flew into the pasture with the yearling fillies. I would come out and see them standing on it, pawing it and trying to eat it. All babies by A Fine Romance.

A Fine Romance really has a remarkable intelligent and unflappable temperament. I think it has a lot to do with self-confidence. He never spooks.
When he was at Hilltop, going up to the breeding shed for the first time, a herd of wild deer leapt across the path ahead of him. I'm sure he has never seen anything like that, but he didn't flinch. The stallion handler and the barn manager both said to me after: "that horse is a class act".

Sometimes that unflappable temperament is a matter of life or death.
Last year, my truck broke down on the highway when I was bringing AFR back from being collected. I coasted over to the very narrow shoulder. The huge transports and dump trucks thundering past were literally buffeting my 3 horse trailer. I was terrified that one of them would plow into us. We sat on the side of the road for over an hour, waiting for the CAA and for a friend to arrive with her truck and trailer. Understandably,he was getting restless in there.
When my friend arrived, she pulled her rig in ahead of me. We had to unload on the highway, walk along the road and load back up. There was absolutely NO MARGIN for error. Six lanes of traffic was whizzing past. I unloaded him, and walked directly to the waiting trailer. He did not flinch, did not take one step sideways, and loaded without hesitation on my friend's trailer. Not so much as a sideways glance.

When we got home, he leapt and bucked and pranced all the way to the barn!!! :)

I nearly collapsed with relief.

It has been remarkable to me that this intelligence and self confidence is being passed on quite reliably to his offspring. The phrase I hear most often from people who have them is "born broke".
They are not dull, but smart and level headed.
His full sister and her offspring are equally smart and level-headed.

I don't know how to post pedigree links, but he is by Brave Shot (GB) (Bold Bidder - Gay Missile, Sir Gaylord) out of Two Bitter (Pluck/Windy Fay - (Double Jay/Nasrullah/Windfields)
Inbred 4x4 Nasrullah, 5x5 Princequillo.

[not again]

Wonderful story, Fred. Thanks for sharing! BTW my all time favorite personal riding horse is a descendant of Sir Gaylord. Love that mind.:yes:

[EqTrainer]

I second that. I have a 6yo Grand Cru out of a Derwisch mare. I would put anyone on him and not worry. He's versatile (dressage and jumps) and his temperament is to die for. I'd like 10 more just like him. I could have sold him 10x over if I wanted to.

:yes: Our G-line is versatile like that and has such a fabulous temperament. I would not call him bombproof - he can spook, but he is always honest about it and is more of a reaction than a freak-out. He also snorts at things :lol: and if he does that, you know that is all he is going to do.

I am sure by the time he is middle aged he will be bombproof. Funny, I think the snortiness comes from his QH mom.

[BeastieSlave]

My unflappable youngster is by Freedom Z. His dam is by Evergreen and she's a pretty hot mare as was her TB dam from what I understand. My guy is nothing like his mom as far as temperament is concerned. I'm glad he takes after his dad :yes: Mom's not bad, just not an easy going horse....

[allanglos]

I have had two bomb proof mounts. The first is Selket Ladyin Red, an Arabian.

Her pedigree:

http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/selket+ladyin+red

And a video of her being ridden after a year off for foaling:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eDpqYj5voo (Walk/Trot)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhOBIOQJxWs (Canter)

The second is Run Really Run (a.k.a. "Heidi"). She is a Thoroughbred.

Her pedigree:

http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/run+really+run

I don't have an under saddle video, but here she is babysitting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnXkv_5CP0g

Both mares are rock steady, even on trails with beginner riders and when the other riders gallop off, they plod along quiet and happy as can be:)

[Marydell]

Hey Fred!
Our boys must be cut from the same cloth LOL!!
My stallion, Don Principe, was on his way to a show down I 95 when the van broke down. A client of the trainer was following and she pulled over to wait with him for assistance. When it turned out the van was going to be out for a week or more, they towed it but in the process, they took my boy off the trailer and put him on the client's 2 horse- on the side of the 6 lane of I 95! This lady had never handled a stallion before and my horse had not know the other horse on the rig.
They went on to the show by themselves where I met up with them a few hours later. By that time, the client had unloaded Don Principe, bedded his stall and hand walked him around the barns. She simply could not believe what a gentleman he was

In additition, when we were at the 2008 Developing Horse Finals in KY in Spet, my stallion was in the ring when the 90 mph winds hit. They blew trash, plastic bags and dropped metal chaffing dishes in the hospitality tent, blew over the port a potty 10 feet behind "A" while "Prince" just kept on without a spook or bolt.

I just love him and all of his offspring are the same.

MAryanna Haymon
www.marydellfarm.com
2007 USEF Breeder of the Year!

[wildswan]

Pictures Pictures!
OK, it's taken me a while, but just to prove that he really does exist, here are some youtube links to my Grand Cru/Derwisch gelding. He's 6, wasn't started under saddle until this year, and has only about 3-4 months of training when these pictures were taken last week. Nothing seems to phase him. I'm absolutely amazed at how rideable he is!

This is some trot and canter on a long rein:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niUCMXgFREM

And learning to jump a few little fences:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omM5WtHaU-o

I couldn't ask for anything more.

[dressagetraks]

I was just talking tonight to the previous owner of my new Veneziano mare, giving her an update on our first month together. This mare is the most thinking horse I've ever seen, with a bit of a sense of humor underneath it, too. She looks at everything, in the way an interested (but not nuts fanatic) spectator at a sports event follows the play. I've never seen her spook, even when the others jump at something like a deer eruption, but even though I was sure she's never been a spooky horse, she also does have the dislocated fetlock. She never runs just to play like the others do, either. She can move at all gaits, just a bit weirdly, but only does so to travel A to B. Not having known her unhurt, it's been hard to tell if I'm looking at basic temperament or basic temperament with adaptations to physical disability.

Anyway, when I mentioned how much I appreciate her wonderful mind, her previous owner was telling me old Twister stories tonight. Among others:

She never once from first mounting on bucked, spooked, or even had a moment under saddle.

The first time she was taken as a green filly just backed for a lesson at the trainer's - dressage arena on a hill, surrounded by a big field, no border to riding area other than dressage rail - the unhorsey neighbor, who had permission to hay on the field, came over with hay equipment in the middle of the lesson and fired it up, coming right up to the dressage rail on his first (and only, right then at least ;) ) lap. Twister was watching with great interest.

The second time, still a green filly, she went for a lesson at the trainer's, the neighbor on the other side was putting up a hay barn. Big pieces of aluminum siding, great hammerings and bangs, and since it was windy, a piece of siding once even flew off the stack and came over their way. Twister thought it was interesting.

Once when she was turned out at the owner's home, a hot air balloon landed in the field immediately next door. All others in the herd turned tail and galloped for the barn at full snort. Twister went TOWARD the balloon, close as she could get to it over the fence, and avidly watched them deflate it and put it away.

Honestly, the mare reminds me of Spock. If she had one comment on life, it would be "fascinating." :yes:

I cannot wait to see her foals. I already have a name picked out for her first filly for me, in honor of my mother, and that one will be a keeper.

[risingstarfarm]

Most of the Onassis babies I have met have been pretty sensible (I have personally owned two and they are both totally cool).

My stallion throws a pretty awesome temperament and as far as I'm concerned...... temperament far outweighs any other attribute.

[acottongim]

Deb - I swear that must be the Veneziano. My filly is JUST like that. She was the last of the fillies born but she is the boss, she is the most serene, she is the calmest under pressure etc. When she does kick up her heels and plays it is so startling because she almost never does it. Normally she watches the OTHER babies play and be idiots while she looks at them with a look of total disgust on her face like the prissy little girl at school that doesn't want to get sweaty LOL. She has been like that since 2 months old when her mom was buried. I just chalked it up to she had to grow up fast. Her mom was quiet too, but nothing like this filly. Everyone loves her and she adores the attention. She is like a giant stuffed animal. BUT she keeps this air of "I don't need you" around her all the time. Very regal filly. LOL

Rhonda - Tate is really showing how brave he really is. It used to be the silliest things that would "scare" him (could wash his face full force with a hose but couldn't wash his body for example, or you could clip his ears but don't touch the fetlocks... sigh). But as he matures he has really come into his own and even if it is something that SHOULD scare a horse he generally just looks at it.

[ponygirl]

Are you wanting fabulous temperaments as foals or as riding horses? I ask b/c sometimes they are very different when under saddle than when foals.

[kalora]

I am not a breeder but I have an 18 month old baby sired by Escapade with an truly incredible temperament. Ellington is a solid citizen even when he first arrived. Here is a link to a new video of him... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH_TsO-jaUY

[LisaO]

Well, I breed for great temperaments and minds and have done wonderfully with all my 'kids.' My favorites, though, are the wonderful holsteiners Camiros (very much alive) and Lordship (deceased, unfortunately). Awesome awesome horses to work with. Seem to do well no matter what they're crossed with!

[grayarabpony]

I agree, wonderful story Fred.

Many TBs have lovely steady temperments. But I wouldn't judge one straight off the track.

[Cinnybren]

Fred is right on the money with her description of Fred babies. I have one and he is, as she described, born broke. He is not dull but very smart and easy. I had him out with the saddle on and stirrups banging against his side, "lunging" him on a smallish circle at the walk when someone shot a shotgun in the near vicinity. He didn't even flinch. I did though! ;) I can put his blanket on over his head and pull it around and over him...he doesn't care. He'd been so good that we decided to get on him for the first time last week. My boyfriend got on and we walked around, absolutly a non-event to Andy. I love this boy! The "worst" I can say about him is that he is too helpful. :) I was out repairing the fence a couple of weeks ago and he kept "stealing" my hat. I swear he'd take it off my head and get this glimmer in his eye that he was playing a great joke on "Mom".

[ponygirl]

Well, I breed for great temperaments and minds and have done wonderfully with all my 'kids.' My favorites, though, are the wonderful holsteiners Camiros (very much alive) and Lordship (deceased, unfortunately). Awesome awesome horses to work with. Seem to do well no matter what they're crossed with!

Actually I know a Camiros that was not remotely easy at all from day 1. Dam is an ammie horse and has other offspring that have good brains.

[dressagetraks]

Better keep an eye on your V filly, Anissa! Twister's former owner also told me that, in addition to being bombproof, Twister opens doors. Stall latches, tack room doors . . . After she lets herself out, she lets everyone else out, too. As I don't have my barn (yet), I hadn't encountered that aspect of her, but you apparently have to go to great lengths to keep a door from her. She takes it as a challenge - AND she was seen once trying to teach her foal the art of door opening, as well.

[siegi b.]

As the person that owned Veneziano it makes me proud to hear how his foals take after him. He was fearless and didn't suffer fools lightly. I have one of his daughters and she's regal and purposeful - you can't just go up to her and love her, she has to know you first. Once she knows you though, you couldn't ask for a more trustworthy animal.

On the Dutch side the stallions that reliably give great temperaments and rideability to their kids based on my own experience are -
Contango
OO Seven
Florencio
Idocus

[Marsha]

So far my most unflappable youngster is my Deluxe/Duellglanz colt. He amazes me daily:)

[harborview]

Some kudos to the recently passed great sire Alla Czar, but my weanling filly by his son Balta 'Czar out of a Rampal mare is totally unflappable. She (thinks she is) is a darling "Miss Thing" and smart and sane. I bought the mare in foal for a companion to my Sir Donnerhall coming and "Bunny" aka Island Girl HVF came out saying that I was wrong and the Sir D colt was for her companionship. She is a little darling that can be left alone, exposed to new things without a worry, very easy. Pretty as a picture with high whites and a blaze, the attitude is what makes me want to keep her. I do believe that nature contributes so much. All mine are raised the same and they are all different. Easy is good combined with everything else we need, conformation, movement, jumping ability, breeding. They just aren't all as easy. And easy doesn't mean a lack of vibrance. That's all there, she is a little sprite, very athletic. Just user-friendly. I won't hesitate to use Balta 'Czar in the future.

[acottongim]

As the person that owned Veneziano it makes me proud to hear how his foals take after him. He was fearless and didn't suffer fools lightly. I have one of his daughters and she's regal and purposeful - you can't just go up to her and love her, she has to know you first. Once she knows you though, you couldn't ask for a more trustworthy animal.



Siegi - I so love my Sera - and I so wish I could have had another one like her! :( Dad and I were just commenting about her today and how good she is. We were putting up electric fences and the like. The babies all had to "help" of course. All the rest were just being pests about it all (picking up the bucket, rifeling through the plastic things for the fencing... just generaly getting in the way. Sera "supervised" it all. She had to come investigate, then stepped back and just watched us all. If someone got TOO nosy, or if we did something that she thought was wrong, she would come over and nose them out of the way or investigate us more. LOL Regal describes her exactly. She is a wise old soul in a foal's body. My vet and farrier love her. When we go to shows people have to come over to hug her (which she tolerates barely LOL). I can't wait to breed her and ride her - it will be interesting to see how much of her (and her sire) come through. Granted, her dam sire was Carino who is also known for his kind spirit, but from talking to you and hearing about other V mares I think her temperment comes mainly from him.

[kayandallie]

I looked at an Antibes (Hannoverian) child; as a 5 year old he was extremely quiet. The vet loved his personality and a reference who knew Antibes and his babies gave him a really good recommendation: said Antibes threw "dead-dog quiet." I would have loved to have bought him (the 5 year old) but things did not work out.

[tikidoc]

I have a 6 yo Belgian WB gelding by Nicholas (http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/nicholas4) out of an Anglo-Trak mare. He is an absolute gem. Nothing seems to phase him. I bought him as a weanling, and he has always been very easy to work with. He is very smart and catches on to things in no time. I sent him out for a couple months to be started under saddle the fall of his 3 yo year because I was pregnant at the time. When I first got on him the following spring (after having the winter off), it was a little windy that day. During my ride, the gusts all of a sudden blew up to over 40 mph but you never would have known it by watching CB. He was an angel. He has beautiful gaits and a fantastic jump. From what I understand, Nick's babies as a rule have great temperments, and Nick himself was among the best behaved stallions I have ever been around.

[dalpal]

G-line hanoverians that go back to Grundstein and Grande.

I would agree.

I have a Graf Genius mare and have met several of his offspring.....all of them are laid back, confident, and love people. Very enjoyable horses to be around.

[dalpal]

Waldaire hands down!

Our farrier has been shoeing for 40 years and has worked at some of the biggest breeding (TB & warmblood) farms in the PA/MD area...he swears by the temperament & sensibility of the babies. And as he is bending over the feet of 100's of foals each year, I trust his judgement and respect his opinion. He too jokes about them being born broke...

As far as riding horses, Adamant's get were/are also bombproof & responsible with the package (person) that they have on their back. If you get off balance, they slow down and move back underneath you. Dozens were started by their breeder/owners who had never had a youngster before in their lives. Again & Again's get were/are also very responsible - just with bigger gaits, so you best know what you're doing up there! :)

I bought a Walidare mare a few years ago....now keep in mind, all I knew was that she was out of a QH mare and I knew nothing of her upbringing...so I am sure there were other factors here....but she was not a nice horse....she was very insecure horse with many issues. I ended up giving her away to a rehab person......who was able to sell her to a professional jumper rider. I was told that her new name means "CRAZY" in a different language.

[Fred]

Wonderful story, Fred. Thanks for sharing! BTW my all time favorite personal riding horse is a descendant of Sir Gaylord. Love that mind.:yes:


thank you not again, I think it must come from the stallion's (Brave Shot) side of the family too.
thank you too GAP.

Great story Marydell! what a good boy!!!

[Tasker]

I bought a Walidare mare a few years ago....now keep in mind, all I knew was that she was out of a QH mare and I knew nothing of her upbringing...so I am sure there were other factors here....but she was not a nice horse....she was very insecure horse with many issues. I ended up giving her away to a rehab person......who was able to sell her to a professional jumper rider. I was told that her new name means "CRAZY" in a different language.


Wow...what a shame! :( And I think I remember corresponding with you about her a few years ago. (chestnut with 4 socks & a small star, right?)

Totally the polar opposite from Wally & his kids that I know personally. I just heard about a 2006 gelding out of hot TB mare that has been doing 4 & 5 hour scavenger hunts, paper chases and local hunters with his owner/breeder/trainer since May. (granted that is not what I would do with my 2 year old but...) Our 2005's are dead quiet and totally business-like about, well, everything undersaddle. Then again, so were their mothers, their mothers fathers, etc.

Perhaps there were some problems in her background that were never resolved. I hope that your former horse settles in with people that understand her...

[akrogirl]

My Landkoenig youngster is pretty darn unflappable. Yes, she is nosy as all heck and likes to check out everything that is going on, but she is as much of a puppy dog as her sire and a pleasure to ride :-)

[risingstarfarm]

I think my most unflappable horse ever is my young Trakehner mare Bellessima. She's by Onassis out of Bala (by Tron). Sweet, steady, easy - super duper! This filly was started in early October - I took her to a new farm in late October (ten rides later) and within an hour of her arrival I was sitting on her as we trotted around the arena. A week later, she was jumping small courses. Her caregivers raved about her temperament and sweetness.

I also have a yearling colt by Neostan out of the same mare (Bala) - he's so cool and easy that we're leaving him entire -no reason to cut him yet as he's a perfect gentleman and sweet.

One of my stallions reliably throws sweet foals - Cielo B has a great temperament and he passes it on to his kids. That's really important to me since he also throws big -so, sweet is a must!

Other sweet and easy bombproof babies born on the farm have been by Lotus T, Concorde B and Ironman.

[Fred]

Fred is right on the money with her description of Fred babies. I have one and he is, as she described, born broke. He is not dull but very smart and easy. I had him out with the saddle on and stirrups banging against his side, "lunging" him on a smallish circle at the walk when someone shot a shotgun in the near vicinity. He didn't even flinch. I did though! ;) I can put his blanket on over his head and pull it around and over him...he doesn't care. He'd been so good that we decided to get on him for the first time last week. My boyfriend got on and we walked around, absolutly a non-event to Andy. I love this boy! The "worst" I can say about him is that he is too helpful. :) I was out repairing the fence a couple of weeks ago and he kept "stealing" my hat. I swear he'd take it off my head and get this glimmer in his eye that he was playing a great joke on "Mom".

Good Boy, Andy! Our little boy is growing up.
I had to laugh about the "too helpful" comment. :) That is a good way to put it. If I have to go out to repair fences, or adjust blankets, or something, everybody needs to "help".... and because they are not spooky, you can't shoo them away.
;)

I remember once when Fred was a baby, maybe two years old. He was out in his paddock. The Blue Angels went over, flying low. And loud. He paused, with his mouth full of grass, and just stood, looking up, watching them go over. Not one bit spooked.

[LisaO]

"Actually I know a Camiros that was not remotely easy at all from day 1. Dam is an ammie horse and has other offspring that have good brains."

And??? I was commenting on the wonderful offspring I have had the pleasure to see and work with. I don't think there's any guarantee that every horse by or out of a certain horse will have perfect temperaments. Even clones vary.

Cheers!

[ponygirl]

"Actually I know a Camiros that was not remotely easy at all from day 1. Dam is an ammie horse and has other offspring that have good brains."

And??? I was commenting on the wonderful offspring I have had the pleasure to see and work with. I don't think there's any guarantee that every horse by or out of a certain horse will have perfect temperaments. Even clones vary.

Cheers!

That is exactly my point, nothing more.

[Lyss]

For those who have posted about their Veneziano offspring, I have to share as well. I had a Veneziano gelding out of an Arab mare.....absolutely gorgeous gelding that was the easiest horse ever to start and totally unflappable but a real character as well. I have since sold him, but I still miss that clownish lovable personality of his as well as the utterly safe feeling he gave undersaddle. But I also have a coming 7 year old mare by Happy Hour out of the same Arab dam - she is a Diva in the sense she loves to show off, but she too is utterly reliable to handle, ride and show, very honest and uncomplicated undersaddle. Her first foal is now a long yearling filly by Rosario and she too is also one of those bright but oh so easy youngsters. I recently took her for a weekend visit to the training barn - she acted like she lived there her entire life the moment she stepped off the trailer, unconcerned about leaving her pasture mates and was far more interested in visiting all the "two legged" creatures then paying attention to any of the horses there or the activities of a very busy training barn - I think she is going to be very fun undersaddle as well!

[MaresNest]

I have a super confident 3 yo filly by Windfall CB. (A Weltmeyer son.) Her mother is a very confident, sensible (and generally fabulous) TB.

[mbj]

I agree about Fred babies being unflappable and "helpful". Our 3 year old got hurt this Fall and has been in his stall for several months and is the world's best patient. No fuss, no bad manners,cheerful,hangs out with a single stall guard across his door,chewing on his tongue and making funny faces to get a hug or pat, and visiting with "his" pig, easy peasy boy to hand graze... Shipped for many hours alone as a yearling, absolutely un-fazed,eating hay and drinking his water. Was broken under saddle briefly as a 2 year old and absolutely no issues, so after a couple hacks xc was done until older. And the person who said they are too helpful is so right. If you are mucking out he is literally breathing soft warm air down your neck. Totally a people person. Alert but calm. Ideal ammie mind.

[JWB]

Lasting Impression (BWP/RPSI) consistently throws very quiet babies. Liam went back and forth between working hunters and grand prix jumpers and his babies all seem to have the same temperment.

I was riding my JUST BROKE rising three year old a few weeks ago durring a REALLY cold and windy day (for Florida). She'd been under saddle less than a month and didn't care at all about the cold & wind, the tarp that flew off of the shavings bin, the horse trailers pulling in for lessons, the lady ponying her yearling stallion down the road, the people driving their minis......

I understand this is more the rule than the exception with his babies. I don't know if he's still at stud though. I know he got sold as an ameture hunter but I believe he's still available via frozen semen.

Lasting Impression is a Lemgo son.