| ndalusian horse is one of the oldest pure horse breeds | | | | Andalusians was hidden and was used to renew the |
| in the world. It has been highly regarded since the | | | | breed. In 1832, an epidemic devastated Spain's horse |
| Middle Ages and reigned for several centuries as the | | | | population and only a small herd of Andalusians at the |
| embodiment of perfection, but Spanish horses have | | | | Monastery of Cartuja survived. In order to re-establish |
| always been esteemed for their quality and | | | | their breeding programs, exportation of an Andalusian |
| appearance since Roman times. | | | | became illegal without Royal consent and the penalty |
| The Andalusian has officially been known as the | | | | for exporting this treasured horse was death. No |
| Purebred Spanish Horse, and has been represented | | | | Andalusians were exported until 1962. |
| by Iberian Saddle Horse, Iberian War Horse, Jennet, | | | | However, now the Andalusian's numbers are growing |
| Ginete, Lusitano, Alter Real, Carthusian, Spanish Horse, | | | | around the world. In 2005 there were approximately |
| Portuguese, Peninsular, Castilian, Extremeno, Villanos, | | | | 400 Andalusians registered in Canada. In the United |
| Zapata, and Zamaranos. It is also known as the | | | | States, it is still a unique breed, but the population has |
| Lusitano Horse, which is the modern breed of | | | | risen to around 5400 horses. The total number of |
| Andalusian in Portugal. And since black is a rare color | | | | Andalusian (Lusitano) horses registered with IALHA in |
| in the Andalusian breed, there is also a black Spanish | | | | 2008 is approximately. 11,000. |
| Andalusian or Pura Raza Espanola (PRE) horse of | | | | In physical appearance, the Andalusian is a compact |
| Spain. | | | | horse with a distinguished appearance and excellent |
| The Andalusian Horse originated in the province of | | | | proportions which balance well with their graceful, yet |
| Andalusia on the Iberian Peninsula, in Spain, where | | | | substantial bodies. The Andalusian has a natural |
| 2500 year old cave paintings portray the breed. Its | | | | balance, collection, impulsion, and agility. They are |
| ancestors are the Iberian horses of Spain and Portugal, | | | | between 15.1 to 16.1 hands high with the average being |
| which in turn were influenced by Celtic, Carthaginian, | | | | 15.2 hands. |
| Germanic, and Roman horses; and the Barb horse | | | | The Andalusian is known for its abundantly thick mane |
| which was brought to Spain by the invading Moors in | | | | that flows from a long, elegant, well-arched but |
| the Seventh Century. These oriental horses were | | | | substantial neck, with stallions having more of a crest |
| crossed with quality native Spanish stock, and the | | | | than mares. The classic profile is a long head with |
| result was the Andalusian. | | | | broad forehead, small ears, large eyes, and a flat or |
| The Andalusian has been a major part of the | | | | slightly convex nose. The shoulders are well-sloped |
| development of many other horse breeds, including | | | | and the withers are well defined. The massive chest |
| being the foundation breed for the Lipizzaner horses | | | | and powerful hindquarters are lean and the long, thick, |
| used in Vienna's Spanish Riding School in the 1500's. | | | | flowing tail should be low set. The breed has strong, |
| The breed has also been part of the development of | | | | medium legs with very energetic high knee action and |
| the Irish Connemara, most German warmblood breeds, | | | | short striding. |
| the Cleveland Bay of England, and the Peruvian Paso | | | | Approximately 80% of the Andalusians are Gray, |
| of the new world. The Azteca is an Andalusian | | | | (Torca, Ruca), 15% Bay (Castana, Castanha), and 5% |
| Quarter Horse cross while the Iberian Warmblood is an | | | | black. The following colors are also acceptable but |
| Andalusian/Thoroughbred cross. The Spanish Norman | | | | rarely seen: Black Bay, Brown, Chestnut, Buckskin, Dun, |
| is an Andalusian/Percheron cross and the Hispano | | | | Palomino, Cremello (Isabella), Perlino, Roan. Other colors |
| Arab is an Andalusian/Arab cross. | | | | are rare or believed to be non-existent in the purebred |
| The Andalusian is mentioned in various historical texts | | | | Andalusian but may be accepted with proper |
| dating as far back as Homer's Iliad, written in 1100 BC. | | | | documentation including parentage verification and |
| Xenophon, a Greek cavalry officer who lived in or | | | | photos. All dark spots within white markings or on pink |
| near 450 BC, also praised the "gifted Iberian horses" | | | | skin must be recorded on the registration application |
| for their role in the Spartan's defeat of Athens. In the | | | | for and the color of all hooves must be noted |
| Second Punic War (218-201 BC), the Romans were | | | | especially if they are striped. |
| defeated by the Iberian cavalry, and more than 1,200 | | | | Andalusian Horses possess a proud but docile, calm |
| years later William the Conqueror rode an Iberian | | | | temperament. The breed is renowned for its ability to |
| horse into the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The Spanish | | | | learn quickly and easily when treated with respect. |
| explorer, Hernando Cortes, brought Andalusians to | | | | They are sensitive, intelligent, and particularly |
| America for his conquests. | | | | responsive and cooperative with a very willing nature. |
| As the middle ages progressed, heavier breeds of | | | | The International Andalusian & Lusitano Horse |
| horses that were capable of carrying fully armored | | | | Association is the association that maintains a registry |
| knights began to gain favor over the Adalusian as war | | | | for Purebred Andalusians and Half-Andalusians and is |
| mounts. When firearms were invented, a more agile | | | | also the official representative of the Lusitano Horse |
| horse became desirable, and the Andalusion was | | | | (the modern breed of Andalusian in Portugal) in the |
| again back in favor. This new type of warfare | | | | USA and Canada. |
| ushered in a new era for the breed, when it became | | | | As for genetic anomalies, veterinarians do not yet |
| known as the "royal horse of Europe." During this | | | | know if Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis |
| period, Andalusian horses were present at nearly | | | | (DSLD) has its roots in genetics, overuse of affected |
| every European court as the favored mount for the | | | | limbs, hormone fluctuations (previously-sound |
| nobles and played an integral role in the new riding | | | | broodmares may develop symptoms of DSLD around |
| academies that were forming throughout Europe, | | | | foaling time), or if it is some combination of these |
| where the art of dressage. The Andalusian is still used | | | | factors. Although the condition is probably best known |
| in bull fighting in Southern Spain. | | | | in gaited breeds (American Saddlebreds, Peruvian |
| Andalusian horses owe a great deal to the Carthusian | | | | Pasos, Peruvian crosses, Standardbreds, and National |
| Monks who bred them, beginning in the late Middle | | | | Show Horses), it has also been diagnosed in Arabians, |
| Ages. In the late 1400's, studs and bloodlines were | | | | Thoroughbreds, and Andalusians. |
| founded at monasteries in Terez, Seville, and Cazallo. | | | | But all that aside, this versatile breed can be found |
| The monks were excellent breeders and trainers, and | | | | competing in dressage, driving, jumping, cutting and |
| kept their horses pure. However, that purity was | | | | cattle work. It is ridden under both English and Western |
| threatened in the 1800's when Napoleon invaded Spain | | | | saddle. Their stunning presence and charisma makes |
| and his army stole many horses. This caused the | | | | them an asset to any show ring, exhibition or parade. |
| Andalusian breed to decline in numbers and it came | | | | With its love of people, the Andalusian is an ideal family |
| close to extinction. Fortunately, one herd of | | | | horse. |