Tuscany is a very attractive mare with jaw dropping movement. Would be a wonderful single driving horse. I have never ridden her or driving her myself. I had several people ride her and only one "driving" people drive her. She was last ridden and driven in 2005. I bought her in March 2005 at a Amish driving sale. I really liked her flashy movement and cobby looks. The Amish man was riding her around all the chaos of the sale and she well behaved. He also told me she was a great driving horse. I planned to have her retrained as a potential lesson horse for the local barn. I put her in dressage training right away and after a month of time my trainer said I was wasting my money because every day was like a new day for Tuscany. She didn't seem to progress at all. To be fair to Tuscany....my trainer does little groundwork or trust building....she likes to get in the saddle right away. One thing we noticed was that she was ultra sensitive about kissing noises. We tried to desensitize her but it seem to make her more edgy. Soooo I sent her to a more western type horse breaker and he rode her up and down the roads. He told me she was OK for most stuff, but was very sensitive to the riders movements, voice etc... She never threw him but he said they went down into a ditch and she went into a bucking fit on the way up when he got a little unbalanced because of a muddy hole. He of course stuck on her, but told me she would be a unpredictable horse under saddle and maybe driving was the way to go. Sooooo I sent her to my friends who deal with driving horses and the wife got on and rode her and she was doing fine until the wife went to adjust her leg and she went into a bucking fit and threw the lady...breaking or twisting her wrist (I think). Soooo we discussed it and decided she may be too sensitive or even cold backed for riding and we should try driving. I just talShe did pretty good with driving but was "hot". I asked if she was a run away or dangerous or scared of traffic and he said no...but that she was an Amish broke horse...meaning she gets from point A to point B in a hurry. He said she was fine for harnessing and traffic and dogs and such but just in a hurry and sentitive to the persons commands or kissing. Oh forgot to mention that right after I got her before sending her to training I had her bred (for the first time) to Nico the Pinto Dutch Friesian stallion.
So after she came home that fall of 2005, she has done anything major except have 3 foals (Nico's pinto gelding, Wedderlie Mardi Gras pinto gelding, and one being an embryo tranfer Warmblood filly) and hang out with the other horses. She has had to be trailered and preg/heat checked numerous times so she is great for that. Walks right onto the trailer and into the stocks at the vet school. She has had to be clipped and bathed here or there also. I tie her tail up in the winter which she doesn't mind. She ties and cross ties. Fine for flyspray and blanketing. She hates clippers so I usually twitch her.....she doesn't mind the legs but near the ears and muzzle really gets to her. She is fine for the farrier and vet but usually starts off kind of snorty and head high. She responds well to soft spoken praise and treats. She is very sensitive to voice so if she is trying to steal someones food I just growl her name and she stops. She NEVER needs a slap or and kind of rough correction....she will not forget it very easily. She has never tried to bite, kick or strike.....she just looks like she is gonna blow up but she doesn't. She usually tries to run if it gets too much for her to handle. I can catch her pretty easily unless I have something suspicious in my hand or am in a hurry....then she can be suspicious but only runs away 10 to 20 feet and then turns and faces me. I have always handled her with a regular halter and no chain but at the Embryo Transfer Filly's inspection she had a bit in her mouth which was great in case she did get worked up....which she didn't.
She is the boss mare around here but never nasty or cruel. She loves geldings and is kind to the foals. She loves her withers being scratched and enjoys bathes on hot buggy days. She LOVES food so treats make good training tools or help calm her down. Sometimes I just have to remind her that instead of being worried about what is about to happen maybe you can enjoy it....and she does. She is a VERY easy keeper. Has been barefoot her whole life and has great feet. Never has been sick or lame. UTD on everything. Has a tail to die for. Very healthy and hardy. Stands 15.1 ish.
I have noticed that she does very well with daily repitition. For example... When she is in her last month of gestation I usually brush her daily and scratch her belly and back and bathe her regularly, etc... She really seems to connect with me at these times and losses all the nervousness. She even seems to look forward to our times together. She likes knowing what to expect....she is not into surprises!....LOL Also there is a huge difference in the Tuscany I bought in 2005 to the one I have now. Everything is more toned down and more easily controlled. I can talk her into anything and she trusts me and my hubby on day to day activities. OH...RC airplanes are her enemy....my hubby did that.....The sound freaks her out...but like I said nothing we can't handle.
She is a gorgeous little mare. The most beautiful head and spectacular movement.....not dressage movement....driving movement...very flashy!
And after she was so well behaved at this year's Oldenburg inspection I have alot more faith in her. BUT she still needs someone who will take the time daily to bond with her for a couple of months before throwing a harness on. I would say start back at square one and retrain her just to be sure. At the inspection....all the usual things that get her wild eyed and snorty such as coming at her fast with something in your hand, standing on the mounting block next to her, several people touching her all at once, loud noises, etc......didn't bother her a bit. She was so mellow....like she had done it a million times. But just recently when PBS come out to tape our farm, I grabbed her in a hurry to clip her bridle path (which is her worst fear....clippers....especially near the ears and muzzle) and she was very nervous and pulling away and such. She doesn't kick or strike....but if she gets really scared she drags you around with her halter. I am sure she could sense me being in a hurry and less gentle and she got worked up. But we got it done and she was an angel for the camara crew even the mic overhead didn't bother her. I think she would do just fine for a gentle and patient person who takes their time with her. If she was a total idiotic knothead...believe me I wouldn't have kept her so long. She is a lovely mare who the Amish scared. She would be soooooo flashy as a single driving horse! I am willing to negociate her price to the right home and if she doesn't work out I would take her back.....but I wouldn't pay for shipping. I just don't ever want her in a bad situation or in a sale barn. Hope that helps.
She had a chestnut and white big colt in 2006 out of Nico, year off in 2007, a chestnut and white pony colt in 2008 out of Wedderlie Mardi Gras (also for sale....will do a package deal for the two), a ET filly in 2009, and is currently open. No problems breeding or foaling....did retain placenta in 2006. She is a great broodmare and happiest that way.
I was told her sire was a Belgium/Paint and the dam was saddlebred maybe....cant remember the dam...but probably something with flashy movement and a pretty head and neck. UTD on everything including dental. Comes with a Coggins and Health certificate and nice halter and lead. Must be an experienced horse person due to the description above. Absolutely NOT a riding prospect!