| One of the famous Portuguese exports in the | | | | the name in the Portuguese Stud Book to identify the |
| Equestrian world is the Lusitano horse breed that is | | | | horse with the characteristics of the breed we know |
| now the favorite in many countries that have an | | | | today as Lusitano, that the name of the breed |
| equestrian tradition. Apart from Portugal, you can see | | | | became known and it was only in 1967 when it was |
| a thriving breed of Lusitano horse in France, Brazil and | | | | officially recognized as part of Portugal's heritage. |
| Mexico. Needless to say, the major European | | | | Other Breeds |
| countries with the same tradition have them as well | | | | There are two other less known Portuguese horse |
| like Italy, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, | | | | breeds that trace a common ancestry with the Iberian |
| Spain, the Netherlands and the UK. You can also see | | | | Pony and the Iberian Horse. These are the Garrano |
| them in the US, and Asian countries like Thailand and | | | | and the Sorraia breed, respectively. The Garrano is |
| the Philippines as well as African and Latin American | | | | more of a pony with its bulkier neck profile and short |
| countries. | | | | legs which had their features drawn in the prehistoric |
| So what makes the Lusitano horse the best | | | | cave drawings in Altamira and La Pasiega. |
| Portuguese horse breed and one of the best | | | | The Sorraia, on the other hand, is more horse-like with |
| thoroughbreds in the world? It's the regal stature and | | | | a taller stature but without the grace and commanding |
| demeanor as well as walking gait that makes it no less | | | | presence of the Lusitano. It has been depicted in the |
| a match to the regal aristocrats and royalties | | | | cave drawings in La Pileta (Malaga, Spain) dated from |
| anywhere on the planet, particularly among the elite in | | | | 20.000 B.C. and at Escoural (Alentejo, Portugal) dated |
| Europe where equestrian games and sports figure | | | | between 17.000 B.C. and 13.000 B.C. and was first |
| prominently as the pastime of the rich and famous. | | | | spotted by Dr. Ruy D'Andrade in 1945 roaming the |
| The Lusitano horse didn't start out as what it is today, | | | | valley where the Sor and Raia river tributaries merged, |
| but is more a product of interbreeding with foreign | | | | hence the name – Sorraia. |
| horses introduced into the Iberian Peninsula by | | | | Both breeds are now seen mostly in rural farming |
| conquering armies of Carthage, Rome and Arabia | | | | communities as a means of transport and for farming |
| over the last two thousand years. It wasn't until 1942, | | | | purposes. |
| when the veterinarians of the National Stud registered | | | | |