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History and Origin of the Breed:
The
Andalusian originated in and gained its name from the Spanish providence of
Andalusia. Its ancestors are the Iberian horses of Spain and Portugal.
Less then 60 years ago, the distinction was made between an Andalusian and a
Lusitano horse. The Spanish now refer to their horses as Pura Raza
Espanola (Pure Spanish Horse or PRE) and keep their own studbook. In much
of the world, this horse is now referred to as the Andalusian. The
Portuguese horse is called "Lusitano", taking its name from the ancient Roman
name for Portugal, Lusitania paintings of horses have been discovered on the
Iberian Peninsula in southern Spain dating to 20,000 to 30,000 B.C. These
prehistoric horses are considered the foundation of the Andalusian. Most
experts agree that the breed was sculpted over the centuries by the various
people and cultures who occupied Spain throughout its long history.
Throughout the centuries, the Iberian horse has been influenced by the horses
brought to the Iberian Peninsula by various groups like the Celts of France, the
Carthaginians from North Africa, the Romans, various Germanic tribes and the
Moors. By the 15th century, the Andalusian itself began to influence
various other breeds. Renowned as one of the world's premier war horses, the
ancestors of today's Andalusian played prominent roles in the service of some of
history's greatest warriors.
Some
researchers believe that the Iberian horse was being ridden perhaps as early as
4,000-3,000 BC. when the Phoenicians arrived in Iberia in 2,000 BC and the
Greeks in 1,000 BC, the Iberian cavalry was already a formidable foe, and the
Iberian horse was regarded as the war horse without equal. Homer mentions
the Iberian horses in the Iliad, written about 1,100 BC. The famous Greek
cavalry officer, Xenophon, highly praised the "gifted Iberian horses" and their
role in helping Sparta defeat the Athenians around 450 BC. Hannibal, in
the second Punic War (218-201 BC), defeated the invading Romans several times
through the use of the Iberian cavalry. This military use of the Iberian
horse continued unabated with William the Conqueror ultimately riding an Iberian
horse in the Battle of Hastings in 1066. While hailed as "the premier war
horse", the Iberian horse was also well known for its trusting and kind
disposition.
When
heavily armored knights began to constitute the majority of the armed forces of
Europe the Andalusian was briefly displaced as the most popular war horse.
However, after the introduction of firearms, the Iberian horse once again became
the mount of choice for royalty and cavalry officers. New means of riding
were introduced, often drawn from the writings of Xenophon. The Iberian
horse was the favorite horse of the new, rapid and agile mounted armies.
Soon thereafter, the
Iberian horse became the "royal horse of Europe" present at every royal court.
Grand riding academies were formed in countries all across Europe including
Austria, France, Italy and Germany. It was in these academies where
dressage and high school riding began and flourished. The Iberian horse
was the favored mount of these academies because of its impulsion, forward
motion and catlike agility. The Duke of Newcastle, in 1667, wrote of the
Andalusian, "it is the noblest horse in the world, the most beautiful that can
be. He is the great spirit and of great courage and docile; hath the proudest
trot and the best action in his trot, the loftiest gallop, and it the lovingest
and gentlest horse, and fittest of all for a king in his day of triumph."
It was the Andalusian that served as the foundation for the Lipizzaner of the
famed Spanish Riding School in Vienna. It also played a role in the
development of most of the German warm bloods, Ireland's Connemara and England's
Cleveland Bay, as well as many breeds developed in the New World like the
American Quarter Horse and Peruvian Paso.
Today
the Andalusian horse displays an amazing versatility that has, in fact, been
present for centuries. The andalusian's age old attributes of strength,
athleticism, impulsion and kind temperament are still the fundamental
characteristics of the breed. In the United States, the Andalusian horse
completes in dressage, jumping, driving - both pleasure and competitive, trail,
western pleasure and English pleasure. IN addition, it's a parade and
exhibition horse without peer. Of course, we cannot forget that the
Andalusian, with its love of people, is an absolutely wonderful family horse.
In Spain and Portugal, the Iberian horse displays the ultimate courage, agility,
collection and cunning as it faces the fierce Iberian bull, both in and out of
the bull-fighting arena. But whenever the Andalusian is found and whatever
the Andalusian does, it displays the proud, docile temperament for which it has
been prized for millennia.
Breed Characteristics:
The
Andalusian is strongly built, yet extremely elegant. The typical Andalusian
stands 15.2 to 16.2 hands. Its head is of medium length, rectangular and
lean, and in profile, is slightly convex or straight with a broad forehead and
well-placed ears. The eyes are large and kind, alive, oval and placed
within an orbital arch. The neck is reasonably long, broad, yet elegant
and well-crested in stallions. The mane is thick and abundant.
Well-defined withers precede a short back; the quarters are broad and strong.
The croup is rounded and of medium length. The tail is usually abundant,
long, set low and lies tightly against the body. approximately 80% of
Andalusians are white or some shades of gray, 15% are bay and less than 5% are
black, dun or palomino. In the early history of the breed all colors were
found, including spotted.
The
Andalusian possesses a proud but docile temperament. The Andalusian is sensitive
and particularly intelligent, responsive and cooperative, learning quickly and
easily when treated with respect and care.
Breed Organizations
The International Andalusian and
Lusitano Horse Association brings together owners and breeders with the
interested public who wish to know more about the breed and where an Andalusian
can be seen and purchased. IALHA is the largest Andalusian member
organization in the world with over 850 members. IALHA is dedicated to
education, promotion and preservation of the Andalusian breed. In addition
to sponsoring clinics and sanctioned shows. IALHA publishes a bi-monthly
magazine, the "Andalusian"
and an annual Directory and Handbook.
Additional Information:
- INTERNATIONAL
ANDALUSIAN and LUSITANO HORSE ASSOCIATION
101
Carnoustie N. #200, Shoal Creek, AL 3524
Tel:
(205) 995-8900 Fax: (205) 995-8966
Email: IALHAF@aol.com
Information
resources:
International Andalusian and Lusitano Association
The International Museum of the Horse, 1999
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Andalusian Horse Information
