Pippo
Zazu
Zurina
Pioggia
Barizja
Lisa
Ghibli
Spiky
Paquita
Other Horses
Pippo - the appaloosa - living at Villa Stabbia
Although still young-ish, he has retired and is a full time pensioner. This being due to the arthritis in his hind legs, which on most days are unnoticeable, though from time to time makes him walk a bit stiff.
Pippo was an extremely well trained western horse, a particularly experienced trekking horse and could be mounted by adults as well as children. His very smooth gait and so easy to control made him suitable for riders of all ages and abilities.
Other favourite toys are footballs, sticks, robes, cameras.... more or less anything will do.
He does not easily tolerate being approached by strangers - a proper introduction is needed. He will then decide if he likes the person or not; and if the person is allowed to touch him. A real character.
Pippo is an appaloosa and was born in 1998. He is bay-coloured with a blanket of white spots over loin and hips and has a star and 3 white socks. For news of his arrival at Villa Stabbia - click here
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Zazu - the anglo-arab - living at Villa Stabbia
Zazu comes from the stables around Siena, where they breed Anglo-Arabs for the Palio race, however he did not have the right temperament for it and was trained western (very well trained actually) though used for mainly trail rides.
So when arriving here he was re-trained for dressage and today he is the most versatile horse. A very experienced and reliable trekking horse, loves jumping, good for western and does dressage as well.
He is not too keen on playing the “push-button” pony for kids, but does it for a while when asked nicely.
He is open for anything or anybody new. This can actually be a bit of a problem on treks, since everything has to be checked out - and he has to say hello to every dog, cat, horse, donkey ... person that he meets along the way. However this also means that he is not afraid of anything - at all.
Being so open and accepting everybody new, he is the horse that welcomes every newcomer to the group. Zazu showed Zurina around the place and spent many months by her side when she first arrived, then looked after Pioggia. He was totally open mouthed over the beauty of Barizja and even spent many hours cuddling with Lisa. Ghibli was given a hug and some food was shared with Spiky.
However no other horse has caught his heart as Paquita - he was the only male to be allowed near Paquita by her mum when she was just born and has been the perfect uncle for her ever since.
Zazu is an anglo-arab and was born in 1999. He is dark bay-coloured with only one marking, a white star. For news of his arrival at Villa Stabbia - click here
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Zurina - the small andalusian - living at Villa Stabbia
Zurina (Spanish girls name meaning white) was born and trained in Spain and did not arrive here in Italy until February 2006.
Actually the very next day we bought her …. She was just so cute that she immediately stole our hearts.
With the intent to be used for mainly children, but still strong enough to carry an adult, she quickly showed us that the children part would have to wait for a while, as she had just too much energy. On treks she will be in front rushing ahead or right behind the guide-horse, constantly pushing him/her to go faster; though today she has slowed down considerably and has become the perfect horse for children as well as adults.
It also became apparent that she had not spent much time in an arena - she learned very quickly and then when it was time to introduce her to jumping.... It was obvious that she had never tried to jump before in her life nor did she have a natural talent. But Zurina liked jumping - and via her enthusiasm she even got good at it - though not that quickly.
Zurina is a PRE and was born in 1998. She is flea-bitten light-grey (grey with tiny spots of black, brown or red hair), with a dark grey/black mane and tail. For news of her arrival at Villa Stabbia - click here
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Pioggia - the long legged andalusian - living at Villa Stabbia
Although her story is unknown, it has been possible to piece together some bits and pieces of information and most likely she worked with bulls in Spain for quite some years.
As she has sign of a baddish injury on her hind legs, she may have been wounded and then sold off, as she most definitely went through a very rough period thereafter, changing owners frequently.
When she came to Villa Stabbia, she was extremely skinny and her hooves shoved that she had been malnourished for at least 6 months - if not more. In addition she has scars showing bad treatment.
Piogga is always in a wonderful mood and charms everyone with her warm, gentle and kind nature. A true princess.
Usually she serves as Zurina’s maid and bodyguard, but when off-duty she loves to spend time with her girl-friends Lisa and Barizja.
Due to her previous work, Pioggia is well schooled for dressage, but loves a good long trek. Especially if it involves some speeeed! Though it is not her favourite, she has a really good technique in jumping. Pioggia gave birth to Paquita the 11th of July 2013 - her first foal, and also the first foal born here at Villa Stabbia.
Pioggia is a PRE and was born in 1999. She is dapple-grey. As she gets older, Pioggia will most likely turn white. For news of her arrival at Villa Stabbia - click here
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Barizja - the Wielkopolska - Polish warm blood - living at Villa Stabbia
A strong horse was needed and as the preference here at Villa Stabbia is for mares, that was what we were looking for. She was chosen from the simple fact that she was the mare with the biggest behind. That she turned out to be the most sweet and kind horse - well that might also have been one of the reasons she moved in.
She is the strongest of our horses and can carry experienced riders up to 85 kg. She is the only one of our horses that are only ridden by adults.
Barizja has an un-obtainable dream – she wishes she was a miniature horse. This way she could rest in our arms and get lots of cuddles all day. Weighing towards 600 kg this will always just remain a dream - but she still tries. No other horse loves cuddles as much as her – well maybe Lisa … and Zazu … and Paquita … and ….
Barizja is a Polish Warm blood and was born in June 2005. She is almost equally coloured dark brown and white with a long white broad blaze. For news of her arrival at Villa Stabbia - click here
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Lisa - the halflinger - living at Villa Stabbia
With the many children at the riding centre a pony was needed. It was rumoured that a really nice haflinger was for sale not too far away - up in the mountains. She totally took us by surprise with her independence yet forthcoming nature. Full of energy yet sweet and calm when close to people.
Lisa spent 2 years as a therapeutic horse at Dynamo Camp near
Pistoia - the first summer camp in Italy to be structured
specifically for children with serious or chronic illnesses who are
currently in therapy or in post-hospitalization convalescence.
Hence
she is wonderful with children and seeks their company (and cuddles) at
every opportunity.
She is steady and fast on treks and are currently used for lessons for riders with some experience or for what she prefers - small treks around the fields with children.
Lisa is pretty easy going when in the group. She goes along with all the other horses and although her friendship with Barizja is stronger, she often spends time with Pioggia, Zazu and even Zurina.
Lisa is a Haflinger and was born in April 2005. She is palomino coloured with a thin white blaze. For news of her arrival at Villa Stabbia - click here
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Ghibli - the tall andalusian - living at Villa Stabbia
Having searched for a long time for a strong horse, Ghibli appeared out of the blue. He was everything we had been looking for - tall, strong built, Spanish PRE, young .... only slight problem was that he was skinny, undernourished, lacking muscles, after having spent his last three years in a field with not that much food. However, after vaccinations, castration, lots and lots of food and some ground work, he soon started to show his potential.
Ghibli is a Pura Raza Española, born on the 8th of April 2009 in Cortona, Arezzo - Tuscany. He is rather tall for his breed, 166 cm when he came in October 2013, 170 cm in February 2014, and still growing. His mum was part of a group of PRE horses imported from Spain, where the intention was to start a breeding program of horses for mainly shows. However after a year or two - the idea was abandoned and the horses were more or less forgotten. Until they were all sold off - lucky for us. Gibli's real name is L Uno M Silver - but Ghibli fits him so much better.
His training was equal to zero, never seen a saddle, never tasted a bit, never done anything, not even used to be tied or groomed. So the first many months were spent feeding him, teaching him the basics and for him to slowly getting used to the idea of being ridden. He is still undergoing basic training, hence he is only ridden by the staff at Villa Stabbia
Ghibli was born in 2009 and is dark greyish brown. As he grows older, he will slowly become more and more grey, which has started on his face already. For news of his arrival at Villa Stabbia - click here
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Spiky - the pale appaloosa - living at Villa Stabbia
Very light on his feet and quick to move away if anything seems slightly scary - but he is also incredibly curious - so will return almost immediately to check out, what could possible be so scary.
Spiky arrived here at Villa Stabbia together with Ghibli - and they have become inseparably friends. Like his best mate, Spiky had never worn a saddle, hence his training started as soon as he arrived.
For news of his arrival at Villa Stabbia - click here
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Paquita - the sweetest andalusian living at Villa Stabbia
At birth, Paquita resembled much more her father Edil VII, a bay PRE - Pura Raza Española, having his colour and star though not his hind white sock, however she slowly started to change colour to dark grey and has become the much wanted mini-copy of Pioggia.
Not surprisingly, Paquita is very spoiled and accustomed to be handled and cuddled. Actually she seems to think it is our duty to spend most of the day just telling her how pretty she is and scratch her all over.
Pioggia herself chose the two horses she trusted enough to spend time with Paquita. Zurina was an obvious choice, also since Zurina immediately assumed the aunt role.
Paquita di Villa Stabbia was born on the 11th of July 2013, 30 min before midnight. She was brownish at birth with a white star. Later she turned dark grey, but will most likely become dapple gray like her mother. For news of her birth at Villa Stabbia - click here
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Private Horses Stabled at Villa Stabbia - and those who have moved on
Impe is chest-nut coloured with a long white blaze and two white socks.
Wince is palomino coloured with a long white blaze
Giana is chest-nut coloured with a long white blaze and three white socks.
Asso is totally black, with black mane and tail.
She was slowly introduced to dressage, which she seemed quite adapted for, though her strength was trail rides. Nabiria was incredible secure on her feet and with an energy that left most other horses trail behind.
Unknown to us when buying her, she had shown tendencies for sweet itch, an allergy towards mites that makes the horse scratch and scratch. During the summer this allergy intensified and although it became manageable during the winter, we did not want her to go though another summer suffering due to her allergy.
Nabiria moved away from Villa Stabbia in April 2006. Today she lives in a mountainous area of Emilia Romagna, where she is used for trail riding competitions by time.
Nabiria (Maremmana mare) was born in 2002 and is dark bay without any marking.
Dukakis was at first accepted by all except Zurina. She refused to have him in the group, however after working his charm on her for a week, she allowed him to stay. In fact - they were often seen grazing close together, Dukakis admiring the beauty of Zurina and her tolerating him......
Unfortunately Dukakis had quite a few injuries the last years he stayed at Villa Stabbia, all obtained when playing in the group. The last one, a broken jaw, caused us to rethink what was best for him. At the age of 24, his hearing was failing and he didn't always notice when the mares warned him, hence he was often pushed around by them.
Dukakis moved away from Villa Stabbia in September 2013. Today he stays at a sheep farm, where he, together with another chest-nut coloured arab (even same age), spends his time eating the grass, looking pretty and being available for cuddles whenever one of the residents of the farm have time.
Dukakis (arab gelding) was born in 1989 and is chest-nut coloured with a long white blaze and a white sock.
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