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Introduction.

Throughout history, reference is found of an ancient breed called the Iberian horse. Named for the Iberian Peninsula in Europe, which today is composed of Spain and Portugal, this magnificent animal was renowned through the centuries for its athleticism, courage, and kind temperament, as well as its majestic bearing and beauty. In modern times, the Iberian horse is credited as the source of two closely related breeds – the Andalusian of Spain and the Lusitano of Portugal.

The distinction between the Andalusian and the Lusitano was only made about 70 years ago, when Spain decided to maintain its own studbook. The Spanish refer to their horses as Pura Raza Espanola (PRE), which translates to Pure Spanish Horse, and the Cria Caballar of Spain administers the breed worldwide. In the United States, the International Andalusian Lusitano Horse Association (IALHA) maintains a registry for both Andalusians and Lusitanos.

History.

Research indicates that the Iberian horse was being ridden as early as 4000 – 3000 BC, with evidence suggesting that cavalries were used in times of war as early as 2000 BC. Xenophon, the Greek cavalry officer and writer generally recognized as the father of classical horsemanship, noted the “gifted Iberian horses” that helped the Spartans defeat the Athenians around 450 BC. In the Second Punic War (218-210 BC), Hannibal defeated the Romans several times through the use of cavalry forces mounted on Iberian horses. However, the Romans eventually conquered the Iberian Peninsula. So impressed were the Romans by the Iberian horses and cavalry that they established stud farms of their own in the region to provide mounts for their military campaigns in Britain and elsewhere.

The Romans not only adopted the Iberian horses, they also adopted the Iberian cavalry’s battle style. The “airs above the ground” made famous by the Lipizzan stallions of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna were originally developed by the Iberian cavalry for battle purposes. This type of military use of the Iberian horse continued for many centuries, until the increasing use of heavy armor for mounted knights resulted in the need for a larger draft-type horse, and the Iberian horse was slowly displaced as a war mount. However, this was eventually reversed as the development of firearms rekindled the need for a lighter, more agile horse. The Iberian horse, which by this time was often referred to as the Spanish horse, regained its favor as a cavalry mount.

At the same time, the nobility of numerous European countries discovered and developed the art of dressage, where the maneuvers used in battle evolved into a classical style of training and riding. Royal riding academies were established to foster this new art, and the Spanish horse was recognized as the ideal dressage mount. In fact, the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, famed home of the white Lipizzan stallions, was so named because Spanish horses were originally used there, and were a predominant factor in the foundation of the Lipizzan breed.

Yet another use, and one for which the Andalusian is particularly recognized, developed in Spain and Portugal – mounted bullfighting. In this death-defying endeavor, the breed’s famed agility, quickness, courage and intelligence are put to an incredible test as horse and rider face a fierce full-grown bull. Although mounted bullfighting in Spain lost favor for a period of time and was replaced by bullfighting on foot, it has continued unabated in Portugal since medieval times, and was eventually reintroduced in Spain. Interestingly, the cessation of mounted bullfighting in Spain is often considered the point at which the development of the Andalusian and the Lusitano began to diverge.

Foundation.

Cave drawings and fossil remains dating back over 20,000 years found on the Iberian Peninsula provide solid evidence that horses existed in the area in prehistoric times. Perhaps even more remarkable is the fact that the horses in these cave drawings bear a striking resemblance to the Andalusian as we know it today. However, this means the foundation of this ancient breed will never be known.

Type.

Standing 15.2-16.2 hands on average, the Andalusian’s overall appearance is one of depth and power combined with elegance and agility. The head is rectangular and fairly dry-boned, with large, kind, expressive eyes and a broad forehead. The profile is straight or slightly convex. The neck is moderately long, strong and arched, with a crest especially evident in stallions. His body is short-coupled and deep, with broad, powerful hindquarters. The mane and tail are thick and abundant, with the tail set relatively low and tight against the body. His temperament is proud but very kind and intelligent, leading to his modern-day success in all types of equine sports.

Colors.

Although Spanish horses were originally seen in all colors, 80 percent of today’s Andalusians are gray or white, 15 percent are bay, and 5 percent are black.