The term "Iberian horse" refers to any one of more than a dozen horse breeds as well as some breeds of ponies that originated from the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. The more well-known Iberian horses include the Andalusian and Lusitano breeds as well as the Balearic breeds. Considered to be some of the oldest existing horses, the origins of the Iberian horse can be traced back as early as 20,000 B.C.

Photo I saw of Iris the day she went to auction. 07/2014

Devan riding Iris just a week after we brought her home.

Iris and Sobe getting "married"! July 2015

Clover as a 3 year old

How Our Story Began...

Our journey into Iberian horses began back in July of 2014 when I saw a picture of an Azteca (1/2 Quarter Horse & 1/2 Andalusian) horse that was going to auction. I can't explain what drew me to her, but all I knew was that I needed to go save her. When I arrived at the auction she was in a pen looking scared and nervous. She was sucking on her tongue and weaving back and forth frantically. I walked up to her and said, " Don't worry, you are going home with me." Shortly after, I saw them "dancing" her on the concrete with a huge crowd surrounding her cheering. I was horrified! She was only 3 years old and the look of panic and fear on her face was devastating. They continued to "dance" her for several hours until the auction started and once in the auction ring they carried onto "dancing" her for the cheering crowd. I was furious! Once the bidding began, my paddle never went down. I just held it straight up in the air. The "regulars" at the auction were not happy to see me there bidding on "their" dancing horse. But, alas, I won! I immediately went and paid my fees and grabbed her, now drenched in sweat, to load her up for the four-hour drive home. I promised her she would never have to "perform" again and would never see the inside of another auction house. Once home, I tucked her in for the night, and she took a deep sigh of relief. She knew she was safe. 

The next morning the kids went running outside to meet the new horse, and that is when we decided her name would be Iris (her registered name is LaNevada). Iris has now been with us for 7 years and while she still sucks her tongue, she has blossomed into an amazing horse. Iris has a huge personality and insists on getting all the attention. I had never owned this breed before but instantly fell in love with their temperament, character and attitude. Iris has and always will be my heart horse, however due to the way she was trained and ridden at such a young age, she is no longer sound enough for the type of riding I like to do daily (Dressage & Trail). My vet recommended that we breed Iris as that can often help "settle" her a bit so we decided to breed her to a friend's Andalusian stallion in July of 2015. That cross created a beautiful 3/4 Andalusian colt named Clover.  Clover has now grown up and has become a wonderful woman's heart horse!

Iris today! She is now playing nanny to our mini filly!

During this time Devan, found her heart horse, a quarter horse mare, named Eeve. Eeve was the apple of Devan's eye, and we wanted to try breeding her to Sobe, Clover's sire. So we did and she gave birth to a beautiful little filly named Zaara. Unfortunately, Eeve died unexpectidly when Zaara was 8 months old. Zaara, an Azteca, is now 3 years old and she is looking for her forever person! We are excited to announce that Zaara has found her forever person! Thank you Marcie Ide for giving Zaara an amazing home!

After Eeve passed, we began our search for Devan's next partner.  Looking at several horses, we ended up finding a beautiful S/P mare. S/P means that she is half Andalusian (Spanish origin) and half Lusitano (Portuguese origin). Gucci was just 4 years old, and Devan decided she wanted to train her with a trainer. Gucci like Devan, keeps getting taller, and today they are just a perfect reflection of each other.

Olive's sales ad photo from 2019 as a 3 year old.

I began my search for a new horse in early 2019. I knew I wanted an Iberian horse, but I was not sure which breed would best suit my wishes. After extensive research and help from my friend, Laurie Ridgeway of Grand Illusion Farms, I decided I wanted an Andalusian. Many hours were spent looking online for my perfect horse. Some came close but none of them connected to me like Iris. Until one evening I was scrolling through Facebook and saw this 3 year old Andalusian mare in Texas. My heart stopped and as I began looking through all her photos and videos, I couldn't believe I finally found her! After extensive conversations with her owner, Glee Hastings, and a thorough vet check, she, was on a trailer from Texas to California.  The kids and I talked extensively about what to name her and Devan's friend suggested Olive. It was perfect. Olive has been the most amazing riding partner and friend I could ask for in a horse. As the years go by, Olive is maturing and growing...especially that mane!

I was having so much fun with Olive I decided to add another horse to our farm. In October of 2020, I was able to purchase a Lusitano mare named Ellarema Bel. Ella was 11 years old and had been struggling with her current owner. We brought Ella home and started working with her on retraining. By this time, I had discovered a system of riding called Legerete. Legerete is about riding in lightness and that is exactly what Ella needed. Ella had never been on a trail ride and so we began to mix trail riding into her program.  Ella was a rockstar and absolutely loved it! As time progressed, we realized that there may be something physically wrong with her and after a lot of exploration, we discovered her TMJ had been injured at some point in her life. We have been treating the joint and she continues to improve. Meanwhile, we decided to breed her as she has an amazing pedigree. Ella was bred to Bailado do Top a beautiful buckskin Lusitano stallion. She is due to foal in April 2022. 

And that is our story of how we ended up with a barn full of Andalusian, Lusitano, S/P and Azteca mares! We hope you will want to come and meet these lovely ladies and learn more about them and their personalities!

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