Where did the Andalusian horse originate?

Answer 1

The Lusitano is from Portugal. Spain and Portugal used to share studbooks, but strife within the industry caused them to split their studbooks in the 1960s, which resulted in two separate breeds, the Pura Raza Espanola (more commonly referred to in the United States as the Andalusian) in Spain and the Lusitano in Portugal. They already were two separate breeds before the splitting of the studbooks, but there was more interbreeding before. Chances are that if you have a Lusitano, there are Andalusians somewhere in their family history, and vise versa.

Answer 2

The horse of the Iberian Peninsula is one of the ancient breeds of the world. It, along with the Arabian and Barb strains, founded nearly all of the other recognized breeds known to modern man. The Spanish and Portuguese horse was well known to the Romans as a superior war horse due to his strength and agility. Julius Caesar wrote of the noble steeds of Hipanasia in Del Bello Gallico. Hannibal used them in his invasion of Italy. Later we read of many of the knights of Richard I mounted on "Airy Spanish Destriers."

The Greek philosopher and cavalry officer, Xenophon expressed in his treatise, On Horsemanship, dated approximately 400 B.C. and still relevant today: "Of horses such as these even gods and heroes will appear and men who know how to work well with them look magnificent!"

In 1667, The Duke of Newcastle wrote: If well chosen it is the noblest horse in the world, the most beautiful that can be. He is of great spirit and of great courage and docile; hath the proudest trot and the best action in his trot, the loftiest gallop, and is the lovingest and gentlest horse, and fittest of all for a king in his day of triumph!

Originally founded in 1580, the Imperial Stud in Lipizza used foundation stock of mares and stallions imported from Spain to create the Lippizzaner breed of horse that was to be used in the school. By 1735 the Spanish Riding School was established in the Winter Riding Hall in the center of Vienna.

Over time, Spanish blood has been reintroduced into the Lippizzaners, to maintain their original qualities, and the School has continued on into present day as a living monument to the art of classical equitation, bearing the name that pays tribute to Austria's like with Spain and its high regard for the qualities inherent in the Spanish horse.

Perhaps one of the most impressive facts regarding this extraordinary breed is that the qualities so much admired in him today remain entirely unchanged from those of the Iberian horse of centuries ago. He has been used to help create new breeds and to improve and strengthen existing ones, thereby providing the greatest single influence upon the equine races existing in the world today, whilst himself remaining constant and magnificent in the unchanged image of his ancestors.

The Andalusian is a most impressive sight, with his sculptural beauty, proud bearing and natural high action. The horse is strongly built and yet extremely elegant; naturally high-stepping yet with catlike agility; while he presents a picture of spirited animation under saddle or led in hand he is at all times perfectly amenable to the will of the person controlling him and has a friendly, docile temperament. The Andalusian's beauty lies in the balanced symmetry of his noble proportions, and he was for centuries used as a model by sculptors of Europe. The head is majestic, with large, kind, well-set eyes, a broad forehead and well-placed ears. The neck is reasonably long, broad and strong. Usually white, gray or bay; there are a few rare blacks. The Andalusian has a luxuriant mane and tail and stands 15.2 to 16.2 hands.

The Andalusian's temperament is exceptional; his calm, good temper and ease of handling is to be found even in serving stallions of the breed. Although the Andalusian is docile, he moves with a tremendous amount of elegant animation.

About this treasured breed, Ronald Duncan wrote:

He serves without servility; he has fought without enmity

There is nothing so powerful, nothing less violent

There is nothing so quick, nothing so patient

We are his heirs.

He is our inheritance.