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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.

Throughout much of history Spain and Portugal were a single region, broken into sub-regions with various names. At one point the entire peninsula was called Al-Andalus, which undoubtedly led to the Andalusian breed name. Eventually, however, one specific region of Spain came to be called Andalusia. As a result, Andalusian breeders in Spain felt an unfair advantage was given to farms located in that province, so in 1912 Spain established a new studbook and a new name – Pura Raza Espanola (PRE) – which means Pure Spanish Horse. Despite the name, breeders continued to use horses from both Spain and Portugal until the Portuguese decided to establish their own breed registry, the Associacao Portuguesa De Criadores Do Pura Sangue Lusitano (APSL), in the late 1960’s.

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.

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.

Today’s Lusitanos compete in many disciplines, including hunter and western pleasure, dressage suitability, show hack, hunter hack, pleasure driving, formal driving, carriage driving, contemporary and historical costume classes, long reining, and trail. The breed’s predisposition for collected work makes it a natural for dressage. The Lusitano is noted for forming an intimate bond with his rider, resulting in a smooth, obedient performance, full of both energy and gentleness. In its native Portugal the Lusitano is still also used for mounted bullfighting – perhaps the best example of this remarkable breed’s agility, intelligence, and courage.

Colors.

Although gray and bay are favored, the Lusitano can be any solid color.